Germany playbook: overall strategy guide

@taamvan what are good build for Russia. This is my first time playing them. I’ve played every other nation.

Gargantua; 6 tanks

Why? Because only with mobile forces that can move 2 you threaten the Germans or the italian mobile force. Units that only move 1 are too easy to trap and eliminate separately. If the threat is great enough, the Germans have to be conservative (put all their land pieces together). Italian fighters may therefore be more valuable against this play than normal play (because the ital fighters can land on and defend the German stack, should it be vulnerable to a tank strike.

Taamvan; 1 fighter, 9 infantry

Why? Because once you have 4 fighters (I add one using my DaveMod 3.0 = 2 to start, 1 bid, 1 bought) then Germany has to think twice about stratbombing your factories. The Germans can often bring the necessary escorting fighters, esp. once they have Leningrad. The worst part is that if they are able to bomb out your starting unit production, its better just to leave it broken then waste money repairing a factory they’ll simply take over. That may limit you to producing 10 or fewer units (if Moscow is bombed out)–many games I have like 25 income and max damage on R4-5 such that I must repair, but I’m only going to be able to build a few units. Build ##s early and quality later.

Another tip?

UK takes Persia turn 1.
UK factory turn 2
UK builds 1-2 infantry and fighters, which can fly direct. This is the only direct fighter pump and fighters that cannot reach moscow proper are usually destroyed as Moscow gets encircled.

Another tip?

Play with a bid, or with the Davemod 3.0 (see House Rules). Russia is too weak OOB, but it should still fall before G8-9 to make the late game fun.

Wow I’m seeing lots of neat new strategies here. The G1 Carrier purchase that many seem to agree as a standard for Germany would make me the laughing stock of my group, until they saw an actual Sea Lion attempt, which we virtually never do. Typically I have had great success with a throwback to A&A Classic: The IPM. The Luftwaffe can give the infantry plenty of attack power, but the problem is they are slow so a G1 or G2 Barbarossa is essential. Has anyone else had success with the classic infantry march to Moscow?

@M36 said in Germany playbook: overall strategy guide:

Wow I’m seeing lots of neat new strategies here. The G1 Carrier purchase that many seem to agree as a standard for Germany would make me the laughing stock of my group, until they saw an actual Sea Lion attempt, which we virtually never do. Typically I have had great success with a throwback to A&A Classic: The IPM. The Luftwaffe can give the infantry plenty of attack power, but the problem is they are slow so a G1 or G2 Barbarossa is essential. Has anyone else had success with the classic infantry march to Moscow?

You’ll have much more success with it if you buy fast movers as Germany (mechs and tanks) then the round before your Moscow attack, planes that can reach Moscow on the next turn, so tacticals for Novgorod, bombers in W. Germany or Germany.

This allows your infantry you start the game with to lead the march, but get joined quickly by flexible units that can catch up quickly.

So, Germany has 20-26 infantry it can attack Russia with on G2. Anything you buy is a mech or tank or plane.

@weddingsinger Sound advice, so I’ll put you down as a no for infantry purchases? I find that my infantry screen has been melted away by Bryansk and Smolensk, and the Russians get to trade infantry for mechs and tanks in the final battles. This is especially true if I divert some troops to the Balkans. My vision is to have a stack of 30 infantry attacking Moscow with Air support. This would prevent the heavy ipc damage of losing a stack of tanks and having little left after Moscow.

@M36 said in Germany playbook: overall strategy guide:

@weddingsinger Sound advice, so I’ll put you down as a no for infantry purchases? I find that my infantry screen has been melted away by Bryansk and Smolensk, and the Russians get to trade infantry for mechs and tanks in the final battles. This is especially true if I divert some troops to the Balkans. My vision is to have a stack of 30 infantry attacking Moscow with Air support. This would prevent the heavy ipc damage of losing a stack of tanks and having little left after Moscow.

Germany should make 1.5-2 times as much as Russia, but with a larger air force and 3+ times the tanks, so spending on mechs over inf isn’t an issue.

