G40 Balance Mod - Feedback Thread

[farmboy]

I buy them a lot and have used them with each power. The USSR is the only one where I wouldn’t normally buy except in the rare situation where that cruiser survives and an opportunity arises for me to be able to threaten Germany with it. I agree that they are more useful early game and to go with BBs and cruisers that I expect to survive long enough to be able to use them. And I won’t buy new ones unless I have a bb and cruiser to carry them (and I don’t typically buy battleships or cruisers). Transports will often be the better buy, but mariness can be a comparatively cheap way to add (to) an amphibious threat. I’ll also typically limit the number of transports I have to the number of land units I can expect to produce to load them with (so for example, I won’t usually have more than 5 UK transports near the UK since I can never build more than 10 land units there), So having marines gives me a way to increase by attack power without building transports that will end up being wasted some turns.

I’d say the bigger issue is that cruisers and battleships are not typically worth buying. If they were, there would be more reason to buy marines.

[simon33]

I don’t really feel that they add value but they are there and seems like they will stay there.

[axis-dominion]

sorry if this has been proposed before, but i’d like to propose that battleships can carry up to 2 marines

[gamerman01]

Recently, there have been rumbles in the league discussion thread about modifying a little more, like altering some other unit costs (after all, bombers were changed)
https://www.axisandallies.org/forums/topic/30807/league-general-discussion-thread/14

I will remind players of this BM feedback thread.

[gamerman01]

Passing on an observation from a player who is examining the Balanced Mod closely for the first time.

@crockett36 is an experienced A&A player, is or has been in Larry Harris’ inner circle and has playtested games. He knows A&A, but is new to the Balanced Mod v 4.

After going over all the modified rules with him last night,
Crockett36 flatly said “the balanced mod is not balanced”

(What?)

First, consider that in the league where almost TWO THOUSAND balanced mod games have been played, it is mostly settled that the Allies are taking more than 20 bid in BM4.

Crockett36 pointed out the Axis need to have urgency (should need to achieve winning conditions before the Allies become so strong the Axis are overwhelmed)

Some of the many (rather major) improvements of the Balanced Mod: making new NO’s that are quite attainable for the USA, the UK, Russia, and India, which all make total sense.
What if the Allies’ income increased automatically after some number of rounds?
In a game that introduces the detailed, thorough Vichy rules,
In a game where the USA gets 3 minor complexes turned into 3 major complexes automatically at a certain point, in a game with Mongolia rules, and Sino-Russo DOW modifications, it seems to me to be consistent to modify the rules for increasing Allied production later in the game. Perhaps the USA especially, but perhaps Russia also automatically get increasing incomes (not necessarily every round).

Now I’m just brainstorming there, but I think you get the idea:
The Axis should have a situation more like Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia in the Death Star trash compactor, but of course we still want 50/50 chance to win.

Gamer out, I’m supposed to be playing Adam.

[Amon-Sul]

Does anybody think we should alter mech infantry to cost more (5) and maybe have some more benefits?

Why does marine cost 5?

Germany is constantly swarming mech infantry. Italy and Japan use it much too.

Who buys mechs with allies? Maybe UK a little, Russia a little.

I dont like those guys (mech infantry). They can blitz with a tank, they can move in NCM over newly captured territory without a tank present.

any comments?

[Amon-Sul]

@Amon-Sul said in G40 Balance Mod - Feedback Thread:

Does anybody think we should alter mech infantry to cost more (5) and maybe have some more benefits?

Why does marine cost 5?

Germany is constantly swarming mech infantry. Italy and Japan use it much too.

Who buys mechs with allies? Maybe UK a little, Russia a little.

I dont like those guys (mech infantry). They can blitz with a tank, they can move in NCM over newly captured territory without a tank present.

any comments?

people rarely buy artillery and tanks (especially with axis).

swarming mech inf and infantry.

Can mech inf cost 4 and be reduced in quality?

