Question: When italy joins axis - is that a declaration of war?

Thanks RC!

@Royal:

See now this is interesting, because I’m playing Germany, and I don’t have nearly enough troops to get through Russia. It’s 1942, and I’m basically trying to hold onto the, what I call, “Leningrad line.” I built a lot of infantry, which in the end caused tons of problems because They simply can’t get to the front line fast enough. Don’t get me wrong, I make about 80 IPP’s, but I don’t have the mechanized power to keep the Russians at bay. What they have done is basically let me have everything, and stacked artillery and Militia in Moscow and Stalingrad, making them unreasonable to even try to attack. I don’t know what to do! America is just about to enter the war and throw roughly 10 transports at my door. Italy is doing well owning all of Africa, but Japan never did well and China and is basically 3 years behind the ballpark. I could start buying strategic bombers, but it seems like carpet bombing is a waste, even with heavy bombers.

That brings me to a question that I would like to have input on for everyone who is reading this Forum (Thanks by the way, I really needed some feedback like this!) Carpet bombing only hits on a 2 or less, which is like hitting on a 1 for a D6, but worse because there’s more sides. (I know statistics are the same but they still never seem to hit!) I was thinking about increasing carpet bombing to a 3 or less, to give them the real firepower they had. I know that they were really good at simply destroying cities, but the only concept that can show that is by destroying factories. What do you guys think? Would it be too strong, or do you think it would be okay?

I don’t think Germany should be able to “go through Russia”. Historically, it wasn’t the case. It is one of many of A&A legacies / fallacies. The Victory Points gives you a hint as to what territories are important to win the game. Germany wins nothing except a few IPPs by conquering Moscow. If the Russian player in your game has stacked Moscow & Stalingrad with slow units, he has lost the game.

Re Carpet bombing, I like the rules as they are (and so does everyone else in my group). Strategic bombers are meant for infrastructure. Historically, ‘carbet bombing’ armies were not effectively used in WW2.

@Whitshadw:

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Piss Off  El Cheapo !!!

http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=38414.0

Has a few ideas I used for this exact issue. I’ve changed a few things since with the chips colours. It was a bit overwhelming at first.

Though over time I’ve started to buy or make some pieces to replace these chips from hbg. Occasionally they are out of stock on some stuff.  Some we used often and others we didn’t bother with. Torpedo boat destroyers for example were not worth it for us we just switched to destroyers for these at setup. For now….

HBG says you can play with global40 oob pieces. But a few items are nice to have extra.

Found it way cheaper to buy some units from hbg. The pieces from Pacific or Europe 40. Some are sold in a complete bag for a nation uk and usa most likely in stock. And spray paint any extra colours you want. Dutch orange, yellow comunist china and spain to augment the special units in the same colours i bought.

If money isn’t an issue I’d say call or email the folks at HBG and get everything you need there. They know their stuff and can assist you with the pieces and options required. Have had lots of communication with them. They are very good at getting back to you and assisting with your orders!

3 points

we did mess up with regards to the minor axis, I assumed that the only reason the didn’t benefit from the second impulse is because they weren’t going to be at war with anyone.  So as a result you would have to wait until at least the second turn to invade Russia otherwise you can’t get enough men into Russia.

if on turn three the UK declares war on Japan and Japan retaliates on turn four that would not cause France and the UK to declare war on Germany. Only an unprovoked Japanese attack would effect German uk/french relations.

this strategy is hard mainly because the rules never considered france surviving past the second turn.  For example France can’t research.  Also pro allied status is hard because does an invasion of a pro allied nation cause war with the UK.  Not according to the rules.  Also can a non active allied player claim a pro allied nation.

The bottom line is if you aren’t willing to use house rules the strategy can’t work.  The designers never considered this strategy and as a result the rules are just too unclear in too many places for it to work without house rules.  The strategy is a bust.  I would like to see a consideration of this strategy in the next version of the rules.  But I don’t expect it.

Also sorry I haven’t provided pictures of the game.  We are on Italy turn three.  My friend and I smoked weed and I completely forgot to take pictures.  I will resume picture taking when we play again.  Ahaha.  Russia and the allies are looking very strong though.  Germany has more money than Russia but just can’t get enough troops to the front line with transports and the minor in karelia. They need to be able to build in enemy lands.

Hey Tigerman, I just played my first game yesterday.  I really enjoyed it and I want to say thank you for developing a great game.  It is an awesome advanced-level axis & allies that should keep even the best players challenged for years to come.

I was playing as USSR and our side won!  I Just wanted to give you a few first impressions as newbie player feedback for your interest:

I really like some of the mechanics of the game that give you more options (e.g. mechs towing artillery; paratroopers, fortresses)

There are a couple of oddities about the map that I don’t like (e.g. Australia and Cairo are far more vulnerable than in the Global 1940 map; only 1 move from USA to Normandy).  Seem to me not enough sea zones in a few areas.

Axis have a lot of advantages (e.g. blitzkrieg, sneak attack, banzai, all kinds of special units) and the allies don’t seem to have much going for them.  It feels very weighted toward the axis side.

Not all of the powers are equal difficulty to handle.  Each has strengths and weaknesses, but overall I would say the guy who plays UK has a much more difficult job than others do.  Just managing all those economies looks very hard.

Germany gets $5 tanks so they can build just tanks and slaughter Russia early. Meanwhile if Russia rolls poorly for income the first few rounds they might not have much to fight back with. Maybe Russia getting $2 infantry could balance that, or more expensive German tanks.  In Global 1940 Germany has to use all 5 kinds of ground units effectively (inf, art, mech, tank, AA) and coordinate air support for combined arms.  In Global War 1939 if Germany can kill Russia just building tanks (less efficient than mech/art combos), then that tells you Russia is too weak.  Another bump might be to give Russia fortresses in Moscow and Stalingrad as well as Leningrad.

South Africa as a separate economy means it is a very small economy.  It can’t do much to help defend or liberate Cairo.  It should be part of the UK economy or at least UK should be able to mobilize more units there (mobile ones).

USSR needs a minor IC either in Stalingrad or Baku and they can’t afford to build one.  If they one in that area they might be able to send some mobile units down to Cairo.

Again, thanks for all your hard work on this game.

Read the rules. Generally happy with what I see. Greatly simplified in the right places (e.g. no more US dud torpedoes) while some optional complexity is added in others (terrain rules).

One thing I really do miss, however, is the inability to retreat for the defender?? Was that decision made simply for reasons of added playing time?