A: They both still suck.
In an attempt to generate some new content, we're gonna reuse some old content. Recently we had another go-round on the old Axis & Allies Global battlefield, so it's time for a few quick ruminations on what went down.
1) In an astoundingly bad play by Havoc Jack commanding UK Europe, the UK was left nearly undefended and overran by an amphibious Nazi invasion. The next turn Germany invaded Russia. After feinting towards Leningrad and handily defeating a Red Army counterattack, the Wehrmacht swung south into the richer lands of the Ukraine, headed towards Stalingrad.
2) After negotiating a five-turn ceasefire with Russia, Japan launched an all-out assault on the US on the first turn. After successfully taking both Hawaii and the Philippines, as well as a daring sweep into Alaska, the Japanese offensive bogged down while battling UK Pacific. This was entirely due to a foolish decision on my part to allow UK Pacific to collect the African IPCs of UK Europe, although I was swayed by a Churchill quote, that wily old bastard.
3) While the American counterattack was defeated, the Axis were not able to build up quickly enough to overcome the American income, and thanks to a slightly problematic purchase for Japan that didn't protect the home island enough the US was able to take Japan for a split. (After about the second round we had to break for the day and picked it up on a second day at which we engaged the UK Pacific collecting African IPC rule.)
4) Italy still sucks. During the first round, the Italian fleet had as good a chance as it would ever have to overcome the British fleet, and failed to roll a four in three consecutive rounds. The remaining fleet and air force were unable to drive the British remnants out, and later a newly built Italian fleet failed miserably at defending itself, as well as the Italian army being hammered by an extremely lucky British defense. Given the final outcome of the game, I can't say that it was Italy's fault this time, but had they done better it might have drawn more US interest and/or allowed them to put auxiliary pressure on Russia.
Showing posts with label Zerg_Rush. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zerg_Rush. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Replays and Replayability
(No, this isn't going to be a what-if featuring Jane Austen playing D&D. -ed) (Hey, that's not a bad idea! -B) (No! -ed) (C'mon! -B) (Dammit, I said no! -ed)
Warning: This post will contain links to game wikis. If you are worried about spoilers, I suggest not following those links through.
So yeah, this issue's been bugging me for a while, and if I can't get a suitable discussion out of it, I can at least get some content in here. First of all, what makes a game re-playable? Using some of our standard examples, in Kingdom of Loathing, once you beat the final boss, you are given the option to ascend and start at level 1, keeping one or more skills from your previous run, and doing the new run in a variety of different ways. In Fallout: New Vegas, and the other Fallout games to varying extents, you can play through using different skills and/or make different choices, leading to other endings. Another option used in New Vegas is that of achievements, giving you some sort of boost to your fragile ego by giving you awards for things that you either might normally not do, or for doing a lot of the things you would usually do. If you have a couple spare hours, you might ask Zerg_Rush how he got the title "The Insane" for one of his WoW characters. I'm sure you've run across these tactics to squeeze more playtime from other games, I'm just using the examples I've run most recently. Some, of course, are more effective than others.
The more philosophical question is what actually causes one to replay a game? Havoc Jack just spent at least one post talking about how he's restarted Diablo II, but I can't normally seem to muster up that much desire to replay a lot of games, especially after I just finished it, whereas I've seen him finish a Starcraft I campaign and immediately start replaying the same campaign. Every once in a while, I will go back into the vaults and work up some game I haven't played in a while, but for the most part I don't replay games that much. Starcraft II was pretty awesome, but after playing it once I haven't really gone back to it at all, except for running a few missions trying to get achievements. I haven't actually finished Fallout: New Vegas yet, but I don't really plan on playing through again once all the DLC comes out and I actually do finish the game. I ran though Fallout 3 twice, although that was primarily because I got DLC for that and decided it would be simpler to play through again. On the other hand I play KoL all the time, and am constantly ascending. Perhaps it's just that easier accessibility to a wiki and easier character optimization makes me want to play it more, although according to Steam I have played New Vegas for 62 hours, so I guess that's a decent amount of time spent on it. And of course, I did end up reading a lot of the wiki, and sometimes I find that reduces my desire to actually play the game.
I'm not sure why this single-play tendency only applies to video games, though. I've played any number of board games any number of times, I've watched many movies as much as I could stand, and nearly all the books on my bookshelf have been read dozens of times.
Insofar as no one else can answer the question for me, perhaps if anyone actually reads this blog instead of it being a vanity project for us they can attempt to answer the question for themselves.
Warning: This post will contain links to game wikis. If you are worried about spoilers, I suggest not following those links through.