To help prevent the trading of inf, use Italy to take a Russian territory (non-factory, of course) and then Germany can help occupy it but more importantly with its air force, so Russia can’t counter attack. Its why a mech and tank are a common first buy for Italy… to help can open.

Germany being mobile also has the advantage of 2 movement, so if Russia makes a mistake and leaves a weaker stack of inf somewhere, you are more able to hit it.

Add in factory bombing as soon as possible, and G6/7 is the goal for threatening Moscow.

Artillery can always be bought G1. Buying too much artillery G2 can mean not getting on Bryansk G5,. although that may not be a problem. Some games I’ve played Axis, I’ve moved into Bryansk G6 and Moscow G7. I’m in too minds about it to be honest. It’s always good to take Bryansk and Ukraine by G5. But artillery is really useful in a Moscow assault. Much better value than tanks, which you do need some of.

Im seeing quite a few recommendations of a 1st turn purchase of an aircraft carrier and destroyer even if just to bluff a sea lion. Doesn’t this leave you with a very thin 2nd wave for Barbarossa on G2? Has anybody had a successful Barbarossa with a G1 fleet purchase?

@M36 said in Germany playbook: overall strategy guide:

Im seeing quite a few recommendations of a 1st turn purchase of an aircraft carrier and destroyer even if just to bluff a sea lion. Doesn’t this leave you with a very thin 2nd wave for Barbarossa on G2? Has anybody had a successful Barbarossa with a G1 fleet purchase?

Of course. Russia is so much weaker than Germany that a G1 buy of a carrier isn’t a problem. It simply slows down Germany’s attack on Moscow by a turn (maybe 2), but can be used for other things. If you do it don’t have it sit in the Black Sea doing nothing, though. Usually players will take Gibraltor on G2 (carrier, cruiser, transport). If I want to go for a strong Italy I prefer taking S. France on G1 then buying German ships for the Mediterranean on G2.

But if your focus is 100% Moscow, ships don’t help you.

@weddingsinger yeah but once you start delaying the Moscow assault more troops will be bought by USSR and so you’ll need to invest much more in taking Moscow. So I think that it is indeed a problem. Perhaps you can do something with the CV that makes it worthwhile, I’m just not convinced of that.

Taking Gibraltar pretty much requires a J3 (or later) DOW. Otherwise USA will smash you in SZ91. So for all that Axis sacrifice, are you getting Egypt? Not that likely.

@simon33 You would consider G3 Barbarossa too late then?

No, G3 is about right in most cases. G2 can be good too though.

@simon33 It’s going to be a near thing. The Americans will be landing in North Africa A3 or A4. I know from my experience that Britain can virtually obliterate the Italians capabilities to resist them.

@M36 said in Germany playbook: overall strategy guide:

@simon33 It’s going to be a near thing. The Americans will be landing in North Africa A3 or A4. I know from my experience that Britain can virtually obliterate the Italians capabilities to resist them.

I usually invade Russia on G2 (Baltic States and head North to Novgorod to link up with troops from Norway/Finland)

If America is buying on the Atlantic side that early, Japan should be running wild in the Pacific. As long as you keep Denmark, W. Germany, and Italy’s factories safe, they’re not a threat til round 5 or later. So I keep Germany’s transport safe.

/I’m a J1 fan, have the money islands on J2, Malaya and more on J3 and now earning in the 60s so the U.S.’ advantage is minimized.

@Cow said in Germany playbook: overall strategy guide:

Feel free to make a contribution for any strategy!

trulpen’s Save the Bismarck and push for a G2 DOW on Russia [OOB G40 2nd]

I’ve been looking for a way for Germany to save its battleship and at the same time aim for a G2 DOW against Russia. I believe there is a significant strategical gain with a G2 DOW instead of G3, but Germany needs the muscles to show. This is what I’ve (with help of critical input from @barnee, @simon33, @taamvan, @aequitas-et-veritas and @Argothair regarding a crazy idea of a G1 ab in Holland) come up with:

Purchase (30 IPC)

