Plastic Playing Pieces

i’m pretty sure the idea is to replace the not-so-crash-hot quality of the standard pieces in AA50 with better ones. hence why FMG is gunning for a full set for each nation. so one nation at a time, most likely with a few tech-upgrade units included

after all, nobody likes pieces that don’t mix well together  :wink:

@TG:

With that said, I think the “correct” build order is:
1. Italy First
2. Other country specific units + unlockable tech units
3. New Custom Units

Definitely, I’d order mine today.

Which leads me into this conclusions regarding new pieces:

• Keep in mind the military distinction between strategic and operational theatres. Some pieces proposed seem to fit more into a operational or even tactical kind of game, like Bulge or Guadalcanal. Mech Artillery, Tank Destroyers, Paratroopers, Cavalry, Heavy Tanks, Fighter Bombers, Naval Fighters, are more fit for those kind of game.
• Make sure that there is a specific niche for those new units, other than simply changing their stats.
  There are a few units that clearly fit into this: Transport plane is one, Commander might be another (see below for more details).
• Pay attention to the KISS principle, which I truly thank Larry Harris to have done so far. It will frustrate some people that they won’t get all the pieces they want, but not adding some units will make it more easier to integrate the new pieces with the existing game without having to create new rules. One example: Cruiser. Without the rework of AA50 on naval units and stats, they would be redundant on Revised. Fighter-bombers would also need some sort of rethinking of aerial combats.
• And finally consider the overall impact on the game. A commander unit that increases the unit stats might be a good idea but it might also imply a race for commanders early on. Bunker units make attacks harder and to me the game works much better if territories are more easily taken than just building stacks of units for defense.

Hobbes makes some excellent observation here.  Another thing I would consider adding to the above is when you are considering creating a new unit for an A&A strategic game (A&A, A&A Revised and A&A 50AVN.)  I ask myself, in WWII, were large military forces (such as Divisions/Brigades, Air Wings/Groups or Naval Groups) formed around that particular unit as the core element of that force and did they exist historically? (For reference purpose, here is a break down of a military Force Structure http://www.aapavatar.net/carepackages/unitsize.htm)
Note: Other nations nations sometimes used different terms that could be confusing but this gives you a general idea.

Some units though I view differently depending on the game.  In the case of ship BB, CA & DD.  In A&A, A&A Revised and A&A 50 Anv. I consider them to represent Naval Groups.  Thus a Battleship actually represent a combined group of DD, CA with the BB representing the largest ship in that group.  CA-represents DD & CA.  DD represents a squadron of DDs.  Where as in Guadalcanal I see them representing a small unit of that class of ship.

So that is something else for FMG to consider.  Do they want to make pieces that will support the main A&A strategic games or for make pieces that would get the most use for all strategic and tactical A&A games?

On a slightly different note.  One reason I would like to see units such as Medium Bombers, Dive bombers, Mech Infantry and CVE, is because it would offer more economic diversity as well as strategic diversity.  There may be times where you can’t afford that Bomber, CVE or Tank but a lesse unit of that type might be sufficient as well as economical.

Out of curiosity FMG, when you say high quality pieces.  Are you saying your units would match the quality of GHQ units (Which I consider very high quality) or something in between GHQ and A&A pieces?  Just curious.

Once again I would like to thank you all for your aid and your great ideas.

We are getting closer to production, we have found a factory that will make the product for us.  What we need now is the following:

OF THE STANDARD UNITS (ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE GAME).  How many of each type should be included with each nation?

I know the community was upset by the configuration given in the AA50 game (To few Italian INF, to many Russian Carriers etc)

Can you post and try to agree on what this configuration should be for each nation?
Can we try to come to some sort of agreement?

Looking forward to what you can all come up with.

Thanks

Will the color of the Italian units be a new color?

PLEASE!!!

@Shakespeare:

Will the color of the Italian units be a new color?

PLEASE!!!

We will make sure each nation is clearly distinguishable.  I will post colours once they are confirmed.

I think all 6 major powers should have the standard 25 infantry and maybe 14-15 tanks?. My only gripe is Italy needs a bigger navy and air force.

Hi guys !

This is my first post on this forum, and I think is great someone will make new playing pieces for Axis & Allies !

In my opinion give each nation in the game the same number of pieces, except China, that would be the best!

First set should include: Each Nation,
25 Infantry, 15 Artillery, 15 Tanks, 15 Fighter, 10 Bomber, 5 Battleship, 5 Aircraft Carrier, 10 Cruiser, 10 Destroyer, 15 Submarine and 10 Transport. China 20 Infantry. With this number of pieces it should be enough for each nation.

And with buying 2 sets, we should have plenty of pieces in reserve!

