Need official ruling…

Global 42 is an official axis and allies game. Some might not be aware of it or the fact it was designed for tournament play. It’s been out for several years now. 7 full rounds at which point you count axis controlled IPCs (not counting NOs). If Axis have 125 IPCs on the board they win.

But the point of this thread is about the balance it provides. Granted, it’s almost a totally different game than G40. And many discussions have focused on the idea of balance. Interestingly, I think the turn order is the main reason. Plus it’s kind of nostalgic (when remembering the turn order of Classic/Revised):
Russia
Japan
America
China
Germany
British/UK Pacific
Italy
ANZAC
France

Japan: Starts with 14 planes as opposed to 21. Has the option to conduct a risky naval opener. It may achieve a head start for limited naval supremacy. It could also get India on round 3 if the UK player isn’t careful. However, Japan could easily fall apart due to having 7 less planes and risky opener battles.

Germany: No longer has the Italian can opener threat. This is huge and really changes the dynamics. Germany gets attacked by Russia first, and has to re-cock. German units are in N. Africa and in the Med is a destroyer n’ transport. However, Germany can’t easily go everywhere like it can in G40.

For 7 rounds, the Axis can rampage and win according to the tournament victory rules.

However, if playing according to the regular OOB rules for victory, I think this setup leans Allies but not as much as G40 leans Axis.
Is this a balanced setup as is or would the axis need a small bid, maybe 3-10 IPCs. I think a small bid would make the Global very balanced and probably more fun for both sides.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that for allies there are no half measures…

At least playing against equal or stronger opponents

In any case, Japan must be crushed (above all) as well as Italy.

If you aim for a KGF and let Japan rage in the Pacific there is always the risk that with a coup they will be able to take the 6 VC and the game is over… even if the Allies are close to taking Rome or Berlin

Of course if you only tighten up on the Pacific perhaps also using the Russians (right @MrRoboto? :))… you have to be very organized in Europe to avoid Hitler arriving in Cairo (or London)…

Very expert players are able to do this of course… but in my opinion there is always a percentage of risk that the game predicts (like all clashes on A&A) but which you can try to avoid.

And above all the Allies should fight in a more aggressive way (which I have not yet learned to do) but not recklessly… aggressive in the sense of making the Axis risk more than necessary in certain battles (land and naval) because otherwise the the outcome is almost always for the Central Powers of the board.

@Bob_A_Mickelson:

I’ve been looking to add these custom IPC poker chips to spruce up my game, however they are quite expensive.

http://iwillnevergrowup.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=50

How many poker chips do I need for global 1940? Will I need more than one set? What is your guys experience?

Thanks in advance.

I have the set too… I also found the default set a bit short… if I’m not mistaken, I have the default set, two sets of the 25IPC add-ons, and I custom-ordered an extra ten 10IPC chips (as mentioned by others, contact IWNGU directly to get IPCs in a non-set fashion, as I did by ordering extra 10IPC chips).

Bottom line, I was happy with the number of 1s and 5s in the default set, but needed more 10s, and got two sets of the 25s.

Everyone should just get some research tokens and play by my rules. I’m in the middle of a game right now and it’s working out to be the best house rule I’ve ever seen by a mile. Germany has 3 weapons, Russia 1, Japan 2, US 2, UK 2 with one token still to develop and share, Italy 2, ANZAC 1.

This is after the 4th round;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXcKyTZwmjQ

:-P

It could have been worded better IMO.

The rules make it a challenge, but like anything else, it has it’s time and place in the game. Wait for your opponent to leave a factory undefended with aircraft, or to slow down their economy when they need it most. IMO, Germany should have 2-3 bombers by G6 or G7 and should use them to make Russia spend precious dollars to repair ICs, while simultaneously combining with original Luftwaffe/methodical small naval purchases to keep the Allied fleets at bay.

But… losing a bomber sucks.  :oops:

I’d have to agree that Kamikazee just makes no sense on offense, in terms of game play.  I believe the idea is to add extra defense to Japan, since they are out numbered 4 to 1 (China, England, ANZAC and America vs Japan).