Sz112: 2 tr, 1 ac - 30

Combat moves

1 sub sz103, 1 sub sz108, 1 fig Holland, 2 fig, 3 tac W Ger, 2 sb Ger -> sz110 -> W Ger

1 sub sz118, 1 sub sz124, 1 bs sz113, 1 fig Norway, 1 tac Ger -> strafe sz111 -> sz112

4 inf, 2 art, 3 tank Holland, 3 tank S Ger, 3 inf, 1 art, 4 mech W Ger -> France -> W Ger

6 inf, 2 art S Ger, 1 inf Romania, 1 fig Slovakia, 1 tac Poland -> strafe Yugoslavia -> Romania, 1 fig Tobruk, 1 tac S Italy

Non-combat moves

1 sub sz117 -> sz124

1 cr, 1 tr sz114 -> sz112

2 inf Denmark -> W Ger

3 inf Norway -> Finland +4 inf

1-2 aa W Ger -> Ger

1 inf Romania -> Bulgaria +4 inf

2 inf Slovakia -> Poland

1 tank Poland -> Slovakia

11 inf, 3 art, 3 aaa Ger -> Poland

Analysis

Now a stack in the Baltic can be strengthened by 2-3 tanks and 6 inf by transport, making a Russian counter-attack there in R2 highly dubious even if maximized. At the same time entering Bessarabia with the small contingent from Romania should be fitting, immediately putting pressure on two fronts.

To follow up the pressure on Leningrad, the G2-buy can be 1 des in sz 113, 10 land units (like 6 inf and 4 art) in Ger and 2 sb in W Ger.

Germany wants to get the bombing of Russian factories going asap. In G2 Germany can bomb the Ukrainian mIC with 1 sb (and also in G3, unless Italy did it as well). In G3 the (hopefully 3-4) sb’s can support the attack on Leningrad (if not abandoned) while setting up for bombing Moscow from either the Baltic, E Poland or Bessarabia, whichever is the safest place to be stationed. More bombers should follow.

Also the German Navy has three objectives in G2. The first is to hunt down any remaining British Navy from sz 111, the second to wipe out the Russian cruiser in the Baltic Sea (whether blocking in sz 114 or staying in sz 115) and the third is to plant a sub in sz 125. Not certain all three are attainable, in which case the priority order is as mentioned.

The 1-2 aa’s from W Ger might be needed back home when the defense is rather weak, especially in G3. They are simply better for defense than attack and 3 aa’s on the eastern front should suffice, with one going north and two south.

trulpen’s Save the Bismarck and aim for a sneaky I2 DOW [OOB G40 2nd]

If not minding to hold out with entering Russia until G3, while getting the sweet 5 IPC Trade with Russia for 3 rounds. Or if the strafe in Yugoslavia outperformed and the army got stuck, why you then might consider to switch to a G3 intrusion in Russia.

Purchase (30 IPC)

Sz112: 1 sub, 1 des, 1 ac - 30

Combat moves

1 sub sz103, 1 sub sz108, 1 fig Holland, 2 fig, 3 tac W Ger, 2 sb Ger -> sz110 -> W Ger

1 sub sz118, 1 sub sz124, 1 bs sz113, 1 fig Norway, 1 tac Ger -> strafe sz111 -> sz112

4 inf, 2 art, 3 tank Holland, 3 tank S Ger, 3 inf, 1 art, 4 mech W Ger -> France

6 inf, 2 art S Ger, 1 tank, 1 tac Poland, 1 tank Romania, 1 tank, 1 fig Slovakia -> Yugoslavia -> 1 fig Tobruk, 1 tac S Italy

Non-combat moves

1 sub sz117 -> sz124

1 cr, 1 tr sz114 -> sz112

2 inf Denmark -> W Ger

3 inf Norway -> Finland +4 inf

1-2 aa W Ger -> Ger

1 inf Romania -> Bulgaria +4 inf

2 inf Slovakia -> Poland

11 inf, 3 art, 3 aaa Ger -> Poland

Analysis

With the power-slam on Yugoslavia, Italy is free to move both its tanks to Slovakia, while also setting up its airforce to be able to support a strike on E Poland or the Baltic and also bomb the Ukrainian mIC. No need to strafe since Germany won’t enter Russia until G3 anyway, having consolidated it’s forces for the front.

