@Uber:

But I would suggest that planing on conquering Germany on the second turn is very ambitious of you.

Do you mean Russia? I admit it is pretty difficult to have German hoardes in Russia by the end of G2. It is however, a little more feasible to be in Russia by G3. (using the IC on Karelia as a place to quickly put down 3 tanks) The more time Germany gives Russia to live, the more time for the Allies to rush help to Russia. If Russia is still alive by G5, Germany should just paint a big red target on itself and wait to be ground into a fine, gray powder.

About UK’s help, all they can do is land planes in Russia, and the RAF was probably destroyed in Karelia (thus the entire debate) If they weren’t in Karelia, then the German invasion will be stronger when it makes the right hand turn into Moscow.

oh, ok, my dyslexia kicked in and I missed the E on

aae

sorry.

It seems we agree yet again. Even if the English player deposits some fighters in Karelia, Germany still should make a major effort to capture Karelia, not only becuase it’s next to russia, but also because should you survive the counter attack the ability to place 3 tanks there per turn greatly simplifies things.

However, it is also worth it for the British player to leave the fighters in Karelia becuase they will do massive damage, and they’re not doing anything sitting around in UK, besides that, they can still fly sortees into the north sea and all, just remember to land them in Karelia instead of England. If you are a little squimish about sacraficing your fighters, think of it like this: the 12 IPC fighter will probably wind up killing (an average of 3 times I tried this on the computer version, playing myself) 2 infantry and 2 tanks. (16 IPC’s), so it’s sort of a good trade on your part.

The only point I disagree on you with is when you said that as long as Russia is out on T4-5 it’s “all good”. I believe that the sooner Russia falls, preferably by G2-3, 4 is pushing it, but after G5, the allies (unless you’re playing kids who ride the short bus) will have gotten their act togather and will severely kick your ass. I also, if at all possible, prefer Russia to fall to germany, and let Japan get Asia, Oceana, Australia, and Africa.

you forgot to include japan in the turn order

What you said about England being poorly defended is true, but Germany usually lacks transports to actually invade England. But, with the fighters in Karelia, any German attack is severly blunted, if not annhilated. This is because not only does the fighter hit 2 out of 3 times, but it has a lot of infantry cannon fodder to protect it. It may not halt a german offensive, but it will gash it’s wrists and let it bleed for a good long time, making Karelia really vulnerable to a Russian counter attack.

I’m not denying that Japan can pour troops into Asia, infact, that’s what they should do according to my, and many other strategies (what other use is there for Japanese ground units anyway?)

that seems a little complicated though. Besides, getting a fair moderater might prove to be a challange.

What you said about Great Britian not being so great without a navy is entirely true. But don’t forget the same also applies to Japan without a navy to protect it, or at least transports to ferry units about, Japan might as well just roll over and die. It applies even more though, to America. If Germany and Japan can prevent America from building a navy, then the Allies should just give up and save the 5-6 turns it will take before the axis win. Russia, and to a lesser extent, Germany are the only nations that don’t really need a navy to be secure. Though a German navy is a nice thing to have, to block off the Baltic and/or North Seas, preventing any sort of serious landing in Europe. Maybe I should include this into my strategy,…

However, I disagree about what you said Germany should turn it’s attention to in a post-Russia game. Instead of Africa, I would worry more about as I said before, putting enough naval units into the Baltic and if possible, the North Sea. Then, once Great Britian can’t do a damn thing, then you go for Africa, and laugh at your opponent because he is powerless to stop you.

I used to use that strategy quite some time, but the perhaps the main weakness is when I attack Karelia on G2 or later, my friends playing as England have put several fighters and infantry there, basically screwing over any such attack.

Though I won’t doubt that Africa too can be the key to axis victory. I’ve won a lot of games as germany by holding off the allies in Europe, but taking all of Africa. It’s I think 12 IPC’s, which translates into 4 infantry, or a fighter, or 2 tanks, all of which are extra helpful later on, once the allies get their acts togather.

When I’m either Germany or Japan, I almost always use this vague strategy. The key is to rush very quickly to annhilate russia, because without russia, the allies are screwed beyond help.

As germany, 1st turn I buy nothing but tanks. With my opening moves I move everything I have to attack karalia, then transport the tank from africa to the causcus, and bring along a bb to bombard. For my non combat, I bunch up my infantry in Algeria, and land all my planes in germany, placing all my tanks there too.

Japan 1st turn- I buy an IC and a sub. I use my forces on mainland asia to rush China, transport a tank (bring along a bb) to Soviet far east, and basically concentrate on the mainland.

Germany 2nd turn- I buy infantry, because the UK and US may soon try something in western europe or germany. Then, if I have enough tanks and planes, I invade russia, usually I do unless I roll crappily.

Once russia’s gone, japan should focus on america, and germany should just try and stay alive until america is incapaticated. As I said, it was vague, but it is effective.