So yeah, this issue's been bugging me for a while, and if I can't get a suitable discussion out of it, I can at least get some content in here. First of all, what makes a game re-playable? Using some of our standard examples, in Kingdom of Loathing, once you beat the final boss, you are given the option to ascend and start at level 1, keeping one or more skills from your previous run, and doing the new run in a variety of different ways. In Fallout: New Vegas, and the other Fallout games to varying extents, you can play through using different skills and/or make different choices, leading to other endings. Another option used in New Vegas is that of achievements, giving you some sort of boost to your fragile ego by giving you awards for things that you either might normally not do, or for doing a lot of the things you would usually do. If you have a couple spare hours, you might ask Zerg_Rush how he got the title "The Insane" for one of his WoW characters. I'm sure you've run across these tactics to squeeze more playtime from other games, I'm just using the examples I've run most recently. Some, of course, are more effective than others.
The more philosophical question is what actually causes one to replay a game? Havoc Jack just spent at least one post talking about how he's restarted Diablo II, but I can't normally seem to muster up that much desire to replay a lot of games, especially after I just finished it, whereas I've seen him finish a Starcraft I campaign and immediately start replaying the same campaign. Every once in a while, I will go back into the vaults and work up some game I haven't played in a while, but for the most part I don't replay games that much. Starcraft II was pretty awesome, but after playing it once I haven't really gone back to it at all, except for running a few missions trying to get achievements. I haven't actually finished Fallout: New Vegas yet, but I don't really plan on playing through again once all the DLC comes out and I actually do finish the game. I ran though Fallout 3 twice, although that was primarily because I got DLC for that and decided it would be simpler to play through again. On the other hand I play KoL all the time, and am constantly ascending. Perhaps it's just that easier accessibility to a wiki and easier character optimization makes me want to play it more, although according to Steam I have played New Vegas for 62 hours, so I guess that's a decent amount of time spent on it. And of course, I did end up reading a lot of the wiki, and sometimes I find that reduces my desire to actually play the game.
I'm not sure why this single-play tendency only applies to video games, though. I've played any number of board games any number of times, I've watched many movies as much as I could stand, and nearly all the books on my bookshelf have been read dozens of times.
Insofar as no one else can answer the question for me, perhaps if anyone actually reads this blog instead of it being a vanity project for us they can attempt to answer the question for themselves.
Friday, May 20, 2011
L' Axis & Allies (Turn 5 Continued)
Coming back to the game after the night, we return to Japan's turn. If you're just arriving, click back through the blog until you get to a post not instructing you to click back through the blog.
The main news of the day is the reentry of Zerg_Rush on the allied side.
Japan
Japan has a Korean invasion to take care of, and various fleets. And plenty of ground forces in china to pick off.
Japan sends it's land units to hit the remaining Chinese forces. This leaves Japan (after a successful battle) with two tanks on the border with Russia, opening up some traditional Russia ganking for next turn. Doesn't work nearly as well this game since Siberia just doesn't have the IPCs it used to. Even so, the allies on the mainland are merely treading water until Japan finishes them off. Japan still has a stream of tanks being produced on the mainland, while Britain East can manage three infantry every two turns.
In the sea, the Japanese fleet by the Phillipines swings down and hits the ANZAC submarines. This will force the American fleet down to Australian waters or the allies will sacrifice the ANZAC transports.
The Japanese fleet retakes the sea of Japan and Korea with very few casualties. If the game lasts another turn things will happen, interesting things in this game.
Britain (West)
In Africa, the Sudanese army attacks Cairo. The Italians mount a successful defense, surviving with only one fighter.
Britain launched simultaneous sea assaults on Normandy, Denmark and Holland. The assaults are successful.
Britain (East)
Purchases a transport. Moves it's ground units into the Shen state.
ANZAC
ANZAC does a fighters sweep on the Japanese fleet; loses four fighters, kills a destroyer and a submarine.
Italy
Italy gets one hit, the American infantry hit twice. The Axis is unable to retake the Italian capital in anything like a reasonable time. Next turn America can upgrade the factory and build three tanks. The turn after that it's ten tanks, and continuously until Germany is utterly boned as well.
At this point, with the axis powers unable to shut off a stream of American tanks in Europe, the Axis concedes.
Japan is in a very good position; it's able to keep America at a standstill while finishing off it's other enemies. It's in position to take Hawaii, or land a tank in Alaska, or so forth. Britain built a transport outside India, but Japan would be able to wipe out any British units they could put on it. Japan has a couple tanks which can start ganking Russian back country. It can ignore the Russian troops retaking China for a turn or two; Russia isn't getting any IPCs from it and chinese infantry aren't much of a threat.
ANZAC still gets it's 15 IPCs a turn, but ANZAC has been spectacularly unsuccessful at turning those IPCs into a meaningful contribution to the war effort. The subs were unsuccessful, the transports were going to sink easy, and then it'd still be two turns before they could do anything. again.
