New Carriers - For Better or For Worse?

Aircraft are trumping units in this game;  they are better than their cost, more flexible than any other unit (since they can be on land or sea).  They prevent the game from being like Risk; where only numbers matter and all the units are the same.

This is just like the sub rule, its to represent the overpowering advantage aircraft had and have over all other types of unit during that era.  Not sure what objection that raises, except that they are OverPowered.  Which is true in real life also, airpower is OP compared to its costs and that’s why they keep using it.

Thank you

@MeinHerr:

@ChocolatePancake:

Yeah, the main problem I see with this strategy is it doesn’t matter if the Allies capture Tokyo first. The Allies win condition is to capture all 3 Axis capitols, and the Axis can still win on the Europe half if Tokyo is in Allied hands.

So, it doesn’t really matter if it takes Germany a turn or two after Japan falls to take Egypt.

I must confess, truly, i was in error.  Never saw the rulebook on that one. The games I played, usually if G to Moscow… or US took Tokyo… the other players conceded…  Thought Victory conditions of Allies mirrored that of Axis  (either Berlin+Rome or 8 VC… in Europe… or Tokyo or 6 VC in Asia).

It is laughable… i agree, but honest confession is proper here.

I agree that the allies win conditions are laughable. I’d like to see a win condition that states either Germany or Japan in allied hands is a victory, but I still don’t see how the allies could win with this strat. It would take too long to take Tokyo. Egypt would be in German hands at least 2 turns before tokyo fell. Like many have stated, all Japan has to do if he see’s Russia doing a crazy tactic, like you described, is all out defense. Then Germany takes Egypt turn 10-12 100%.

@elevenjerk:

Cool.  Makes sense but I think (not that it means much) that planes on a carrier don’t defend in the air unless there is something to defend against.  I’m new here but I’ve been reading for well over a year and I appreciate all the info given!  Thanks!

If it helps justify it, imagine that they’re flying CAP, and were already in the air when the subs struck.  The only time aircraft aren’t considered “in the air” is when attacking with a carrier that has a friendly plane.  In all other circumstances, the airplanes are independent of the carrier (and already in the air).  Not just when attacked, but even before they were attacked.  Hence, Combat Air Patrol.

@strategic:

I agree. I do not use Alpha in any way, shape, or fashion, although I also sometimes do a bid and I make Italy neutral until its 1st turn, otherwise, I don’t do anything else. Thank you IL for coming up with the Italy neutral idea.

Dude, Italy being neutral on the first round is an awesome idea.  Italy officially didn’t enter the war until June 10, 1940.  If we consider the invasion of Paris occurring on June 5 by the German forces, and all the turns are effectively happening simutaneously, then Italy has the OPTION to declare war on its turn, starting the game neutral to the Allies.  Brilliant.

(Though 5 days is a bit of a stretch considering each turn in game represents 3 months…)

Russia, man.  Since I started playing Classic, Russia goes to the newb.  Center of the action, forgiving because it’s huge, easy purchases, don’t have to learn naval units yet, straightforward strategy, roll fistfuls of dice.

“Look, here, buy as many infantry as you can afford.  Hold off the Germans.  Keep your planes alive.  Stall the japs in Siberia.”

Axis?  No way.

Yes you can. Move your existing aircraft over the sea zone that the CV is about to be built in and then land them on the newly built carrier.

In our house rules we let TAC bombers choose a target at -1 on the dice roll. He can chose to do so.

Cruisers defending can force their hit on an opponents aircraft (instead of, say, a hit on a battleship).