On its 2nd round Italy declares war on Russia and moves in. If there is a small blocker in the Baltic both tanks should go there, preferably supported by atleast one plane (same goes with E Poland if that’s preferred). Otherwise all three front areas can be annexed through blitz. This makes german forces being able to enter the Baltic or E Poland in NCM on G3 (also through transport) and also landing air support, letting Russia make the DOW on its R3, while still getting the 5 IPC NO from not being at war with Russia.

A G2-buy needs atleast 1 des and from there could include like 2 inf and 2 sb in W Ger and 10 inf in Ger.

As in the G2 DOW, the 1-2 aa’s can gladly go back home to W Ger in G2. The defense of W Ger can be a little bit stronger now with 2 extra trannies on the table shuffling troops to Leningrad from Ger, where a train of 6 inf/art can go from W Ger to Ger each round, so they’re not as needed, but will probably get more useful on the western front anyway.

trulpen’s G2 DOW heading for Moscow [OOB G40 2nd]

This opening is an inspiration from COW. Instead of G1 though, it’s a way for Germany to primarily aim for a G2 DOW against Russia. Saving the battleship is nice, but more of a parenthesis here. There is significant strategic gain with a G2 DOW instead of G3, but Germany needs a solid plan to execute. This route focuses on going directly for Moscow, getting other key sites like Leningrad and Ukraine on the way only if it doesn’t disturb the main goal.

Purchase (30 IPC)

Ger: 3 mech, 3 tank - 30

Combat moves

1 sub sz103, 1 sub sz108, 1 fig Holland, 2 fig, 2 tac W Ger, 1 tac Ger, 2 sb Ger -> sz110 -> 3 fig, 3 tac Holland, 2 sb W Ger

1 sub sz118, 1 sub sz124, 1 bs sz113, 1 fig Norway, 1 tac W Ger -> strafe sz111 -> W Ger

4 inf, 2 art, 3 tank Holland, 3 tank S Ger, 3 inf, 1 art, 4 mech W Ger -> France -> S Italy

6 inf, 2 art S Ger, 1 inf Romania, 1 fig Slovakia, 1 tac Poland -> strafe Yugoslavia -> Romania, 1 fig Tobruk, 1 tac S Italy

Non-combat moves

1 sub sz117 -> sz124

1 cr, 1 tr sz114 -> sz112

3 aa W Ger -> Holland

2 inf Denmark -> W Ger

3 inf Norway -> Finland +4 inf

11 inf, 3 art, 3 aaa Ger -> Poland

2 inf Slovakia -> Poland

1 tank Slovakia -> Romania

1 tank Romania -> Bulgaria +4 inf

Analysis

Now Germany is optimally set for stacking in E Poland on G2. If possible, do also enter Bessarabia to pressure Ukraine, but holding E Poland is more important.

Enter in the North by Leningrad as well as Russia then gets pressure on all fronts. If they move in to save Leningrad or such (oh yes, it’s a trap!), all the better since those units won’t make it back to Moscow in time.

No need to bomb Leningrad, since anything built there in R2 will be useless or suboptimal. Maybe bomb Ukraine, but likely the Russians will retreat from there anyway. Risking a sb and then having to repair the mIC might simply be counter-productive.

The G2-buy of 66 IPC is simply 3 mech and 7 tank in Germany and 1 sb in W Germany.

On G3 buy 1 fig, 1 tac and 2 sb in W Germany.

Continue the invasion by stacking in W Ukraine. Grab Leningrad and Ukraine if possible, but do not deviate resources that are aimed for Moscow.

On G4 simply buy 4 sb in W Ger and 3 tank in Ukraine. If the latter is not available for building, then just 1 or 2 more sb’s.