I also have a wish for an expansion set that would include:

France : Infantry, Artillery, Tanks, Fighter, Bomber, Battleship, Aircraft Carrier, Cruiser, Destroyer, Submarine and Transport.
Minor Country Forces : Infantry, Tank, Fighter and Transport
German Panzergrenadiers Infantry
German Panzer Tank
Russian Guard Infantry
US Marines Infantry
German Blockhouse
Finnish Infantry
Polish Infantry
Minor Axis Infantry
Trucks for Major Nations
Rockets for Major Nations
German Sub-Pen Bunker

With including these pieces, the pieces can also be used for Xeno game World At War!

With including these pieces, the pieces can also be used for Xeno game World At War!

Well thats like cleaning diamonds in a toilet bowl. Xeno is the worst quality and then some.

@Imperious:

With including these pieces, the pieces can also be used for Xeno game World At War!

Well thats like cleaning diamonds in a toilet bowl. Xeno is the worst quality and then some.

I still enjoy playing Xeno game World At War 2005 4th Edition, and it would be great if Axis & Allies released a game starting in 1938/39!

Japan should have more tanks and Italy should have 5 cruisers.

Japanese Infantry can also get in short supply with was supplied.

In my experience Japan needs more inf and more tanks & more art

and of course Italy needs more cruisers and addl art & tanks

While waiting for a source of high quality pieces, here is my solution.  It takes care of the color, and number of pieces (except for Italy).

I combined my AAEurope, AAPacific with my AA50 pieces.  I gave the Soviet Inf from the AAPacific to Italy and added the USA molded Chinese Inf of AAPacific to the Chinese Inf.

At first I only wanted to painted the Italian, Soviet, Chinese, and Japanese pieces.  I got some spray paint for plastic and went to work.  After I was done with these I didn’t like the two tone German, British and American pieces and decided to paint those also.  Here is the result:

I am very pleased with the result.  I am still very interested in replacement of high quality.

@supermestizo:

First set should include: Each Nation,
25 Infantry, 15 Artillery, 15 Tanks, 15 Fighter, 10 Bomber, 5 Battleship, 5 Aircraft Carrier, 10 Cruiser, 10 Destroyer, 15 Submarine and 10 Transport. China 20 Infantry. With this number of pieces it should be enough for each nation.

yeah, probably have enough to go around, sounds like a decent starting point for discussion… this tacks on a couple from what comes standard for the highest counts of each piece.

as for buying 2, of course.

Nice job, El Capitan!    :-)

First set should include: Each Nation,
25 Infantry, 15 Artillery, 15 Tanks, 15 Fighter, 10 Bomber, 5 Battleship, 5 Aircraft Carrier, 10 Cruiser, 10 Destroyer, 15 Submarine and 15 Transport. China 20 Infantry. Neutrals 10 infantry. With this number of pieces it should be enough for each nation.

@Adlertag:

First set should include: Each Nation,
25 Infantry, 15 Artillery, 15 Tanks, 15 Fighter, 10 Bomber, 5 Battleship, 5 Aircraft Carrier, 10 Cruiser, 10 Destroyer, 15 Submarine and 15 Transport. China 20 Infantry. Neutrals 10 infantry. With this number of pieces it should be enough for each nation.

It also would be great with some Neutral Artillery, Tank, Fighter and Bomber.
Neutrals: 10 infantry, 8 Artillery, 8 Tanks, 6 Fighter and 4 Bomber.

And maybe some Neutral ships, 2 Battleship, 2 Cruiser, 4 Destroyer, 4 Submarine and 4 Transport, no need for Neutral Aircraft Carrier!

Colors for each nation could be:

Germany- Black, Dark Grey or Grey
Italy- Grey, Light Grey or Light Blue
Japan- Red or Orange
Great Britain- Tan or Light Brown
U.S.A- Green
Russia- Maroon or Dark Brown
China- Yellow

France- Blue
Neutrals- White

@ElCapitan:

While waiting for a source of high quality pieces, here is my solution.  It takes care of the color, and number of pieces (except for Italy).

I combined my AAEurope, AAPacific with my AA50 pieces.  I gave the Soviet Inf from the AAPacific to Italy and added the USA molded Chinese Inf of AAPacific to the Chinese Inf.

At first I only wanted to painted the Italian, Soviet, Chinese, and Japanese pieces.  I got some spray paint for plastic and went to work.  After I was done with these I didn’t like the two tone German, British and American pieces and decided to paint those also.  Here is the result:

I am very pleased with the result.  I am still very interested in replacement of high quality

Hi El Capitan !

Very nice work, your playing pieces look awsome!
Can I ask you how you painted them, maybe I paint my own, but I want to know how to do it so I dont destroy my playing pieces.