Some tips against a aggressive axis player

Current game I took gargantua’s suggestion of buying 6 tanks R1 in the face of a Barbarossa buy. Needless to say Russia and Germany traded Eastern Poland multiple times. Obviously, once his air and the Italians showed up I had to start retreating but that play bought Russia a few extra turns for the US/UK to build a landing force.

Edit: I only recommend this against a G2 German stack in Eastern Poland if he is using his air G2 to bomb london thus bringing a few crucial planes out of his counter attack.

Hi timelord,

@timelord:

I usually buy 6 infantry, 2 artillery, and 1 fighter on turn 1

Does this mean your opponent is threatening London on G1 by buying air or naval units?
(also, that UK buy exceeds their budget)

@timelord:

Italy will hit Africa and build up, he never moves the Italian fleet but consolidates his forces.

What do you mean by “hit Africa”?
And are you attacking both SZ96 and SZ97 on UK1?

@timelord:

the British in the Pacific can’t get into the war unless Japan declares, and he never does, making U.S and Britain wait it out

You mean, Japan doesn’t declare until round 3?

The British/ANZAC are allowed to make an unprovoked declaration of war against Japan at any point. The US will be able to get national objective money on US3 Collect no matter what, so you may want to find a way to do some damage to Japan on UK2.

Your opponent’s play seems pretty solid and standard, critical path.

It is really hard to stop the Moscow push, and even harder if he bombs you like crazy.

Only way to save Moscow from this strategy is to fly in the 3 Anzac, 4-5 UK and 2-3 Rus planes.  GM Cow suggests bringing in a stack of US bombers to act as casualties, or strikers.

If Germany spends money on ships, that may limit Allies moves later (turn 4-6), or threaten UK, but it draws away from this push.    If he is going straight for the heart every time, the only remedy is to defend Moscow like crazy, he still takes your economy.  Japan is structurally much weaker than Germany so if you put a lot of pressure on Japan, they can’t come in and deal the killing blow.

You can tweak these considerations by playing with Balance Mod rules or Young Grasshopper rules, but the critical path (Germany 100% into Moscow G5/6) is, by definition, the clearest way for the axis to win.

Allied play tends to be more nuanced, long game, and–once you realize how weak Japan is, focused on that map.  Putting some forces in the Atlantic is fine but Germany simply isn’t as economically threatened by the incoming invasion, the loss of Italy hardly matters and it takes their entire stack to do it.

If your opponent isn’t threatening London at all, then you can be more aggressive with your UK1 Buy (more air or mech/tank for S. Africa). This may help contain Italy faster.

India can hurt Japan easiest by attacking Yunnan and Siam. Buying tanks and/or mechs can help with that (just don’t go overboard). Mobile units can also sometimes let you attack Malaya or FIC in the future, if things are going well.

Try hard to keep Moscow as long as possible by sending in planes from other powers, BUT if it becomes clear that Moscow is doomed (i.e. the Germans have overwhelming advantage and will capture Moscow easily) then consider retreating from Moscow. if the Soviet army joins up with the British in the Middle East, that can buy time.

Or you can try to play cat-and-mouse inside Russia after you abandon Moscow: either Germany chases you around (wasting time) or they ignore you to attack Cairo (meaning they can’t defend all 3 of the VC in Russia).

Taranto is a strong way of strengthening the Allied chances.  2 fighters from London can reach SZ97 with the CV.

If there is no chance of a sea lion, an IC buy for Egypt can be quite strong. Don’t attack Ethiopia without a bid unit, if it goes bad Egypt looks in trouble. Generally, Egypt can be blocked with all 3 of Alexandria, SZ97 and SZ96. Of course, you can get unlucky., but Italy normally needs both the overland and sea routes to take Egypt I1.

we usually don’t put it there until later in the game b/c there are just so many other things to do/buy and it isn’t safe from an Axis air lightsabering

last game I looked over and there was a brit armor with a red chip, even though I had an awesome Italian navy with 2 carriers and 40 income on turn 7-8

Try this;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4vpY_DGQJY

If he doesn’t like to take London then you should be able to accomplish it easily.

If he is going hard on Russia and is deliberately trying to keep the USA out of the war, then you really need to strengthen the impact of the UK globally.

UK Pacific: If he is not choosing to declare war on the UK Pacific with Japan than you will be able to easily get the Dutch East Indies. This can boost UK Pacific’s income by more than 10 which will help them build up. If he is sending units into Siberia you can recognize that he is avoiding victory cities. Japan can’t win without getting 6 victory cities so what you do is you can fortify Hawaii, Calcutta, and Sydney. Especially if he is not declaring war until around turn 4. UK Pacific also starts with 3 AA guns which can be powerful against Japan’s large airforce. Additionally, since it sounds like he is really focusing on China, then the best thing you can do is protect the fighter plane. The Chinese fighter plane can land in Burma which the Japanese cannot attack unless they declare war on the UK. His strategy of not attacking the UK with Japan reduces the impact of the USA and keeps them out of the war. You can turn the tables by preserving your units and possibly forcing him to have to change tactics.

On the European side

In my experience the Taranto raid is so debilitating against the Italian invasion of Africa that Britain can normally clean up any chances of continued Italian relevance in the Mediterranean. Even if Germany successfully captures Moscow he will need either London or Cairo to win the game.

With England try this general plan: Attack SZ 97 with Bomber, Carrier, Tactical Bomber, 3 Fighter, Destroyer, Cruiser. Attack S96 with Fighter and Cruiser. (If the Cruiser at SZ 91 sunk send the cruiser that would have attacked SZ 97 to this fight. Sink any remaining Germany navy with your destroyers near Canada or London. Non combat you can land at Malta and pull your forces back to Egypt. You can also get Persia or if you wanted during combat attack Iraq. Italy’s remaining fleet is not large enough to take on your two navies in the Med and the French navy. Your’re surving navy and aircraft should be able to move to the Mediterranean and finish off the Italian navy. I don’t think you need a factory in Egypt. The units London starts with can supply troops from South Africa or India to Egypt. Once Italy can no longer transport units to Africa you can convoy them.

After the situation in the Mediterranean is free then you can focus on Germany. You have to disrupt Germany’s focus. Germany can make a lot of money on the European board, but its not enough to fight 3 players at the same time. If he is not attempting Sea Lion than you can prepare your own invasion fleet. Carriers and fighters can protect your ships and you can use those fighters as escorts in bombing raids against Germany. Some people also like to land in Norway early. Germany normally has to commit air power to retake Norway if they lose it. However due to the NO capturing Norway reduces Germany’s income by 8. If you can hold Leningrad you can attempt a joint defense.

You can lose Moscow and still win the game. It is important to take out Italy’s power in the med early. Once Cairo and London are safe German really only has one way to go and they can’t capture Moscow before the USA enters and turns the tide.

If Germany is buying large amounts of aircraft or submarines you should try to buy destroyers and antiaircraft guns.

Some general Allies tips:

1. demand a bid if the opponent has a similar skill level.
2. use subs to convoy raid Italy and Japan.
     2b) try to force Japan to be trading a destroyer for a sub each round.
3. add enough U.K. planes to delay the fall of Moscow
4. get foothold in W. Europe or Sweden. Reinforce US landing force with U.K. planes and troops.
5. prevent the fall of Egypt, Hawaii, and Australia.
6. retreat when the odds of a fight will be very much against you.

Well put. Although I think you mean Norway rather than Sweden.

Appreciate some of your comments on the game.