Hello Kreuzfeld.
Thanks for the comments and interest.
Here’s what I’ve found in the 6 or 7 games we’ve played so far with this method.
@Aircraft Carriers: Actually, the games we have played so far did not have restrictions on what friendly nations planes could be on what aircraft carrier. For instance, ANZAC could launch and recover combat move aircraft from a UK or USA carrier. Carolina made this suggestion and we are going to incorporate it into our “Axis & Allies & Comintern” House Rules the next time we play in early May. The reasons are the following:
Allies get a little too much of an advantage in the Pacific if they coordinate right. ANZAC, being basically land-locked if Japan plays right and gets lucky, can just dedicate their IPC’s to pumping out Fighters and TAC’s …. This free’s USA up to just make CV’s and not worry so much about the planes. … Limiting CV’s to just being able to launch Combat Moves with their country’s plane balances this
It could also be argued that having carriers launch attacks with their own country’s planes is more historically accurate. For sure, USA planes were used on UK carriers. And I wouldn’t be surprised if USA crews even manned some of the planes (that is a TOTAL guess though). However, most of the time crews trained long hours with the country and navy that they were going to be flying for. Therefore, the CAG’s were of the same nation as the CV from which they were operating on.
@Casualties: Any basically “random” method can be used, including all of the one’s you mentioned. I gave one example and also left it open to other methods that different groups prefer.
@Analysis & Advantage I fully agree with you. The GREATEST advantage to this system is for the Allied and Russian players for sure. In fact, I think it makes for basically balanced game. The 6 or 7 games we have played so far have had both Axis and Allied/Russian wins. …. Here are some additional things we have noticed:
Like you mentioned, Italy/Germany Can Openers are eliminated on the Eastern Front, greatly helping the Russians. This is SOMEWHAT mitigated by the new rule that doesn’t allow Allied Forces to step on Russian Controlled territories (and vice-versa) to reinforce Russia in the North … But the overall advantage definitely goes to Russia on this one
It is easier for Italy and Germany to combine forces and hold the Med via Gibraltar. UK –> USA won’t be able to do Can Openers there. This lets Italy dig into Africa a little bit more.
ANZAC doesn’t get side-showed as easy. They can pump out subs, destroyers and maybe even the odd cruiser and incorporate them into the UK or USA fleets. (historically accurate)
I could go on and on … but basically, “It’s a whole new way at looking at the day.” :-D
