Axis & Allies - the board game

[Vince278]

I agree, attacking Karelia is almost mandatory. But if the British station their fighters there as I mentioned above and the Russians crank out infantry then it should always hold. Building all tanks on Germany's first turn will be a big help.

[CapTVK]

Originally posted by FlameFlash
Any idea where to find this java version?

And what's this about nation-specific rules? The only nation specific rules I ever remember were for Japan so that airplanes could kamikaze.

Here it is:

TripleA is an open source clone of the popular axis and allies boardgame.

The game supports network play, alternative rule sets, and is easy to customize.

http://triplea.sourceforge.net/

[Fake Boris]

Originally posted by Vince278
I agree, attacking Karelia is almost mandatory. But if the British station their fighters there as I mentioned above and the Russians crank out infantry then it should always hold. Building all tanks on Germany's first turn will be a big help.

Usually, I only attack Karelia if Japan did well against Russia on turn 1. (i.e, holding Manchuria or something like this).

[solo]

Originally posted by Oncle Boris


Really? don't you think the Axis would have a statistical advantage from that point? A Japan IC in India - especially that early - means Africa falls, doesn't it?

Oh and yes, the India IC means a much more interesting game.

Maybe a slight edge for the Axis, but much depends on how the early turns have gone elsewhere on the map. Africa may be lost momentarily, but will be regained soon enough by the U.K. & the U.S. from the Atlantic side.

In games where the U.K. does not build factories on the first turn, Africa can be easily taken by Germany, so it falls anyways. They can also threaten India early.

Also, the Japanese can go after India even if the U.K. do not build a factory there. For sure, they lose the quick advantage of an immediate and free factory, but they can build their own. Then from India they pose a threat to Africa and can also be in a position to support Germany earlier.

Dissident,

In answer to your poll, I almost always take out the U.K. fleet on the first German turn, unless the Russians have made a mistake, by not building 8 infantry and defending Karelia to the hilt.

I like to be aggressive with the Germans, too, but going all out against a properly defended Karelia early tends to be a do or die affair. If the attack is not blessed with better than average luck, Germany just speeds up its own demise. If the attack succeeds, then Russia should fall soon and the Russian will congratulate the German on his great luck during the battle for Karelia, and give this as the reason for losing the game. To me, it seems a bit of a hollow victory. I've had many games where the Germans were able to build up enough for an attack with better odds. When Japan is played well, the Germans can often make a successful move into Russia a bit later on. For me, winning this way is more satisfactory. However, if Japan is not being played well, trying to cripple Russia early is probably Germany's best (and probably only) chance for winning the game.

Vince,

Bombers can not take territories. I think it's better for the U.K. & U.S. to build infantry and a fleet, first. Once you have a very secure foothold somewhere in Europe, then some bombers can be used to take away Germany's cash.

[Panzeh]

The most effective unit as far as taking and holding ground is infantry. They are the cheapest unit in the game and are well worth money. Infantry is for protecting vital attack pieces and for absorbing hits, along with defense.

A British Indian factory cranking out constant tanks is probably one of the better ways to get Britain into play quickly. It also has an added benefit of hurting the Japanese quite a bit.

The longer Russia survives intact, the lower the chance of an Axis win. If British tanks are forcing the Japanese into wasting time in Indochina, then this is removing troops from Russia, giving them vital breathing room and eventually a quicker German defeat.

[Vince278]

Originally posted by solo
Vince,

Bombers can not take territories.

Don't have to. Germany becomes a pushover in short order after denying it cash. The Russians can crush it with their massed defensive Karelia infantry and a few tanks.

This strategy is team oriented. The British won't be in a position to take out Germany themselves but they can make it possible for others. If your players play "every man for themselves" they will lose everytime against team players. Both styles require entirely different sets of strategies.

[Dis]

I'm convinced the Axis are hopeless

I know I've won with them before, but I don't know how.

I played a couple of games (computer Iron Blitz version). against myself. I played all players. I played each nation as I would if I wanted to win. I used the best strategy for each. So the competition should be fair. I was using the Iron Blitz version of A & A, but I didn't use any of the iron blitz units.

Both games I had it so Russia cannot attack the first round. The second game I gave the Axis advantage (which gives germany jet fighters and japan super subs). An interesting note is the second game I played scorched earth. That led to some interesting consequences. I didn't always use scorched earth. But I did in Germany and Italy . Even though germany had some cash at one point, and was able to buy units, they couldn't place them (I had taken over germany and southern europe at various points with UK and U.S. and burned their factories to the ground). It's hard to say how scorched earth affects the strategy. With Japan I kept the factory in Russia as I had enough troops to defend it.

The first game was a blowout, not even close. Germany got their ass whooped.

The second game was much closer. This time I chose a defensive approach with germany. Although I still did strike out at african territories and 1 russian territory (in this case Stalingrad area- caucuasus or whatever its called- Karelia was to heavily defended). But I bought all infantry instead of all tanks. They lasted longer, but eventually faltered. In the second game I was able to capture Russia with Japan. But germany was toast. I could not get them back. In the second game I didn't devote any resources to China and India. I went straight for Moscow. And only because of good die rolls was I able to take it. (after 2 prior attempts against superior odds).

I just can't see how the axis can win. Even with the axis advantage rules and russia can't attack first rule.