Russia remains a tough nut to crack. Failing a Japanese ganking of Siberia, it'll take about eight turns for Germany to crack Moscow, which is entirely too long.
The British invasion of Holland, Denmark and Norway would refocus some German resources on the atlantic wall, but ultimately wouldn't be enough without the Yanks taking out Italy. The Africa campaign was stalling, which is about where they wanted it to be.
In the end, the gamestate devolved into several hold the line operations. Russia attempts to hold the line until Germany gets hit at Normandy. Germany attempts to hold the line at Normandy until it can take out Russia. Britain holds the line in Africa until the Americans can launch the operation Torch. Japan was trying to hold the line until it could gank the rest of the pacific countries. It looked like it the Axis were in a winning position, seeing as the Japanese ganking was the most successful on the board, as well as one of the better line holdings.
The axis was winning until the US got lucky with two attacking infantry killing two defending infantry. "I approve of dramatic reversals, but when a single lucky roll wins you the game from a generally losing position it makes for a bad day."
The main news of the day is the reentry of Zerg_Rush on the allied side.
Japan
Japan has a Korean invasion to take care of, and various fleets. And plenty of ground forces in china to pick off.
Japan sends it's land units to hit the remaining Chinese forces. This leaves Japan (after a successful battle) with two tanks on the border with Russia, opening up some traditional Russia ganking for next turn. Doesn't work nearly as well this game since Siberia just doesn't have the IPCs it used to. Even so, the allies on the mainland are merely treading water until Japan finishes them off. Japan still has a stream of tanks being produced on the mainland, while Britain East can manage three infantry every two turns.
In the sea, the Japanese fleet by the Phillipines swings down and hits the ANZAC submarines. This will force the American fleet down to Australian waters or the allies will sacrifice the ANZAC transports.
The Japanese fleet retakes the sea of Japan and Korea with very few casualties. If the game lasts another turn things will happen, interesting things in this game.
Britain (West)
In Africa, the Sudanese army attacks Cairo. The Italians mount a successful defense, surviving with only one fighter.
Britain launched simultaneous sea assaults on Normandy, Denmark and Holland. The assaults are successful.
Britain (East)
Purchases a transport. Moves it's ground units into the Shen state.
ANZAC
ANZAC does a fighters sweep on the Japanese fleet; loses four fighters, kills a destroyer and a submarine.
Italy
Italy gets one hit, the American infantry hit twice. The Axis is unable to retake the Italian capital in anything like a reasonable time. Next turn America can upgrade the factory and build three tanks. The turn after that it's ten tanks, and continuously until Germany is utterly boned as well.
At this point, with the axis powers unable to shut off a stream of American tanks in Europe, the Axis concedes.
Japan is in a very good position; it's able to keep America at a standstill while finishing off it's other enemies. It's in position to take Hawaii, or land a tank in Alaska, or so forth. Britain built a transport outside India, but Japan would be able to wipe out any British units they could put on it. Japan has a couple tanks which can start ganking Russian back country. It can ignore the Russian troops retaking China for a turn or two; Russia isn't getting any IPCs from it and chinese infantry aren't much of a threat.
ANZAC still gets it's 15 IPCs a turn, but ANZAC has been spectacularly unsuccessful at turning those IPCs into a meaningful contribution to the war effort. The subs were unsuccessful, the transports were going to sink easy, and then it'd still be two turns before they could do anything. again.
Russia remains a tough nut to crack. Failing a Japanese ganking of Siberia, it'll take about eight turns for Germany to crack Moscow, which is entirely too long.
The British invasion of Holland, Denmark and Norway would refocus some German resources on the atlantic wall, but ultimately wouldn't be enough without the Yanks taking out Italy. The Africa campaign was stalling, which is about where they wanted it to be.
In the end, the gamestate devolved into several hold the line operations. Russia attempts to hold the line until Germany gets hit at Normandy. Germany attempts to hold the line at Normandy until it can take out Russia. Britain holds the line in Africa until the Americans can launch the operation Torch. Japan was trying to hold the line until it could gank the rest of the pacific countries. It looked like it the Axis were in a winning position, seeing as the Japanese ganking was the most successful on the board, as well as one of the better line holdings.
The axis was winning until the US got lucky with two attacking infantry killing two defending infantry. "I approve of dramatic reversals, but when a single lucky roll wins you the game from a generally losing position it makes for a bad day."
L'B'n Axis & Allies (Turn 5)
Our All day Axis and Allies Extravaganza continues. If you're just getting here, I'd suggest you start from the beginning. Like that part in the Wizard of Oz, where they have to go to the exact center of the spiral and follow it all the way out. I mean, I can see the road ten feet to my left. Maybe if I took a little shortcut I'll be free of singing munchkins that much sooner. But no. Gotta skip on through the whole spiral. Even when I was freaking five that made no sense to me. I tell ya.
