Rules Questions

[Flashman]

For any rules questions: some of my list posted on HGD (not responding…)

Is there a naval battle board?

Can attacking ships retreat from a naval battle, or do they stay in what is now a contested SZ when they break off the attack?

Where can Battleships repair, and for what cost?

Do damaged BBs fire & move accordingly, i.e. at 2 rather than 4 (always liked this rule).

The UK report appears to contradict the Russian version that stated ships can only be built in original home naval bases; does this in fact extend to captured bases?

Can ships be built in Berlin even though, I think, it does not have a naval base?

What happens to mines adjacent to a naval base that is captured, or whose original owner is knocked out of the game?

Are submarines able to contest an amphibious assault if the incoming transports have no combat ships escorting them?

Is there any “commerce raiding”, i.e. ability to bombard tts to reduce income without land units attacking?

Is there a limit on the number of Commonwealth units that can be placed in Bombay every turn?

Do the pieces provided limit the number of stacks of a particular unit, e.g. can Germany ever have submarines in more than 4 sea zones?

If the Allies control SZ 20 do they have free access through the straits from SZs 21 to 19/17 regardless of Turkey still holding Constantinople?

Similarly, does control of Egypt block movement between SZs 19 & 28?

Does SZ 30 have any function?

Can ships carry units of their allies?

Can aircraft fly over neutral tt?

Can aircraft make an attack on their own (without ground forces?)

Does, in fact, at least one infantry always have to be involved in any attack on a land territory?

Are the Allies permitted to invade non-aligned neutrals? I foresee big problems for the CP if they can, particularly in regard to Persia and Norway being used to feed U.K. units into Russia (I assume the western Allies are allowed on Russian soil).

What happens to units of all players in Russia when the revolution occurs?

If Russia is out of the game, can the other Allies take control of Serbia & Romania as if they were non-aligned neutrals?

Does the USA have turns before it declares war, i.e can it collect money & build units on rounds 1-3?

Do minor Allied and Spanish colonies have forces, and if so how and when do they come into play?

[oztea]

Planes can’t attack on their own, but I would like to know of they can participate in naval battles, or if they can participate in amphibious invasions if they are in a transport.

[ossel]

@Flashman:

Can attacking ships retreat from a naval battle, or do they stay in what is now a contested SZ when they break off the attack?

There is no such thing as a ‘contested seazone,’ as naval battles are resolved in the traditional A&A style:

Unlike a land battle, a sea battle can go on for multiple rounds of combat for as long as the attacker wants to continue.

So I’m thinking the answer is yes, they can retreat.

@Flashman:

Can ships be built in Berlin even though, I think, it does not have a naval base?

I imagine he’ll either put a fictitious naval base in the Berlin tt, or put it in Kiel.

@Flashman:

What happens to mines adjacent to a naval base that is captured, or whose original owner is knocked out of the game?

I’m pretty sure the mines stay active, and “attack” any unit that’s an enemy to the original controlling power:

…all sea zones with a naval base symbol are considered mined by the power originally controlling the navy base…

@Flashman:

Are the Allies permitted to invade non-aligned neutrals? I foresee big problems for the CP if they can, particularly in regard to Persia and Norway being used to feed U.K. units into Russia (I assume the western Allies are allowed on Russian soil).

I have to assume strict neutrals behave like they did in Global 1940, basically turning all neutrals against the invading alliance.

[ch0senfktard]

@ossel:

I have to assume strict neutrals behave like they did in Global 1940, basically turning all neutrals against the invading alliance.

Nope. In Larry’s reports, Germany decided to invade the Netherlands, which are neutral.
There wasn’t any mention of any neutrals flipping aside from Netherlands.

[Flashman]

Yes, he said that neutrals declare war on the alliance that attacks them; that must mean that the Allies can invade neutrals, more bad news for the Turks.

I hope attacking navy can retreat from battle, otherwise we’ll see precious little naval combat. Historical, but rather pointless.
Suppose the German fleet moves west to engage the main UK navy. They suffer badly from mines, but presumably must initiate the combat since they’re entering an uncontested area. More losses, BBS damaged, and they call off the attack. But if they have to remain in British waters (if there are such things as contested SZs) then they’re sitting ducks for the RN on its next turn. If they can retreat, however, they can take refuge behind their own mines, place new naval units to replenish the fleet, and repair the damaged dreadnoughts.
Without the retreat option, I hardly think they’d risk moving out of port at all.

Berlin can only border the Baltic, which we know is a Russian SZ. Kiel presumably borders the North Sea through the canal, else the NB is at Wilhelmshavn, making the “Kiel” tt name even more anomalous.
But does this mean that Germany can never build navy in the Baltic?