The cool thing about Iron Blitz is you can alter the units for each nation individually. I haven't tried that. I'm thinking about giving germany tanks a attack of 4 and defense of 3. And perhaps I'll give japanese fighters an attack of 4.

[solo]

Originally posted by Vince278

1. Build nothing but bombers. Two a turn if you can. Continually strat bomb Germany. Invite the Americans to send bombers to join in the fun. Watch Germany starve itself.

It sounded like just bombers for the Allies from your post. Even if you limit it to U.K. bombers, I think I would like to try the Axis against your opening strategy.

[Dis]

anyone have any suggestions for my axis strategy? I can't seem to win with them even with axis advantage rules and russia can't attack first rules.

Which suggests to me when the allies employ the tank and transport strategy (which is the only one I use anymore), the axis don't stand a chance.

the tanks and transport strategy is pretty easy.U.S. and U.K. build tanks and transports and attack germany . Russia builds nothing but infantry.

[Vince278]

I always have trouble playing Germany well but I rule with Japan. Put an IC on the mainland on turn 1 and 2 then crank out the tanks. Land with everything you have on the mainland ignoring the US, then hunt down the US fleet with yours.

[Barinthus]

Originally posted by Vince278


I have many fond memories of the three games. Don't remember a Roman one.

Ah I found it... it's called Conquest of the Empire. Some information here http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/cote.html

[Vince278]

Thanks!

[solo]

Originally posted by Dissident
anyone have any suggestions for my axis strategy? I can't seem to win with them even with axis advantage rules and russia can't attack first rules.

I agree. When the Allies focus entirely on wiping out Germany, it's tough to win as the Axis.

However, I think most Axis players assume success depends on capturing Russia; but by the time this is possible, Germany is usually dead or nearly so. So if the U.K. & U.S. focus entirely on Germany, it is often possible for the Axis to get up to 84 IPC without taking Russia. Germany can often hold onto its European territories long enough for this to occur, if it works with Japan towards this 84 IPC goal.

84 IPC can be attained by taking all of the weak U.K. and U.S. territiories, as well as those in Asia around the Russian capital. Targetting weak U.K. and U.S. territories early also reduces their income, which delays their ability to cripple Germany.

Germany can start by building a transport and 8 infantry and by taking out the British fleet. Afterwards, Africa and even India can be captured quickly to build up IPC's which can be spent on infantry at home to build up a solid defense.

Meanwhile, Japan starts by taking out the U.S. fleet and China, and builds a lot of infantry and enough of a fleet to get them wherever needed quickly. Japan continues by taking the easiest targets as it expands in all directions. Australia & New Zealand should be taken early.

Japan can pester the U.S. by taking easy targets like Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, Panama and Brazil. It only takes a small early presence near Western U.S, to force the U.S. to defend there, diverting some of their resources from the attack on Germany. An imposing Japanese fleet can reach the Atlantic via the Panama quickly and then go after the American and U.K. fleet being used to attack Germany. Brazil can often be used to build a factory to assist this effort.

Doing these things does not mean that Japan ignores Russia. In fact, the extra income generated from remote U.K. & U.S. territories allows quick and un-interrupted progress into Russian territories, too. When the Allies are left with fewer resources and an additional way losing the game, the odds of Germany's survival can change dramatically for the good.

Many will probably dismiss this strategy without trying it. It is by no means a guarantee of success, and I probably lose more then half the games I try it with, but I know it has also won many games for me against players who believe the Axis are doomed from the start. One caveat is that I do use the "no Russian attacks on the first turn" rule, which is often enough help to give the Axis a fair chance at winning.

(Sorry, mixing up the canals. I edited to change Suez to Panama, which does make a difference!)

[Dis]

your post does give me an idea though. My strategy focussed too much on taking the capitol of russia against all odds (the odss will nearly always be against you if russia places all their infantry there)

I disagree about taking Australia. Maybe Alaska though (this works to divert forces that would be heading towards germany- the U.S. would be foolish to leave the western u.s open.)

I still say Japan should take over Asia. But stop at the capitol of Russia. But do take over the other russian territories south and east of the capitol.

I realize I wasn't focussing enough on the IPC victory.

In the future I think I'll devote more to taking over India and China. And then streaming into Africa before I assault the capitol of Russia. Taking over capitols is such hard work.

the one caveat of this strategy is Russia will eventually accumulate a lot of infantry in their capitol and will strike back at Japanese held territories once they realize the safety of their capitol is not at stake.

[solo]

Australia & NZ are taken for two reasons, and this can be done while in the process of collecting Japanese infantry from all of those Pacific islands (it is worthwhile rounding them up):

1) This shifts 3 IPC's into the Axis column that the Allies are never expected to regain.

2) Both are probably needed to reach the 84 IPC total.

Japan is still able to exert pressure on the Russian capital. Once most of the outlying U.K. and U.S. territories have been taken, 3 factories can be built in Asia and a steady stream of tanks from them, plus 8 or so infantry a turn from Japan itself can exert a lot of pressure there.

However, there are other ways to go, even a chance to go on the offensive along with Germany in the Atlantic. A lot of mobility & flexibility is built into this strategy, which tries to make the most out of the best navy provided at the start, rather than have it just sit around.