...
Oh, right, Axis and Allies. On to turn 5
Germany
Germany's concerned with the giant stack of Russian infantry marching east through the Ukraine. In a turn or two, they might hit the German heartland of Poland and start mucking up the place. Russia gets a 6 IPC bonus for each German territory they control, which means that Germany can't do the same defense in depth thing the Russians master. Barbarossa proposes his strategy of buying stacks of infantry to deal with this. Seeing as it's his exact same strategy for everything, I'm not surprised. I talk him into some tanks. I like tanks.
Speaking of Tanks, Germany's northern army is dancing around, taking out single Russian soldiers, trying to get into a position to either gank Russia's Siberian IPCs or make a decisive assault on Muscovy.
Russia
Russia lost it's fighter in a fighter sweep, it buys another along with it's traditional stack of infantry. It's southern Army proceeds into Western Poland, sending a squad to take back Southern Ukraine.
In China, Russia splits it's infantry, attempting to liberate as much Chinese territory as it can.
Japan
Japan is in an interesting spot. Britain has a number of units it can't really replace. China has a number of infantry it can't really replace. Russia is bringing in infantry it can't really replace. Japan is largely constrained by only being able to manufacture three tanks a turn. I expect I'll take them all out eventually, but in the meantime the who and when is interesting.
This just in, Game postponed until the morrow.
...
Oh, right, Axis and Allies. On to turn 5
Germany
Germany's concerned with the giant stack of Russian infantry marching east through the Ukraine. In a turn or two, they might hit the German heartland of Poland and start mucking up the place. Russia gets a 6 IPC bonus for each German territory they control, which means that Germany can't do the same defense in depth thing the Russians master. Barbarossa proposes his strategy of buying stacks of infantry to deal with this. Seeing as it's his exact same strategy for everything, I'm not surprised. I talk him into some tanks. I like tanks.
Speaking of Tanks, Germany's northern army is dancing around, taking out single Russian soldiers, trying to get into a position to either gank Russia's Siberian IPCs or make a decisive assault on Muscovy.
Russia
Russia lost it's fighter in a fighter sweep, it buys another along with it's traditional stack of infantry. It's southern Army proceeds into Western Poland, sending a squad to take back Southern Ukraine.
In China, Russia splits it's infantry, attempting to liberate as much Chinese territory as it can.
Japan
Japan is in an interesting spot. Britain has a number of units it can't really replace. China has a number of infantry it can't really replace. Russia is bringing in infantry it can't really replace. Japan is largely constrained by only being able to manufacture three tanks a turn. I expect I'll take them all out eventually, but in the meantime the who and when is interesting.
This just in, Game postponed until the morrow.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Li''Bl''''n' Axis & Allies (Turn 4)
Behold! Turn 4 is upon us. This is in my continuing series of blowing up the world in Axis and Allies. Start from the beginning. Or not; I'm not the boss of you.
Germany (insert allies comments) SUCKS!!
Er... yeah. Apparently Napoleon has cracked the Enigma code.
Germany purchases yet more vast stacks of Infantry. It's task this turn is to take as much Russian territory as it can. This is complicated by the Russian vast stacks of infantry. It's launching simultaneous assaults on Karelia, Archangel, Eastern Poland, the Ukraine and blitzing through Vyborg. Oh, and the British pulled their tank out of Norway for use in Normandy, so they're sending someone to pick that up again. The Russians are going to lose infantry, and land, but they'll have more time, and they've got more infantry to back things up.
After much contemplation, the Luftwaffe doesn't attack the remnants of the combined French and Brit fleet in the Mediterranean. Also, the rules regarding convoys are discussed. If we're lucky we'll get an angry blog post about it by Barbarossa sometime soon.
The news from front is good; Russia failed to kill a single unit.
Russia
Russia bypasses the southern German army entirely, marches into Ukraine. Possibly this allows Germany to march right past into Stalingrad. On the other hand, it threatens a Russian stab into the German heartland (Poland). On the Eastern side, the first Russian soldiers have rounded Mongolia and struck Japanese soldiers in Kansu. Russia places it's hordes on Moscow.
Japan
Japan apparently miscalculated; since America controls the Caroline Islands the Japanese fleet can't get all the way to the sea of Japan to fight the dregs of the last American fleet. This gives Japan pause. It makes it's traditional fleet purchase, but still needs to kill the Yanks, now. On the mainland, it doesn't quite have enough forces to attack Calcutta yet, and the Chinese have taken residence in parts of China originally controlled by Japan. They weren't even invited.
