Alpha 3 due next week

@variance:

Use the second edition rules and setup.  You can download them here:

http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=28703.0

Here’s the history in case you care.  What happened was they released the first editions of 1940 Europe and Pacific a few years ago but then people immediately figured out that if you put those 2 together to make the global game it was hopelessly screwed up.  So for the next 2+ years all the experts played and played and talked and talked and talked and the company every so often put out new versions of the rules and setup that were called alpha 1, alpha 2, and so on until FINALLY they released the second edition, which is just about perfect.

"Thanx for the input, much easier to understand now  :-)  So I’ll use 2ed rules, but some of the player aides & charts for +3 & +3.9 look like an easier read & are cool.  So I’ll compare them to the 2ed rules & set-ups & should be able to use those ok.  Thanx again.

@Yavid:

Let me say this first. I HATE turtling. Your number one job as the Russian player is to kill Germans. The more expensive the unit the better. Be prepared for hit and run attacks. keep your offensive units together but off the front lines if possible.

I completely agree, Russia can not sit there and take every German swing. they have to swing back if they want to last long enough for the allies to rescue them. the Russians have to counter attack when ever possible.

G1:

Purchase - 30 IPC
1 CV
1 DD
1 SS

Combat:

SZ110:
1 BB via SZ112
All Aircraft less the Tac in Poland and the Ftr in Hungary

SZ106:
2 SS via SZ117 and SZ118

SZ91:
2 SS via SZ108 and SZ103

SZ109:
1 SS via SZ124

Normandy:
2 Inf/Art via Holland

France:
3 Arm S.Germany
4 Mech, 1 Art, 3 Inf via W.Germany
3 Arm, 2 Inf via Holland
1 Ftr via Hungary
1 Tac via Poland

Yugoslavia:
6 Inf, 2 Art via S.France
3 Arm via Poland, Hungary and Romania
2 Inf via Hungary
1 Inf via Romania

Only thing to realistically note about this move is that if you sink all the ships in SZ110 and the BB is remaining, retreat to SZ112.

NCM:

Finland:
1 Inf via Norway

Bulgaria:
1 Inf via Romania

SZ112:
1 CR via SZ114
1 TT w/ 2 Inf from Poland to Norway
2 Ftr via SZ110

W.Germany:
All remaining Aircraft from France and SZ110

Unit Placement:

Place 1 CV, 1 DD, 1 SS in SZ112

End Move

Notes about this opener:

I like this opener due to the fact that provided the SS score hits in both SZ106 and SZ91 that you effectively eliminate units into England via Canada and help Italy in the Med.  Further, your SS are in a location (SZ106 and 91) that if the DD in SZ109 survives, that the UK has to choose one of the two to hit.

Your fleet in SZ112 has the following in it:
1 CV (with 2 Ftr)
1 CR
1 DD
1 SS
1 TT

It also has the possibility of a tipped BB as well as 3 aircraft to scramble out of W.Germany.  This will most likely deter England from sending its SZ111 fleet against your fleet.  The preservation of your fleet in SZ112 is paramount to allowing for SS builds on G2 and G3 to keep England in a defensive posture until the US establishes a presence of a fleet in Europe.

In example, the UK is going to have to face multiple SS from varied locations and it does not have enough DD to address them all, which enables Germany to establish a convoy on SZ109 as early as G2.  This convoy will probably survive until the 4th round before the US and England can remove your SS and fleet and regain control of the Atlantic.  This is beneficial to enabling a march on Moscow if the Allies cannot just waltz in with TT once the US enters the war.  Further, for every SS you purchase at 6 IPC - England has to spend 8 IPC on a DD to attack it with.  This creates a 2 IPC per SS advantage for Germany on top of any Convoy damage England takes.

The drawback to this is that Germany will probably not make significant headway into Russia until G4 - but it also enables Japan to work its magic of getting China under control while establishing an AB in Northern China to fly in its entire starting Air Force in support of your delayed entrance into Russia.  Many Japanese players will not buy into this tactic, but from an Axis perspective, If Germany owns Moscow then the fight is for Egypt - which Japan can assist with via its fleet sailing PAST Calcutta and into the Med.  A combined Japanese/Italian move against Egypt is almost impossible to stop - especially if Germany is providing air cover out of W.Germany once Moscow falls.

@Noll:

You can’t move in the Atlantic prior to war

I know. I took that into account. That’s why the Atlantic transports will arrive after the Pacific transport.

Thanks for the detail. I think I am going to have to leave SZ 97 alone. Even without German fighters, it is too risky to attack. What that does do, is allow Germany to not have to move fighters south since the attack on 97 is no longer truly feasible UK1.

If the US is forced to split it’s income their could come a time where it could haved saved the day at Hawaii or get much needed support to a victory city in Europe but it’s hands will have been tied because of polictial rules and the Axis will win.

To be honest I don’t really want to win that way.  I respect your position but I do disagree with it.  I would love to see the Axis made a little stronger but I am actually feel pretty comfortable with the USA staying as is for the most part.

@Battling:

When is this alpha nonsense going to be finalized. It’s making my head spin. Will this be the official setup for all 3 games ?

It will be done when it’s done.  It will either be the official setup or an alternate setup, for all three games.

Oh whoops at first glance I thought you made the cards but now I see it is Bob.