The convoys are drawn on the map using a white board marker (the map is laminated) so they can be erased when not in use, or rerouted to avoid harassment. Without the transports in the convoy routes, Japan cannot collect for the money, or keep the troops supplied.
We got up to Summer 1942 and stopped. We’ll start again from the beginning since we have a better idea of how to play Japan and China in that crucial first year. So far, it feels as though China will hold out until Japan has to pull away to occupy the islands and attack the British and Australians.
The carrier planes should be put to more use against China, but then they will need to be redeployed to the South Pacific along with most of the fleet. Despite teh huge monetary advantage the US has ($100/turn) because of the long build times for capital ships, it will be 1943 before the US really gets going.
Of course, we need to play that far to see if it happens that way, but it seems like it should.
Coach will print this for you, but I don’t know what he charges. He can print it on vinyl as well. I’ll get him to post the cost on his website as well.
As for Pacific - it can be played linked to the Europe half. The map itself is pretty much set - just going to have ANZAC in a diferent colour. The set-up may undergo some tweaks. The rules may need some streamlining as well. Variable is testing for me as well. Maybe in the fall we’ll have it done.
Cheers
While I have been unable to devote the time this great game deserves due to other commitments lately, I can tell you all this:
jim010 has put a ton of work and research into making this game a very accurate representation of the war. The mechanics are complex but straight forward. You will have to divert your thinking from A&A. This is not so much a variant of A&A as it is it’s own creation. The map is very user friendly in its design; you can easily memorize the terrain types and recognize required markings. But for me, between the work I do for Coach and HBG, and the help I’ve been giving djensen on the ‘41 and 42’-2 releases, I’ve been swamped!
I do hope to get back to this soon. The setups will be thoroughly tested by the time this one’s ready, and the rules are already solid and beautifully laid out in rulebook form.
Thanks Variable.
Midnightexpress, I just contacted Coach. He can print the map on vinyl for you.
Coach will charge $39.95 plus shipping. He will print it on vinyl. The size is 28 inches by 44 inches.
Be sure to check out my full review of the Pacific game here:
-On page 9 of the rules it is stated that “A naval/air unit can choose to either move, patrol, or perform Strategic Warfare”
If the naval unit chooses to move, is it still required to return to its home post at the end of the turn or can it use this option to relocate to another port? Or, must a naval unit use RP’s to move to a new port during the Redeployment phase?
Relocation can only occur in the Redeployment phase. Therefore, it must return to its original base.
Can warships be added to convoys for protection? If so, how does one go about attacking these convoys and would this attack be different depending on whether one was using an air or a naval attack?
Yes, warships can be added during the Convoy phase. � Anyship you please.
To attack, there are 2 ways:
Through Strategic Warfare with a sub or bomber (stage 1 of Combat) or through Naval Combat with any other unit (stage 2 of Combat).
Bombers and subs always find a convoy, so no need to roll interception. � All other units need to roll to intercept a convoy. Tac and fighters attack together with ships in regular naval combat.
Yes, warships can be added during the Convoy phase. � Anyship you please.
To attack, there are 2 ways:
Through Strategic Warfare with a sub or bomber (stage 1 of Combat) or through Naval Combat with any other unit (stage 2 of Combat).
Bombers and subs always find a convoy, so no need to roll interception. � All other units need to roll to intercept a convoy. Tac and fighters attack together with ships in regular naval combat.
Strategic attack is a single round (I believe) but would the warships escorting the convoy-transports be allowed to fight back against the bombers (I think only destroyers would be allowed to attack the subs).
On the other hand, if a regular naval attack successfuly intercepted a convoy, would the battle continue until one side or the other was annihilated or retreated. If this is possible and the convoy retreats, to where does it retreat?
It seems to me that having the Initiative on a front is actually a disadvantage in naval operations.
The player moving 2nd can react to the first player’s moves and choose to patrol in the most effective sea zones as well as selecting his own sea routs that avoid patroling enemy fleets.
Is this assessment correct or have I misunderstood the rules?
@jamatucci@rcn.com:
Yes, warships can be added during the Convoy phase. � Anyship you please.
To attack, there are 2 ways:
Through Strategic Warfare with a sub or bomber (stage 1 of Combat) or through Naval Combat with any other unit (stage 2 of Combat).
Bombers and subs always find a convoy, so no need to roll interception. � All other units need to roll to intercept a convoy.� � Tac and fighters attack together with ships in regular naval combat.
