Preview copy of 1942 2nd Edition might be arriving soon

I got the map printed for buddy ( not Barons version) and here is a few pics of map and his painted pieces

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Differences (from memory):

Second Edition adds/changes:

-Destroyers
-Cruisers
-Two hit battleships
-AAA (now a combat unit and nation specific)
-Strategic bomb damage works differently
-New costs for most units
-New rules for subs and destroyers
-Completely revised map: Lots more territories and sea zones; income levels and starting unit counts are very different (favors axis); the Atlantic ocean now takes two turns to cross for East USA to England; fighters have to land in Iceland or carrier otherwise don’t have enough range; China and the Pacific Ocean are much revised, et al

I am just curious about the balance….in previous thread I saw a few discussion saying it favors Axis but there are also folks saying the game is balanced without bids… Are any change on the opinion since then?  It seems to me Axis is strong at the beginning (it always is ;-)) but I haven’t play enough to come into any conclusion.

Because I don’t have enough time to play Global.

I like to have an historical style A&A.
Convoys rules are interesting for representing the economical effect on UK of U-Boats warfare ETO and on Japan of USA subs warfare PTO.
It is an interesting alternative to SBR.
Subs can be useful outside direct naval battle.

I put some HR and new units in 1942.2 (like antisub Escort Carrier, mechanized infantry, TacBombers) because it is a smaller scale than Global but still complex.

When I have only 2 or 3 hours with friends, we play 1941.
But it is not a game intended to have HR because even OOB rules from 1942 can ruined the balance.
We play it OOB rule only.

@Most:

I’ve ordered both from Field Marshal Games and they’re in the mail! I should get them Monday unless UPS delivers on Saturdays. Can’t wait!

can’t wait to hear ya’ll cough and guzzle your way through 2nd Ed, man.

@Most:

Thank you. I wish there were more of the UK and German artilary units. They look Awesome.

@LuckyDay:

Units look very nice, although I’m still not sold on unique pieces for AA guns, something standard for everyone.  Why not make unique IC’s for each country in mark-3, after they start making ICs again…
Still, maybe this bodes well for better Italian units in the future instead of reusing Germany’s…

I agree; I just picked up my new copy at my FNGS all the new sculpts are an improvement and the new artillery pieces are a BIG improvement visually, aesthetically, and even tactilely, if that’s a word (i.e., they have a much more solid, quality feel to them.)  I’m not sold on the new AA rules; I think I may continue to use the old light grey pieces in their original role and use the new pieces as “dual-purpose” artillery.  The idea is that they can target 1 aircraft (and/ or maybe a tank too, making them “tri-purpose” ?) if they roll a “1.”  Not that I’ve thought through all the implications yet of this new “house rule” idea yet, but it’s worth thinking about.  I’ve already tried it in one game using the old German 88’s for dual-purpose “special units” and the new HBG 105’s for regular field artillery, and it seemed to work OK.  The new pieces just give everone the same possibility (and look much better to boot!)

We’re only a few days from the release of Axis & Allies 1942 Second Edition and Amazon has it for pre-order:

Axis & Allies 1942 Second Edition on Amazon

@Variable:

I happen to be a fully vested lemming that must buy everything with Larry’s name on it. Did my pre-order for 1 each. Bummer about getting them together is having to wait until July to get them when the second game comes out. On the plus side, added a pre-order for the new Fortress America and got free shipping on the lot. July is gonna rock and I will be buried in plastic!

That is awesome