Japan postpones it's finishing off of Britain (East), pulls it's units and fleet back, where the sun comes up like thunder inter China cross the bay. It also sends land units in to take those british tanks out of Yunnan and the Burma road. It launches a pair of fighters off of it's caroline islands carrier and it's four bombers, which go and take out the aforementioned American fleet. Two fighters are lost, compared to a tilted battleship, a carrier and a fighter. The Chinese are put down rather permanently at the loss of one infantry, and a critical tank was lost in Yunnan. Russia is sending in a fresh supply of infantry, so the fight for China is by no means over, but I remain optimistic.
Japan places three more tanks on French Indochina, three destroyers and a battleship in the Sea of Japan, and collects at 66.
Britain (East)
Britain east moves all it's units up to Burma. It places it's one infantry into Calcutta. Seven IPCs to spend next turn.
Britain (West)
Blitzes through French Equatorial Africa, hits the Italian in the Sudan. In Europe they attempted to invade Normandy again, but the combine Italio-Hunnic force pushed them off at great losses. Still holding strong.
There's going to be another battle for Cairo soon; it's anyone's guess as to who is going to win it. Britain has three tanks, two infantry and an artillery piece. Italy has two mechanized infantry, two tanks and two fighters.
ANZAC
ANZAC purchases two transports. Some noncombat movements happen, the submarine fleet is hanging out by their naval base. Notably, it's only three spaces from the Phillipines.
Italy
Much debate is going on over Italy's purchasing. I'm arguing strongly for an aggressive Africa campaign; three tanks. Barbarossa is arguing strongly for putting more infantry on Normandy (it's been working pretty well so far). Additionally, there's an American transport with two infantry that's threatening to land somewhere in Italy or Southern France. We settle on a tank and two mechanized infantry in Cairo, three infantry (and a factory repair; the Americans had been industrial bombing) in Normandy, and leaving only just enough in Italy to fend off invasion.
Italy's assault on Yugoslavia results in three immediate hits and no casualties. Guess switching British opponents into French ones worked.
Italy takes Persia from the British as well. In two turns that might mean something.
U.S.A
America buys another fleet, this one with a stack of cruisers and of destroyers. Presumably eventually it'll settle on a mix it likes. It sends it's fleet in to invade Korea. After an extensive battle wherein six destroyers over four rounds hit a combined total of once, the invasion succeds.
In a last ditch effort, their eastern fleet attacks two infantry with two infantry, in Rome.
Two hits. No losses. Holy crap! Rome has fallen!
China
Has one infantry, collects three IPCs. Spends it's fifteen, places it's five in the extreme backwaters of China.
France
France is down to exactly one province. It still has a fleet, and a couple men in Africa. Oh, and that one sucker who got evacuated from Dunkirk. Who's been sipping wine in a London cafe all war long. Hasn't even been a blitz. The height of French military achievement.
At the end of Turn 4, Napoleon is suggesting that maybe the Allies are finished. Granted that Britain (East), China and ANZAC don't have much force, even combined, and Granted that the U.S.A is far away from invading Japan, there's some doubt that they can go on. On the other hand, that surprise invasion of Rome might change things.
Germany (insert allies comments) SUCKS!!
Er... yeah. Apparently Napoleon has cracked the Enigma code.
Germany purchases yet more vast stacks of Infantry. It's task this turn is to take as much Russian territory as it can. This is complicated by the Russian vast stacks of infantry. It's launching simultaneous assaults on Karelia, Archangel, Eastern Poland, the Ukraine and blitzing through Vyborg. Oh, and the British pulled their tank out of Norway for use in Normandy, so they're sending someone to pick that up again. The Russians are going to lose infantry, and land, but they'll have more time, and they've got more infantry to back things up.
After much contemplation, the Luftwaffe doesn't attack the remnants of the combined French and Brit fleet in the Mediterranean. Also, the rules regarding convoys are discussed. If we're lucky we'll get an angry blog post about it by Barbarossa sometime soon.
The news from front is good; Russia failed to kill a single unit.
Russia
Russia bypasses the southern German army entirely, marches into Ukraine. Possibly this allows Germany to march right past into Stalingrad. On the other hand, it threatens a Russian stab into the German heartland (Poland). On the Eastern side, the first Russian soldiers have rounded Mongolia and struck Japanese soldiers in Kansu. Russia places it's hordes on Moscow.
Japan
Japan apparently miscalculated; since America controls the Caroline Islands the Japanese fleet can't get all the way to the sea of Japan to fight the dregs of the last American fleet. This gives Japan pause. It makes it's traditional fleet purchase, but still needs to kill the Yanks, now. On the mainland, it doesn't quite have enough forces to attack Calcutta yet, and the Chinese have taken residence in parts of China originally controlled by Japan. They weren't even invited.
