Would anyone say though, that is in fact a good idea to let Japan take India? I mean really. The initial UK setup in India is not good enough to last over the span of even a few turns if Japan is funneling forces in. You can say that building an IC there is not a good idea, but what is the alternative? An IC in Australia? The Imperial Navy is far to strong to pretend that you can send your 2 inf/1 tank 1 infantry a turn over to SE Asia. I think that the UK is best used by causing problems in North Africa, strat bombing Germany, harassing the Japanese in the Pacific, and massing for Overlord. I just dont see a viable alternative to an IC in India. It is something that can be done in turn 2 (after watching Japans turn one) that can have an immediate impact on that theatre. It is either that, or basically admit that you wont have a say in the Pacific.

I guess I am a frustrated player who’s is tired of the watching the UK player do nothing(in most games i have seen). Sitting there building 10 infantry a turn, and fighting a delaying action in Egypt is not an effective use of the difficult to use, yet profitable UK.

@Flashman:

Sorry, but the Italian roundel is TOTALLY inappropriate, as it was used only by the ALLIED Italian air force after the country switched sides in 1943.
It should be the fasces symbol beyond dispute.
However much of a git Mussolini may have been, his regime wasn’t in the same league of evil as Hitler’s and Stalin’s, so to ban the fasces and still use the hammer and sickel is just plain daft.
Or is it really all about who ended up on the winning side…

Well, the green outside/red inside roundel was used by the Italians in WWI (again, as part of the Allies/Detente). But it totally agree with you. I think if the hammer and sickle is used in the game, all historically accurate insignias should be used for what is an incredibly accurate WWII game. I know that this would hurt sales in places like Germany and Italy(due to banned party imagery), but its already pretty clear Avalon Hill doesn’t give a hoot about AA. This would not be a endorsement of the Nazi or Fascist Parties; rather it would be an honest reproduction of who was fighting in this war, and what idealogies were being  We can pretend Nazis and Fascists didn’t exist, but sadly many brave people died to stop their evil from spreading.

@Uberlager:

That’s funny, I thought the colors were:

USSR - brown
UK - brown
Italy - brown
Japan - orangey-brown
USA - green
China - green

:-D

Haha. Too true. I think some painting is in order for most players who care about board readability!

@bbrett3:

A lot of people argue over this so i figure its about time to get some hard data on the issue

The UK rarely makes a breakthrough in the Pacific, but it is suicide to cede India and allow Japan to gorge itself on the soft underbelly of the Middle East and the USSR. An IC in India early in the game will at least make the Japanese devote time and money to make sure the British don’t cross the line. It is a necessary delay manoeuvre to stall Japan, and to give them an additional thing to think about. This is important early in the game because it should take the US a few turns to get their footing.

All that being said, it is possible that the UK, aided with smart purchases and good die rolling, could take Kwangtung, and Indo China, and possibly push into China. I’ve never seen it, but it theoretically is possible.

@tin_snips:

^^ agreed. the BB should be the biggest ship by far

Did you have all your BB? I was shorted one! Atleast it was the Soviets…i dont see them building them but still…

I voted Italy because I’ve been dreaming of this addition since i starting playing 10 years ago. If handled correctly, and with aid of some good dice rolling, they can swing the game.

Great Review TG!

It’s awesome to know someone got as excited about the unboxing ritual. I third the motion that the german transports are lame, but hey, kudos for trying to make unique units (sans the italian navy and air force).

All i all, I don’t think i can ever really get excited about a game of Classic now that theres so much more to be had in AA50.

Lastly, great Spandau reference.

@tin_snips:

yeah, italy was introduced quite well. they’re small, which they were, but have the possibility to expand and become much larger. i think they’re an interesting nation to play

Yea, for something as difficult as this, they were introduced quite well. I think they can turn a whole game around, depending on whos who.

First played in 1999, while i was in high school. I like that someone mentioned risk, because that’s what I had heard about AA. “Oh, you like risk? Well, see theres a better game….”

I liked AA so much that i made roundels and tons of house rules to mix Risk and AA.

@tin_snips:

i’ve only been playing AA50 since i got it. i enjoy it too much to be going back to revised or original

i’ve played 3 times in the past month, and hopefully again next week. it’s not too hard organising a game during the christmas break  :-)

That is awesome. I have my copy, but i haven’t been able to play with anyone yet. I’d love to play every week if possible, whether it be Classic or AA:50