If I were Larry, I would…

@scotth409

I also play this with my gaming group. I agree with squire - Allies have the advantage.

Japan can grab Indian rnd 3 (naval base in French Indo rnd 2) and if you’re playing to win, that’s the way I would go.

If you want to create more play in Africa/Med you can try a German airbase in Greece rnd 1. Britain can attack with fig, tac, bmr, cruiser for an even fight with the destroyer and 3 figs.

If you want to try something a little crazy with Japan, have a look at the following;

1 bomber, 1 fighter and 1 tactical_bomber moved from Japan to 26 Sea Zone
1 fighter moved from 6 Sea Zone to 26 Sea Zone
1 tactical_bomber moved from 6 Sea Zone to 26 Sea Zone
1 battleship moved from 6 Sea Zone to 26 Sea Zone
1 destroyer moved from 6 Sea Zone to 26 Sea Zone
1 submarine moved from 49 Sea Zone to 62 Sea Zone
1 fighter moved from 42 Sea Zone to 62 Sea Zone
1 fighter moved from 42 Sea Zone to 49 Sea Zone
1 cruiser, 1 destroyer and 1 submarine moved from 47 Sea Zone to 49 Sea Zone
1 fighter moved from 33 Sea Zone to 49 Sea Zone
1 cruiser moved from 33 Sea Zone to 49 Sea Zone

If all goes right you won’t be in bad shape. However, there is a massive whole in this opening that can be exploited by US/Anzac. If they choose not to scramble in Pearl Harbor they can attack the BB and loaded Carrier in sz 54 with 3 fig, tac and bmr then have Anzac clean up, if anything is left. You can prevent this by bringing in an extra carrier and landing the 2nd fig from the attack on sz 49. BUT, you can only do this if you’re not forced to provide landing for the surviving fighters in Pearl. All in all pretty messy and not a very good opening. Let me know if you take the plunge and how it works out.

Best move for Britain IMHO is an airbase in Gibraltar. I don’t use the US fig to attack the 2 German des, just 2bmr and a des, this gives you an extra fig in Gibraltar. The idea is to park your cruiser in sz 92 to prevent Italy from getting thier NO. They can attack, but have to cover the scramble and will have their fleet wide open for a counter attack.

Sorry for the screw-up re posted.

@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…)

@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.

@axisisthebest:

from harris game design

http://harrisgamedesign.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=4035

the alpha+ playtest specifications, changes that are made will be in red

Wow. we have a completely different game now.

Yeah, I don’t know about Global, but I love it in Pacific. It removes the extreme Japanese advantage from a J1 attack (although I havn’t actually tried that, but seems pretty obvious).

A J3 attack should go Japan’s way if you don’t make any errors and dice are even, but only just. This setup was way more enjoyable than any original setup game I have played.

I saw someone mention African units to London, I’m guessing that is for UK2.

Best I can figure, it could be this:

UK1
Cruiser, Transport from sz 98 and 2 land units from Egypt or Alexandra move to sz 92.
DD from sz 91 moves to sz94 to block Italian navy, as French fleet blocks in sz 93.
Carrier from sz 91 and tac move to sz 92 to protect fleet.
Fighter Alexandra moves to sz 92 to protect fleet: CV,CA,TT,Ftr,Tac.

UK2
Move transport, ftr, tac and land units from SZ 92 to London, if Germany did not clear them out…only possible if in N. Italy I suspect.
Result: 2 land units and 1 Fighter from Africa on London turn 2.

There may be options that permit the Italian fleet attack or that don’t pull the tac off of London for G2 assault.

I would not throw away Egypt this way or not activate Persia on UK1. But technically it delivers the units as suggested. If the Canadian fleet meets on the other side of Gibraltar, you could technically have a 4 unit take back force if London falls. Although taking it back, just gives the Germans a chance to loot your treasury twice when they retake.