Japan postpones it's finishing off of Britain (East), pulls it's units and fleet back, where the sun comes up like thunder inter China cross the bay. It also sends land units in to take those british tanks out of Yunnan and the Burma road. It launches a pair of fighters off of it's caroline islands carrier and it's four bombers, which go and take out the aforementioned American fleet. Two fighters are lost, compared to a tilted battleship, a carrier and a fighter. The Chinese are put down rather permanently at the loss of one infantry, and a critical tank was lost in Yunnan. Russia is sending in a fresh supply of infantry, so the fight for China is by no means over, but I remain optimistic.
Japan places three more tanks on French Indochina, three destroyers and a battleship in the Sea of Japan, and collects at 66.
Britain (East)
Britain east moves all it's units up to Burma. It places it's one infantry into Calcutta. Seven IPCs to spend next turn.
Britain (West)
Blitzes through French Equatorial Africa, hits the Italian in the Sudan. In Europe they attempted to invade Normandy again, but the combine Italio-Hunnic force pushed them off at great losses. Still holding strong.
There's going to be another battle for Cairo soon; it's anyone's guess as to who is going to win it. Britain has three tanks, two infantry and an artillery piece. Italy has two mechanized infantry, two tanks and two fighters.
ANZAC
ANZAC purchases two transports. Some noncombat movements happen, the submarine fleet is hanging out by their naval base. Notably, it's only three spaces from the Phillipines.
Italy
Much debate is going on over Italy's purchasing. I'm arguing strongly for an aggressive Africa campaign; three tanks. Barbarossa is arguing strongly for putting more infantry on Normandy (it's been working pretty well so far). Additionally, there's an American transport with two infantry that's threatening to land somewhere in Italy or Southern France. We settle on a tank and two mechanized infantry in Cairo, three infantry (and a factory repair; the Americans had been industrial bombing) in Normandy, and leaving only just enough in Italy to fend off invasion.
Italy's assault on Yugoslavia results in three immediate hits and no casualties. Guess switching British opponents into French ones worked.
Italy takes Persia from the British as well. In two turns that might mean something.
U.S.A
America buys another fleet, this one with a stack of cruisers and of destroyers. Presumably eventually it'll settle on a mix it likes. It sends it's fleet in to invade Korea. After an extensive battle wherein six destroyers over four rounds hit a combined total of once, the invasion succeds.
In a last ditch effort, their eastern fleet attacks two infantry with two infantry, in Rome.
Two hits. No losses. Holy crap! Rome has fallen!
China
Has one infantry, collects three IPCs. Spends it's fifteen, places it's five in the extreme backwaters of China.
France
France is down to exactly one province. It still has a fleet, and a couple men in Africa. Oh, and that one sucker who got evacuated from Dunkirk. Who's been sipping wine in a London cafe all war long. Hasn't even been a blitz. The height of French military achievement.
At the end of Turn 4, Napoleon is suggesting that maybe the Allies are finished. Granted that Britain (East), China and ANZAC don't have much force, even combined, and Granted that the U.S.A is far away from invading Japan, there's some doubt that they can go on. On the other hand, that surprise invasion of Rome might change things.
liveblogg'n Axis And Allies (Turn 2 Continued)
Continuing turn 2, after the break
We take up again with
ANZAC
Anzac purchases nothing. Anzac marches its units into the outback, and some across New Guinea. Anzac collects at full, with all bonuses intact, has 31 IPCs saved up. Enough to buy a new fleet next turn. ANZAC passes.
Italy
Italy invades Greece, six at one and one at three against four at two. Italy invades normandy, fighting off the british invaders. Italy masses in Cairo, attempting to push the british out of N. Africa entirely. After a bloody but not especially bad battle Italy is reduced to just it's tanks and mechanized infantry and airforce. Greece fights poorly, the Italians kill everyone and suffer no losses; really it's not their fault; the Italians invaded during August and nobody in Europe works in August, least of all the Greek army. Besides, their senior command was all over 5o and therefore retired.
Due to it's aggressive campaign of conquest, Italy is up to 26 IPCs from a start of 10. Amazing.
U.S.A
The US spends it's prodigious wealth on building a newer, more modern fleet of victory ships. The U.S. fleet in Pearl harbor takes out a pair of unaccompanied submarines around the Caroline Islands. It lands troops from Brazil into subsaharan Africa, taking French colonial territories.
China
China goes out on a limb here, builds some artillery seeing as the Burma Road is still open. They make a raid on the Nipponese lines, but mostly just build up in Yunnan, attempting to hold the Burma Road open.
France
Bold military action-- in this case defined as anything that isn't surrendering. It's fleet attacks the newly placed Italian destroyers, exchanging one for two. It's infantry in Algeria attack Tunisia, losing one and retreating.
