A question to all…

Give him Germany. After about two or three games he’ll be forced to get better, and fast. If not, you kick the pants off him. That motivated me to do better…

he might not be motivated he may give up.

You don’t want the person losing right off the bat….that would just discourage him. I found that by giving him the opportunity to play his way, win or lose, he has more fun and picks up on others strategies as well.

that would just be cheating. he wouldn’t learn the game playing that way.

yeah but video games and a board game like axis and allies just aren’t the same.

i had the same problem it was not that i couldnt get the hang of it but it was the fact that me a was a newbie and i played my uncle who has had the game for around 30 years i could play the game as a played with my cousin, but when playing my uncle i knew he was very experienced so therefore i darent do nothing becuase if the move i done wasent a good move he would critizize me,so i suggest,dont critizize your friends moves it will discourage him,give him a bit of advice and let him get on with him he problem knows you are more experienced at it, just give him a little time and encouragement i cant remember how i overcome the critizism, i played with my cousin i guess who’s playing abilitys was more on my level so i learnt to play better becuase i could progress more when playing with my cousin the game lasted a lot longer normally playing more uncle he defeated me before i had the chance to conquer russia so playing my cousin i ocassionally defeated russia and then i was stuck didnt know what to do, but after a few times defeating russia i could progress further and further

The UK is the most difficult Allied country to play. They are concerned about Europe, Asia and Africa. The proper use of the UK air is critical, as is the balance between Africa and Europe/Asia.

The US is relatively easy to play, once you coordinate naval movements…but that can be a challenge for newbies.

The Russkies are the second most difficult country to play in a longer game. However, in most games, if you can get him to abide by a standard opening move, then he will have 2-4 turns of mostly conservative defence. He can learn alot by simply watching the UK/US naval movements and the UK use of air to support him in Asia.

So, for a newbie…teach him an opening or two and then let him play Russia.

On the Axis side, let him play Japan. Japan is one of the easiest countries for a newbie to play because you start with a lot, and it is pretty hard NOT to do fairly decent in the first few turns and expand. Plus he will have lots of fun moving all the pieces. :smile: The Axis may not win, but at least he will expand some and learn the fundamentals.

Generally, it is easier to learn the Axis than the Allies…simply because there is much less direct coordination between the players. You don’t have to worry about coordinating naval movements or covering ground forces with the other’s air…at least, not nearly as much as the Allies.

So my first choice with a newbie is always Japan. Less coordination, more time, and less chance of critical errors smoking him early.

SUD

just want to say I totally agree with SUD (above post).

Jondifool