[wove100]

@Flashman:

I hope attacking navy can retreat from battle, otherwise we’ll see precious little naval combat. Historical, but rather pointless.

From Larry’s Imperial Germany post:

“Unlike a land battle, a sea battle can go on for multiple rounds of combat for as long as the attacker wants to continue. As usual in most A&A games, when it comes to submarines the attacker can roll an attack or can submerge. This is followed by the defender rolling for his or her ships. After both sides have rolled, the casualties are removed. The attacker can either press or break-off the attack.”

From Larry’s Imperial Russia post:

“New sea units can be placed in any sea zone that shares a naval base symbol with a territory that you originally controlled. New units can enter play even in a contested territory or hostile sea zone. No combat occurs because the Conduct Combat phase will be long past.”

[Flashman]

From which we must assume that the German navy in my example is well and truly screwed.

The real war had one major surface fleet battle - Jutland.

That’s precisely one more than this game is gonna get.

[BJCard]

Well, the ‘jutland battle’ will be the turn the UK smashes Germany’s Fleet

[Hitlers Left Hand Pinky]

@Flashman:

From which we must assume that the German navy in my example is well and truly screwed.

The real war had one major surface fleet battle - Jutland.

That’s precisely one more than this game is gonna get.

Why would that be? Based on the set up, Germany actually has the advantage in the North Sea. They have 1 Battleship, 2 Cruisers and 2 Subs and could even bring up 2 more subs from the Mid-Atlantic on the first turn and sink the British Fleet in the North Sea. The British only have 1 Battleship and 2 Cruisers. This would prevent Britain from shipping reinforcements over to the Western Front for at least 1 round. Unless the minefields in the game are completely devastating to go into, Germany’s got the advantage out of the gates.

[Hitlers Left Hand Pinky]

The update that talks about the political situation says that Minor Powers with colonies don’t mobilize units in their colonies and that they only mobilize if their capital territory is attacked. Does this mean that if you invade Spanish Morocco or the Balearic Islands that there is no military presence? Meaning free IPC for France?

[Flashman]

As I mentioned above, I see no reason for Germany not to just walk into Congo (assuming they also attack Belgium r1).

France could get the free IPC for Spanish Morocco, but I assume that this would force Spain into the enemy camp giving the CPs control of Spain and its small army.

@Hitlers:

The update that talks about the political situation says that Minor Powers with colonies don’t mobilize units in their colonies and that they only mobilize if their capital territory is attacked. Does this mean that if you invade Spanish Morocco or the Balearic Islands that there is no military presence? Meaning free IPC for France?

[Flashman]

My point is that the risk of being stranded in a contested enemy SZ if the battle goes against you (or you hit a bunch of mines) is so great that no sane Admiral would take it. I pity the fools.

If, however, you can retreat into friendly waters when you call off the battle, the risk is far less, as you can then repair and reinforce the fleet behind the protection of your own mines.

Without the retreat option, fighting a big fleet battle in enemy waters is an all-or-nothing gamble.

@Hitlers:

Why would that be? Based on the set up, Germany actually has the advantage in the North Sea. They have 1 Battleship, 2 Cruisers and 2 Subs and could even bring up 2 more subs from the Mid-Atlantic on the first turn and sink the British Fleet in the North Sea. The British only have 1 Battleship and 2 Cruisers. This would prevent Britain from shipping reinforcements over to the Western Front for at least 1 round. Unless the minefields in the game are completely devastating to go into, Germany’s got the advantage out of the gates.

[ch0senfktard]

@Flashman:

As I mentioned above, I see no reason for Germany not to just walk into Congo (assuming they also attack Belgium r1).

France could get the free IPC for Spanish Morocco, but I assume that this would force Spain into the enemy camp giving the CPs control of Spain and its small army.

@Hitlers:

The update that talks about the political situation says that Minor Powers with colonies don’t mobilize units in their colonies and that they only mobilize if their capital territory is attacked. Does this mean that if you invade Spanish Morocco or the Balearic Islands that there is no military presence? Meaning free IPC for France?

I wonder how that works out. Does Spain immediately go under the control of a Central Power or does it become a minor aligned power that waits to be activated?

If its the latter, I think I’d prefer to invade Spanish Morocco every game.

[Flashman]

Although it is not explicit, the rules seem to indicate that it means war, even though it mobilizes no units. Or perhaps not.

Expect a clarification on this rule after the game is officially released.

As usual.