The Second turn is Ended.
We take up again with
ANZAC
Anzac purchases nothing. Anzac marches its units into the outback, and some across New Guinea. Anzac collects at full, with all bonuses intact, has 31 IPCs saved up. Enough to buy a new fleet next turn. ANZAC passes.
Italy
Italy invades Greece, six at one and one at three against four at two. Italy invades normandy, fighting off the british invaders. Italy masses in Cairo, attempting to push the british out of N. Africa entirely. After a bloody but not especially bad battle Italy is reduced to just it's tanks and mechanized infantry and airforce. Greece fights poorly, the Italians kill everyone and suffer no losses; really it's not their fault; the Italians invaded during August and nobody in Europe works in August, least of all the Greek army. Besides, their senior command was all over 5o and therefore retired.
Due to it's aggressive campaign of conquest, Italy is up to 26 IPCs from a start of 10. Amazing.
U.S.A
The US spends it's prodigious wealth on building a newer, more modern fleet of victory ships. The U.S. fleet in Pearl harbor takes out a pair of unaccompanied submarines around the Caroline Islands. It lands troops from Brazil into subsaharan Africa, taking French colonial territories.
China
China goes out on a limb here, builds some artillery seeing as the Burma Road is still open. They make a raid on the Nipponese lines, but mostly just build up in Yunnan, attempting to hold the Burma Road open.
France
Bold military action-- in this case defined as anything that isn't surrendering. It's fleet attacks the newly placed Italian destroyers, exchanging one for two. It's infantry in Algeria attack Tunisia, losing one and retreating.
The Second turn is Ended.
Li'blah'n' Axis and Allies (Turn 3)
We continue, with Germany's turn.
Germany builds masses and masses of men. About 15. Germany is hunkering down for an extended siege by the allies. Quite a bit of their battle plan depends on how the battle of Leningrad goes.
The Battle of Leningrad
Germany's side:
16 infantry
4 Artillery
11 Tanks
2 fighters
3 tactical bomber
1 bomber
12 at 1, 8 at 2, 13 at 3, 4 at 4, and bombards at 3 and 4
19 infantry
1 artillery
3 tanks
1 tactical bomber
2 fighters
20 at 2, 4 at 3, 2 at 4, and 6 antiaircraft
Bombard misses both shots, antiaircraft takes down one fighter.
First round: Germany rolls poorly, inflicts ten casualties. Russia rolls well, inflicts eleven hits.
Second round: Germany rolls about average, inflicts ten casualties. Russia rolls well, inflicts seven casualties.
Third round: Germany finishes Russia off, which gets three more hits.
Barbarossa declares a heroic victory, having lost all his infantry but only one of his tanks. His forces in Poland march into the Ukraine, pushing through minor resistance. Germany stacks it's men, collects it's Leningrad bonus (5 IPCs I believe) and stacks men up like cordwood.
Russia
Russia's honor has been savaged. More importantly, it's armies. Russia is so distracted by it's buys it doesn't notice me stealing it's eggroll. That's what I mean by total war.
Russia goes to trade land for space again, spreading it's infantry out into one man in every country it can reach thereabouts, defense in depth. It's lone tank, representing what's left of it's striking power, goes south with a mass of infantry to head off Germany's southern force.
In a bold maneuver, Russia has purchased two more tanks and a fighter, along with it's infantry. We'll see if it pays off.
Japan
Japan has to deal with an American Fleet around the Carolines, and push back China. China has massed seven infantry, an artillery piece and it's flying tigers in Yunnan. I'd dearly like to take them out, but I've only got one infantry and one artillery piece as ground units in range. Japan would also like to take Malaysia and the Shen State (again). This turn boils down to two critical battles; the battle in Yunnan and the American fleet:
Against Yunnan, I focus my paltry two ground units and the mass of the airforce; eight fighters and five tactical bombers. China hits three times, Japan loses two fighters and an infantry, leaving an artillery piece there to take the province. This probably breaks china's back, as they'll have a hard time keeping the Burma road open from this point.
On the fleet side, Japan takes four destroyers, two submaries, a carrier, two fighters and four bombers from the mainland against the American fleet. A submarine, a destroyer, a cruiser, a carrier with a tactical bomber and a fighter and a battleship defend two transports. Japan rolls well, hitting with all four bombers. In the carnage, America lost it's destroyer, so Japan's surviving submarine has first strike again. The submarine gets a surprise hit in, sinks the battleship being the only remaining sea unit, and the fighter is shot down. Net cost to Japan: two destroyers.
Even more than the material costs, this victory is important as America doesn't have any more transports nearer than San Fransisco. It'll take them at least two turns to put more pressure on Japan, even if they do massacre that Japanese fleet. Napoleon has already suggested that that might be a turning point in the war.
