Mantelfan,
I see no changes to dmg done by strategic bombers in Alpha 3. They still do 1d6 +2 damage on strategic bombing runs.
And no, they are not a “new” advantage and I never claimed they were, I am claiming they are better than blowing 70+ IPC on transports due to the increase in convoy damage and the increased defensive ability of England (which is exceptionally minor increase, but enough to delay Germany by a round. - SINGULAR)
Okay, England drops 1 DD, Germany hits it with 2 submarines + 10 Aircraft.
Dead destroyer. Germany moves on. England still takes convoy damage, since the submarines are still on station until killed, and Germany got a bonus by killing the destroyer and any scrambled fighters.
If you had studied Russian history, you would have all the evidence you needed. Russia was waiting for the German defenses to be lowered before attacking. America’s intervention in the war caused the Germans to pull soldiers back to defend another front, coupled with England in Africa (and America to some extent) Russia felt it was time to attack - they always had intention to attack and wanted the rest of poland and the Ukrainian states as a buffer between them and Europe. They’ve always wanted them, and, in fact, the Crimean war was in part an effort to start collecting them and that happened long before WWII.
Larry has finally recognized that in the form of stating that Russia can see the lack of defenses after an early sea lion and attack. It is by far the best change he’s made since the box rules were issued.
Omega, it does suck when they get snake eyes on their AA Gun rolls. Escorts can be a good idea in such cases, of course, the AA Guns get to fire an extra shot for each escort too, so there is a drawback too it. (Any hits could be applied to the escorts, keeping the bombers for the dmg rolls.)
Mantle,
If you no longer need an airbase to intercept SBRs, then there is no need to attack it, thus, making the crippling of England MORE economical. You again weaken your earlier statements that SBR campaigns against England (coupled with convoy damage) is a failing strategy. Please pick a side and stay on it.
Omega, I agree. THe extra fighter for England is a null starter for me and the French units are toast anyway. Bring the extra ground forces to France and save your aircraft from AA Gun fire. (This is probably the exact method used when play testing the game.)
Thoughts in general.
Things that were discussed when we called for Alpha 3 were:
1) England is far too easy to take out. It is ahistorical and very weird to have London fall almost every time on Germany 3.
2) There is no historical basis for Russia seeing little German opposition and NOT attacking the Germans ahead of schedule. If London falls, Russia should be allowed to attack as well.
3) America has no incentive to participate in the Atlantic.
4) France is never liberated by the allies because it would strip two industrial complexes from them on the mainland.
5) There are not enough strategic bombing runs.
6) Axis need some minor boost to make them compatible with America.
He seemed to address all of the above concerns. Others he did not address:
A) Japan needs more troops in China.
B) Russia should be prohibited from attacking Japan first, EVER.
C) Japan could use a couple more destroyers in the Pacific.
D) Australia should have a second complex in Queensland.
All in all, I think he did a pretty good job so far.
Why is life better for the axis?
1) Germany needs to invest FAR LESS in the Atlantic Ocean.
2) Germany is rewarded for riskier attacks into Russia (use your imagination. I am not going to give you a script so you can try and find one tiny little flaw where if I do this on round 7 but you did that on round 1 it all falls apart. Obviously all strategies have to be flexible to take into consideration minor changes in the overall game board.)
3) The axis have a far easier time killing the NOs of the Allies. (Owning France is 2 Allied NOs for instance.)
4) The game is far more historical.
5) The Italian fleet will survive better by being split up more. (Either the Allies dedicate every IPC they have to get 2 transports perhaps losing it all due to a set of bad dice, or they only grab one.) It also forces them to attack the Italians in order to escape the med.
Why is the game better for the allies?
1) England wont fall on round 3 anymore. That by far is the best change for game balance. It can still be neutralized, but it wont automatically fall.
2) The Italian fleet is split more, making it weaker in any one place.
5 pro Axis changes, 2 pro Allies changes.