Hey, don’t blame Jensen, he only has a copy of the official rules - don’t expect him to know how the game works.

You think he’s telepathic? You think he knows what’s in Larry’s mind?

[Hitlers Left Hand Pinky]

@Flashman:

Although it is not explicit, the rules seem to indicate that it means war, even though it mobilizes no units. Or perhaps not.

Expect a clarification on this rule after the game is officially released.

As usual.

Hey, don’t blame Jensen, he only has a copy of the official rules - don’t expect him to know how the game works.

You think he’s telepathic? You think he knows what’s in Larry’s mind?

No one’s blaming anybody, I was just starting conversation and speculation. If Spain can’t mobilize units and join the CP immediately after an Allied attack on their colonies then there is no

incentive to NOT attack their colonies. If that’s the case, it just seems like a bizarre rule, It’s different with Belgium and Portugal because they are going to enter the war whether they get

attacked or not.

[Hitlers Left Hand Pinky]

@Flashman:

My point is that the risk of being stranded in a contested enemy SZ if the battle goes against you (or you hit a bunch of mines) is so great that no sane Admiral would take it. I pity the fools.

If, however, you can retreat into friendly waters when you call off the battle, the risk is far less, as you can then repair and reinforce the fleet behind the protection of your own mines.

Without the retreat option, fighting a big fleet battle in enemy waters is an all-or-nothing gamble.

@Hitlers:

Why would that be? Based on the set up, Germany actually has the advantage in the North Sea. They have 1 Battleship, 2 Cruisers and 2 Subs and could even bring up 2 more subs from the Mid-Atlantic on the first turn and sink the British Fleet in the North Sea. The British only have 1 Battleship and 2 Cruisers. This would prevent Britain from shipping reinforcements over to the Western Front for at least 1 round. Unless the minefields in the game are completely devastating to go into, Germany’s got the advantage out of the gates.

I see what you mean. I think it was stated at some point (probably after your post) that naval battles are fought in the traditional A&A way in that it continues till the attacker retreats or

one side is destroyed so there isn’t contested sea zones. However, if the minefields end up being a major determent to an enemy navy then yes, I could see naval battles being non-

existent.

[Flashman]

I think the exact quote is that naval battles continue for as long as the attacker wants them to.

I’m pretty sure this is the only way to allow amphibious assaults, otherwise it would’ve been the same one round of combat only.

Since Larry has mentioned contested sea zones (you can launch new ships into them) I must assume that they come about through an attacker deciding to call off an attack, but staying in the SZ to make it contested. No mention has been made of retreats, which is why I think big naval attacks are so damned risky, and will probably be avoided.

[BJCard]

Well, they did avoid big naval battles in WWI (well, for 2 years until Jutland and then after that) simply because it was risky.  Having a “Fleet in Being” was far too valuable.

[wove100]

From Larry’s Imperial Russia post:

“New sea units can be placed in any sea zone that shares a naval base symbol with a territory that you originally controlled. New units can enter play even in a contested territory or hostile sea zone. No combat occurs because the Conduct Combat phase will be long past.”

I read this as follows:

contested territory = land territory with a naval base that has enemy units present (and thus is contested) but where new naval units can still be placed in the adjacent sea zone (note Larry doesn’t say contested sea zone).

hostile sea zone = sea zone adjacent to a land territory with a naval base that is occupied by enemy naval units but where new naval units can still be placed (as in previous versions of A&A).

With the usual caveat that I may be wrong, I can’t recall Larry saying anything about a contested sea zone, but I will search the reports.

[Flashman]

@BJCard:

Well, they did avoid big naval battles in WWI (well, for 2 years until Jutland and then after that) simply because it was risky.  Having a “Fleet in Being” was far too valuable.

True, but Germany did risk the High Seas Fleet at Jutland. And the only reason they did so was because they knew that if it got too hot they could scuttle back into home port and make repairs.

If the game makes a badly mauled attacking fleet stay in hostile waters then we’re back to the “sitting duck” status of fleets in WWII versions - it’s an even bigger risk than it was historically. We’ve gone from one extreme to the other.

My solution would be:

Allow the attacking fleet to retreat back where it came from, but allow the enemy fleet to pursue. Then that side has to consider risking the mines to finish off the wounded foe. A pursuing fleet cannot retreat, but of course it gets it’s next turn before the rival navy plays again.

Perhaps a fleet in a contested SZ which contains its own home NB can be considered blockaded; it cannot sail out of the SZ until it has destroyed or driven off the contesting ships.

I’m assuming here that, under normal circumstances, a fleet in an already contested SZ can sail away without engaging the enemy.