Bomb the hell out of Moscow with 4-5 sb and stack everything in Bryansk, including all available air.

Italy should’ve set up on its I2 to have 2 tank and all air in E Poland in order to do an essential can-opener of Bryansk in I3, maybe also buying a sb in I2.

In G5 there will be the glorious battle of Moscow. This should favour Germany with +20 inf, 5 art, 10 mech, 19-22 tanks and a heap of Luftwaffe even if Russia has defensively turtled.

Lets say Russia has built only inf and has about 65 of them in Moscow. It’s still a +90 % battle for Germany, although likely most land units will be gone.

trulpen’s G3 DOW Barbarossa Economy-push [BM3]

Got some feedback and questions on these posts of mine. Proves atleast someone reads them, which inspired me to put into print what I believe is the strongest opening for Germany in Balanced Mod 3.

I studied @axis-dominion as Axis against @JDOW in their L20 A semi-final. Two masters. A battle of giants. Well worth the time invested.

This opening arise from those impressions. I’m aware that it’s rather bold then to claim this opening as “mine”, but you may (if benevolent) interpret the heading more as a concept or trademark of sorts.

Saving the Bismarck by the lines of my previous opening discussions regarding OOB is still a viable strategy. Although still functional, I believe it’s a bit weaker in BM3. An early Sea Lion is still a safe way to throw the game away, which is further accentuated in BM3.

First some general concepts focusing on the difference of BM3 from OOB. The Russian land-leases don’t come into effect until R3, which means that G is in no certain need of extra subs for G2. The Vichy rule-set makes the conquering or softening of Normandie rational.

There’s also no real advantage in making a G2 DOW. Russia’s income will be the same because of the new NO and G has to wait for the stack from Berlin anyway in order to take solid control of Ukraine. Russia is clearly stronger in BM3, why an early all-out take-down of Moscow, aka Crushia, is susceptible to failure. Germany instead benefits going for the economic benifits of controlling Stalingrad and Caucasus while simply containing the Bear from Bryansk for some time.

For these reasons I think the best strategy is to power-slam Yugoslavia while preparing for the G3 DOW. The idea of the purchase (2 inf, 6 mech) is that the 2 inf will play a role in E Poland and the mechs will make it down in time in order to control the ukrainian mIC, while inf or art are too slow and won’t make it. Germany really wants to take control of that factory asap.

The Bismarck will hide safely in z113 with the cr and tr. 2 subs hit z110 with 8-9 air and 2 other subs hit z106. This makes both sea battles rather secure. The fifth sub will hold for NCM to plant itself in z112.

The UK z111-fleet will be untouched for now, but only has one truly safe alternative for escape, which is hovering by Iceland with scramble support.

Normandie should be hit with some small force. I find 1 inf, 1 mech, 1 sb to be good, but there are of course alternatives, like 1 inf, 1 art, 1 mech or such. The tac from Poland could go to either Paris or Yugo. The latter is safer since it won’t expose the plane to aa. There should still be enough force to crush Paris without too severe causalties.

Bulgaria and Finland are annected as usual with 3 respective 1 inf. I usually prefer to shift over 1 inf, 1 aa to Norway from z113. The fig and eventual tac that hit Yugo may preferably land in Rome. If the tac from Germany hit either Normandie or z110 and survived, it has to land in Holland, which then needs to be supported. I’d say 2 aa, 1 fig, 3 tac is enough.

Purchase (30 IPC)

2 inf, 6 mech

Combat moves

1 sub z107, 1 sub z118 -> z106

1 sub sz103, 1 sub sz108, 1 fig Holland, 1 fig Norway, 2 fig, 3 tac WG, 1 tac Berlin, 1 sb Berlin -> sz110 -> 1 fig, 3 tac Holland, 3 fig, 1 tac, 1 sb WG alternatively if the tac didn’t survive all air land in WG

