If the object of the game was kill all Japanese capitol ship, how would you do it?,

Thanks.

Our Japan player elected not to use the J1 attack.  America came into the war on turn 2 though.  That worked out well for Japan overall as he was able to establish himself  better in the money islands before having to deal with America.

Germany elected to keep Russia out of the war the maximum 3 turns (Russia declared on his 4th turn).    He now regrets that and wants to play Germany again when we play our 2nd game and press Russia sooner.

@Nippon-koku:

Great points all around.  I’m starting to think Japan would have to attack turn 1 for this to work, like Wild Bill suggested.  Get it right off the bat.

Maybe a better first round buy would be 1 factory and 2 transports?  I agree you still have to get men down to the DEI.  The good news: if you can keep America from heading down that way for a while you can take the islands with minimal sea power.

Exactly, with US at port the other Pac allies are backing up.

I like to save the IC purchase for J2 so I can place it on FIC, might buy 3 transports, or maybe 2 transports +dd to replace losses. J2 you can take Malaya, and start grabbing Money Islands etc….as you press Hawaii which could be ripe for the taking as well.

@diabo:

in my group we play in similar ways, but i think it is not wise to do japan’s turn, BEFORE russia bought units.

another thing is, i have to admit, i had to smile that you regarded france as a block for itself… ;)

If there were a reason to change Japan’s strategy based on what Russia purchases, I’m sure it would be a minor issue. A larger issue is the time it takes for Japan to finish their turn, in my experience, Japan is the biggest culprit when it comes to clock consumption and getting Japan started right away is paramount for quick games.

(The way I play Germany:)
Create 1 huge army that marches into Russia and arrives in Bryansk G5, ready to attack Moscow G6, together with purchases from G5 (aircraft in Berlin/fast in Ukraine). Purchases in G1/2/3/4/5 are always aimed at maximally reinforcing this marching ‘deathball’, like ghr and Demandr described.

Russia has no choice but to surrender Leningrad+Ukraine and Germany should gladly take them with some token forces (1 to 2 inf + air).

What the Allies CAN do about this (very generally speaking because of all the variables): Russia retreats into Moscow while building a lot of inf + ART(!). RAF helps to defend it. UK + USA getting strong at Gibraltar/London + Middle East and, very important, setting up ‘bomber command’. Comes G6 Germany cannot attack Moscow because it is too heavily defended. Luftwaffe is tied into Russia (making life easier for the allies preparing for DDay) because otherwise Russia begins counter-attacking, ending the German presence there. Germany can take Caucasus + Stalingrad but NOT in force because then the Russians can break out where it is most effective, attacking and destroying the German army defending Bryansk if there is still some there. If there is not, because all the Germans are in Caucasus/Stalingrad, what is to stop Russia from retaking Leningrad, Ukraine and all those juicy eastern-european countries? Nada.
Too bad this game has no ‘out-of-supply’ rules as this is exactly what happend in Russia, starving the massive German army in Stalingrad.

In the pacific, the USA + ANZAC have Allied task number 1: prevent an Axis (Pac 6VC) win. This does not mean Japan has to be killed (though you can certainly try), but Hawai + Sydney must be held. If Japan crushes India this is an easy job. If Japan clearly invests in taking Hawai/Sydney (luckily the USA goes after Japan so can react), the task is more difficult, but India will be safe  longer and can even become strong strong strong if Japan focuses too much on Hawai. Most Japanese players I have seen, invest heavily into taking India and Middle East and THEN they try to take Hawai/Sydney. This gives the USA breathing space to invest around 20% per turn into the Pacific, spending 80% of its income into Europe. By the time Japan is ready to invest into taking Hawai the USA can switch to near 100% into Pacific (depending on the Japanese investments) without a problem because its forces in Europe are already massive.

Note that I am using the LL system in my games (and posts) to predict/dictate what major powers must do to stay alive. The LL system is usually pretty accurate and if the dice screw you up, well, then it’s the dice, not strategy, that cost you the game.

@ch0senfktard:

Russia doesn’t get the bonus.
The rule doesn’t say “Axis powers that Russia is at war with.”
So, Germany can deny Russia’s bonus even if they aren’t at war with Russia.

Another thing, if Italy captured a Russian territory on its turn, Germany could noncombat move into that territory without declaring war.

Such a lame rule

@wittmann:

Agreed. That NO could even replace the Strategic outer defensive perimeter(Guam, Midway etc.).
Conquering China is difficult and much effort is required; this would be the reward.

Yeah, and it is at least possible too. That 5 island NO is next to impossible. I have had games where Japan won on the Pacific board and still didn’t get that NO. The only time I have gotten it was when the Allies spent most of their resources in Europe and Japan was allowed to go hog wild.

http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=28013.0

yes it comes with global rules.

Field marshal Games is taking preorders for Europe.
http://www.fieldmarshalgames.com/axis-allies-europe-1940.html