Xeno Games's World at War (1939 version of A&A)

I just read over the 4th edition rules. Thanks for the link WG.

It appears they made alot of subtle changes.

I like the rule that removes transports last in navy combat.
I dont like the extra ipc for 1 infantry placement outside factory.
I kind of like the the limit on AAguns (3 per piece). It forces you to buy more.
I Don’t like the convoy rules. It seems a bit weighted down.
I really don’t like the levels of damage/production to/for factories.
I don’t like bonus given to Germany for their first attack(limit one area) into Russia +1/-1(if this is not a added rule, I do not ever remember using it)
And I don’t like the new technologies

Kamikazi is something you should not have to research.
The German Tiger/King is silly. The game takes place on a grand scale it is not necessary to lable armor types. SS panzer units are enough. The armor piece you buy represents all types of tanks and assult guns and maybe even self-propelled arty.
It just seems too bogged down. Unnecessary.

I should note that I do like some of the techs.

Last time I talked to Mike “Xeno” he said that he had a stack of E@W maps so was not looking to do an update.

Yes thats correct… but when he does sell the inventory he will not reprint but rather make another version. This is further along down the pipeline. Dont expect anything for a few years. The WAW thing is something that is in a much shorter window. But that too requires the inventory to be first sold.

I suspect you people dont actually use the pieces from Xeno games right? They are so poorly made Id only use them for neutrals.

I’m moving this to the A&A Variants forum because that is what this is.

@Imperious:

I suspect you people dont actually use the pieces from Xeno games right? They are so poorly made Id only use them for neutrals.

There are no other A&A blue sets. So you kind of need them.

Besides, who would go to war aithout the white russians….

Squirecam

For blue you just buy a can of french blue and order more pieces from hasbro. You can just order the map and rules from Xeno (i did) and save on all the fluff and use revised pieces. If your lazy then YES you too can own the neon orange and green plastic bits

I’ve dealt with the infantry recruitment dilemma by including a limited number of “recruitment depots” on the map.  These reflect those areas where a power did assemble troops, or might have recruited troops if they held that area.  Only one can be built per turn, and only by a specific power if it controls that territory.

For example Britain starts in control of Italian East Africa.  But this only has an Italian infantry depot (native Askaris) so the UK cannot place a new infantry here.  But if the Italians recapture the territory they can place a new inf here on their next turn supposing they still control it.
In some cases I had to speculate as to who would be able to recruit soldiers in which territories, as they never came under the appropriate control in history.
I don’t think this limited placement is unbalancing; it’s only one inf per turn and powers did recruit infantry units in colonies.

I also have the “Osttruppen” rule, whereby whenever Germany/Italy capture a territory from the Soviets they gain one free infantry to represent local anti-communists joining up.  Germany had over 1 million Soviet citizens in it’s army at one point.  Of course these were not front-line quality, but by occupying rear echelon roles they did free up better troops for the cutting edge battles, so this is not unrealistic.

:-o
May I suggest a possible infantry change based on historic facts. Russians had more men, Germans had better equipment and training for their troops not to mention their skill at combined arms tactics. So, why not let the Russians have their cheap infantry buys while giving the Germans a bonus in attack strength, say 2 in attack and 2 in defense when combined with armor or air units, ( no need for Artillary). Now that is what I call an easy fix. Since the germans start out with more tanks and planes than thier opponents they will kick butt early. But when the allies start to build up their combined arms, Germany will be overwhelmed in numbers. So the axis better do a lot of damage real quick to win.
    Should be more fun though.
If someone does play-test this in a game could they let me know how it worked out? Thanks.

:roll: Crazy Ivan

If something doesn’t work right,
                  fix it!
    I can’t help it, I’m left handed