Strategic attack is a single round (I believe) but would the warships escorting the convoy-transports be allowed to fight back against the bombers (I think only destroyers would be allowed to attack the subs).
On the other hand, if a regular naval attack successfuly intercepted a convoy, would the battle continue until one side or the other was annihilated or retreated. If this is possible and the convoy retreats, to where does it retreat?
The convoy can retreat to either port it services.
You are correct, that only ASW units can hit the subs, and only fighters can hit the bombers.
In regular naval combat, the fighting keeps going until one side is destroyed or retreats.
@jamatucci@rcn.com:
It seems to me that having the Initiative on a front is actually a disadvantage in naval operations.
The player moving 2nd can react to the first player’s moves and choose to patrol in the most effective sea zones as well as selecting his own sea routs that avoid patroling enemy fleets.Is this assessment correct or have I misunderstood the rules?
You are correct. With initiative you go first.
But at sea, you have the responsibilty of realizing your opponent sees your movements and can react to them. You could patrol in areas that barricade his fleet, or set up your movements in a way that he would have to cross a point, or multiple points, of patrolling.
How can fighters defend convoys against bomber stategic attacks?
Do they need to be on board carriers attached to the convoy?
Can they patrol a sea zone through which the convoy passes?
If this is possible, will these defending fighters only be able to fight bombers which attempt to intercept a convoy (I believe this interception of the convoy by the bombers is automatic) in the sea zone in which the defending fighters are patrolling?
How is initiative determined for the first turn, before any battles have been fought?
If sea battles have no effect on determining initiative, how can initiative ever change in the Baltic front which has no land spaces?
Edited to reflect fighter hitting at 4 correction.
@jamatucci@rcn.com:
How can fighters defend convoys against bomber stategic attacks?
Do they need to be on board carriers attached to the convoy?
Can they patrol a sea zone through which the convoy passes?
If this is possible, will these defending fighters only be able to fight bombers which attempt to intercept a convoy (I believe this interception of the convoy by the bombers is automatic) in the sea zone in which the defending fighters are patrolling?
Planes on a carrier in a convoy will be considered to be in the air when attacked anywhere along the convoy route.
A plane or ship can patrol over a zone that a convoy passes. Â If so, then the attacker will have to get through the patrolling units before it can get to the convoy. Â Resolve this first, and then the convoy Strategic Warfare.
Looking over the Strategic Warefare combat, I see there is confusion. Â Let me clarify it with this. Â I will include this in updated rules:
Your bombers/submarines may attack the defender’s factory or NRZ/convoy.  Follow these steps:
1 Place all of the engaged units to the side of the board. Â All units in the same space are placed.
2 Attacker fires.  You roll 1d6 for each fighter/bomber you have in the space.  Every die roll that is equal to or less than the Combat value of the unit is a ‘hit’.  You then add up the number of ‘hits’ rolled, and that is the number of fighters the defender must choose as casualties.
3 Defender fires.  The defender rolls 1d6 for every fighter he has in the space, including casualties.  Every die roll that is equal to or less than 4 is a ‘hit’.  Defender then adds up the number of ‘hits’ rolled, and that is the number of air units you must choose to be destroyed.  Casualties are now removed.
4 Attacker fires.  You roll 1d6 for each bomber/submarine you have in the space.  Every die roll that is equal to or less than 3 is a ‘hit’.  Defender’s factory/NRZ is now damaged, or 1 transport per hit is destroyed
5 Defender fires.  The defender rolls 1d6 for every destroyer//Tac bomber he has in the convoy.  Every die roll that is equal to or less than 3 is a ‘hit’.  Defender then adds up the number of ‘hits’ rolled, and that is the number of submarines you must choose to be destroyed.
• Go to Stage 4.
@jamatucci@rcn.com:
How is initiative determined for the first turn, before any battles have been fought?
If sea battles have no effect on determining initiative, how can initiative ever change in the Baltic front which has no land spaces?
Axis have the initiative in all Fronts at the start of the game.
Sea battles do count towards initiative, but Strategic Warefare battles don’t.
In the Baltic, initiative can change to the Allies when there is a sea battle the Allies win, or if the Axis have no warships (subs and transports won’t count) in the Baltic but the Allies do. Then initiative will change. If neither side has proper warships in the Baltic, it stays Axis.