[simon33]

I’m not sure if you are interested in feedback any more but here goes:

So I’ve come to the conclusion that Vichy is a fools’ errand for the Axis. Biggest factor in this is that taking Normandy adds negative value for the Axis, except in a Sea Lion game. Axis are much smarter to just leave Normandy French. Obviously, this isn’t the only issue for the game or my record would be covered with victories.

The problem is that we have all these complicated rules for what happens when the Axis do something that they should not do. Why do we have this?

[gamerman01]

I’m not on the team, and I hear you, but I think the best reply is,

Vichy is an optional rule, not considered to be base balanced Mod, but an optional add-on, as in, if both players agree.

[simon33]

@gamerman01 but the problem is that it is indeed part of the standard rule set

[gamerman01]

Ah, it does say “intended for play with the G40 Balanced Mod” in Triple A notes and in the text of rules posted on the forum.

So it’s open to interpretation a little, isn’t it? My perspective is you wouldn’t say “intended for play” if it was inseparable. Sounds like it’s an optional module.

Furthermore “use Vichy rules” is a checkbox in the game setup in TripleA. They wouldn’t do that if it was part and parcel.

To be 100% sure, you need a Mod Squad team member to confirm.

[simon33]

@gamerman01 said in G40 Balance Mod - Feedback Thread:

Furthermore “use Vichy rules” is a checkbox in the game setup in TripleA. They wouldn’t do that if it was part and parcel.

Pretty sure I put that in.

[Adam514]

@simon33 said in G40 Balance Mod - Feedback Thread:

I’m not sure if you are interested in feedback any more but here goes:

So I’ve come to the conclusion that Vichy is a fools’ errand for the Axis. Biggest factor in this is that taking Normandy adds negative value for the Axis, except in a Sea Lion game. Axis are much smarter to just leave Normandy French. Obviously, this isn’t the only issue for the game or my record would be covered with victories.

The problem is that we have all these complicated rules for what happens when the Axis do something that they should not do. Why do we have this?

I disagree with a lot of what you said in terms of what is better for the Axis, but if you are of the opinion that Vichy isn’t good for the Axis, what is the problem? There’s only a problem if Vichy is the obvious move, and it isn’t. So I fail to see the issue.

[simon33]

Thanks for your answer. I was reading something the other day that you often move a German fleet into the Med. If you wanted to do that, with the Italians opening Gibraltar, I guess Normandy is very useful for the Axis. Puts me on difficult ground if we don’t agree on what is good for the Axis, can’t argue with your record I suppose.

[gamerman01]

@Adam514 said in G40 Balance Mod - Feedback Thread:

but if you are of the opinion that Vichy isn’t good for the Axis, what is the problem? There’s only a problem if Vichy is the obvious move, and it isn’t. So I fail to see the issue.

I really hesitate to stay involved, but

I understand not wanting the Vichy rules because they are complicated and it’s not just an option for the Axis, the Allies have a lot more to think about through UK1 besides what they normally do. Since that Italian tank can possibly take Normandy, and to make sure planes aren’t on French territory. That bit me hard once.

[gamerman01]

Are the Vichy rules considered core, or an optional module, I think is the main question

[Adam514]

@gamerman01 said in G40 Balance Mod - Feedback Thread:

Are the Vichy rules considered core, or an optional module, I think is the main question

Vichy is default.

[simon33]

Some further comments in reply to @Adam514, yes I guess it’s true that it isn’t really a Balanced Mod problem, it’s more of a G40 problem, if you think it’s a problem which I do. Larry’s laws never had to deal with the scenario of a probable capital falling in the first round. I don’t think it is handled very well at all. Perhaps all French territories should be capturable by the other allies like Dutch territories are by UK and Anzac. Such a rule change would give Vichy a purpose IMO. But it’s really just Normandy that annoys me. For Southern France, even in G40 it probably isn’t advised to leave that French and in BM there is an additional reason in giving up the US objective for D-Day landings.

FWIW, I’ve been playing online again and taken a bit to get back in the groove but I’ve won my last 10 games or so, some with good players. Hesitating to starting a PBF game again, not sure I can commit.

[oysteilo]

@simon33 we hope to see you back any time. You are a valuable member here!