1 inf Holland, 1 mech WG, 1 sb Berlin -> Normandie -> WG

3 inf, 2 art, 3 tank Holland, 3 tank S Ger, 3 inf, 1 art, 3 mech WG -> France

6 inf, 2 art S Ger, 1 tank, 1 tac Poland, 1 inf, 1 tank Romania, 2 inf, 1 tank, 1 fig Slovakia -> Yugoslavia -> Rome

Non-combat moves

1 sub z124 -> z112

1 cr, 1 tr sz114 -> sz113

1 inf Denmark, 1 aa -> tr z113 -> Norway

1 inf Denmark -> WG

2 aa -> Holland (if a tac has to land there)

3 inf Norway -> Finland + 4 inf

11 inf, 3 art, 3 aaa Berlin -> Slovakia

3 inf Poland -> Slovakia

1 inf Romania -> Bulgaria + 4 inf

Analysis

Germany is not pressuring Russia at all at the moment, but mainly preparing for a lethal push starting on G3. The first two main goals of the Barbarossa-expedition are taking control of Leningrad and Ukraine, because of the factories that will be able to pump out slow-movers by the front.

G2 will deploy the eastern pansar depending on Russia’s set-up. If necessary 3 mech, 3 tank may position themselves in Poland for the conquest of Leningrad. Italy should have 2 tanks, 1 sb in position to can-open the Baltic. Italy’s main early task is to act as can-opener for Germany.

The core of the G2-purchase of 70 IPC should be a des and mostly mechs, atleast 10. This allows to threaten pesky subs and putting immense pressure on Russia.

Mechs are actually the golden unit for Germany and the ration of mech/tank should be a lot higher than 1 (insight from @axis-dominion), something like 2/1 or even 3/1 is very rational. Tanks are great, but expensive. The point is obviously that mechs are cheaper, have great flexibility and protects other units, namely art, tanks and air.

A sb is usually a good investment, but at this point 3 more mechs is probably better. There could be a call for a sub or two as well, but this is far from certain.

The G3-purchase of usually slightly above 50 IPC should again be based on atleast 10 mechs, unless something particular happened that needs a higher priority. This will allow Germany to make progress in the south-east of Russia. A stalling halt has to be avoided at almost all costs.

Germany doesn’t have to immediately threaten to annihilate the Russian stack, but it is sufficient to be able to clamp down on Rostov and be able to hold it without air-support in case Russia denied Italy access by heavy blocking. It’s not bad, since the block is crushed. That’s always a tough blow for Russia. They just lost a lot of valuable units, usually something like 4-5 inf and an aa, likely only taking 1-2 german inf along with them.

Losing control of the mIC in Ukraine for one turn is totally worth it. Germany now takes definite control over Stalingrad and Caucasus, which means an income-boost of 14 IPC. This is key.

Russia has limited options. They may stay in Bryansk, but this means Moscow is exposed. They can’t really afford another block-crush, so most likely retreats to a huddling position in Moscow. Goal accomplished.

Just got the the game. It’s been a long time since I was involved with AandA (10 years?). So bare with my novice questions.

Why not G1 DOW on Russia?

And if so, why isn’t a big infantry buy the way to go for round 1 purchase, followed by mech/tanks in round 2 and then tanks, tanks, tanks? Is G6-G7-G8 too late to take Russia?

@Stough said in Germany playbook: overall strategy guide:

Why not G1 DOW on Russia?

Think it says in the rule-book: Germany isn’t ready for it. ;) Despite that I believe a G1DOW does work in OOB, although it might be weaker than a later DOW. Germany can however not secure any territories by this time and Russia gets a lot of bonus-income.

@Stough said in Germany playbook: overall strategy guide:

And if so, why isn’t a big infantry buy the way to go for round 1 purchase, followed by mech/tanks in round 2 and then tanks, tanks, tanks? Is G6-G7-G8 too late to take Russia?

It’s a viable buy, but again, a bit weaker. The problem for Germany is that they are slow. What really gets Germany going is making progress towards rich bounty in Russia. I think that with an inf/art-purchase G1 those units won’t make it to Ukraine in time and the german stack will likely halt for one turn by G5. Getting stalled is bad.