Japan places two carriers and a destroyer in the Sea of Japan. Four already extant planes land on them. Japan also places three tanks on it's factory in French Indochina.
Britain (East)
Britain sends two tanks and it's remaining airforce to reopen the Burma road. While it succeds, with no casualties, it's two tanks are stranded out where Japan's new tanks can hit them.
Britain east collects at five. Japan collected at 64. Odd don't look good for them.
Britain (West)
On the Afrika campaign, Britain cosolidates it's South African troops in the Belgian Congo, presumably to lend them a hand down there. It's transport lands a man in French Madagascar, for that one critical IPC. Britain attempts a sea landing in Normandy, gets beaten back bloody, taking out three german infantry while losing four units of their own. Despite the Italian advances in Africa, their colonialism efforts leave Britain at +3 IPCs
ANZAC
ANZAC saved up it's IPCs from last turn. Uses same to purchase five subs. It has no other military actions in which it can engage.
Italy
Italy has a suspicously large amount of resources. Italy's frontiers have expanded to the point where they're going to have problems fighting past the guards on their new borders. As such they're consolidating in Cairo. An attempt to finish off the men in Yugoslavia failed due to stiff resistance. Looks like they'll try again next turn.
To ensure victory, they changed the neutral units from british representation to french.
U.S.A.
The U.S.A has to deal mostly with the problem of the Japanese fleet. It buys another fleet. This one with half a dozen submarines. It's Hawaii fleet attacks the carrier group off of Japan, sustaining heavy losses. Significantly, it's pacific bombers are removed. Seeing as Japan has no transports in range, it moves it's pacific fleet up to the ocean outside of Japan (not yet the same sea zone), and places yet another fleet on the San Fransisco coast.
China:
China purchases four infantry, places them on it's newly acquired seaside vistas in Kiansu. Kwangsi. Kwiansu. Whatever; the one directly north of Hong Kong.
France
Thanks to British and American predation, France is down to exactly two territories, from which it would collect two IPCs, if it had a capital. Which it doesn't.
An inauspicious turn for the allies, but the war is far from lost. Join us next time, in Turn 4.
Germany builds masses and masses of men. About 15. Germany is hunkering down for an extended siege by the allies. Quite a bit of their battle plan depends on how the battle of Leningrad goes.
The Battle of Leningrad
Germany's side:
16 infantry
4 Artillery
11 Tanks
2 fighters
3 tactical bomber
1 bomber
12 at 1, 8 at 2, 13 at 3, 4 at 4, and bombards at 3 and 4
19 infantry
1 artillery
3 tanks
1 tactical bomber
2 fighters
20 at 2, 4 at 3, 2 at 4, and 6 antiaircraft
Bombard misses both shots, antiaircraft takes down one fighter.
First round: Germany rolls poorly, inflicts ten casualties. Russia rolls well, inflicts eleven hits.
Second round: Germany rolls about average, inflicts ten casualties. Russia rolls well, inflicts seven casualties.
Third round: Germany finishes Russia off, which gets three more hits.
Barbarossa declares a heroic victory, having lost all his infantry but only one of his tanks. His forces in Poland march into the Ukraine, pushing through minor resistance. Germany stacks it's men, collects it's Leningrad bonus (5 IPCs I believe) and stacks men up like cordwood.
Russia
Russia's honor has been savaged. More importantly, it's armies. Russia is so distracted by it's buys it doesn't notice me stealing it's eggroll. That's what I mean by total war.
Russia goes to trade land for space again, spreading it's infantry out into one man in every country it can reach thereabouts, defense in depth. It's lone tank, representing what's left of it's striking power, goes south with a mass of infantry to head off Germany's southern force.
In a bold maneuver, Russia has purchased two more tanks and a fighter, along with it's infantry. We'll see if it pays off.
Japan
Japan has to deal with an American Fleet around the Carolines, and push back China. China has massed seven infantry, an artillery piece and it's flying tigers in Yunnan. I'd dearly like to take them out, but I've only got one infantry and one artillery piece as ground units in range. Japan would also like to take Malaysia and the Shen State (again). This turn boils down to two critical battles; the battle in Yunnan and the American fleet:
Against Yunnan, I focus my paltry two ground units and the mass of the airforce; eight fighters and five tactical bombers. China hits three times, Japan loses two fighters and an infantry, leaving an artillery piece there to take the province. This probably breaks china's back, as they'll have a hard time keeping the Burma road open from this point.
On the fleet side, Japan takes four destroyers, two submaries, a carrier, two fighters and four bombers from the mainland against the American fleet. A submarine, a destroyer, a cruiser, a carrier with a tactical bomber and a fighter and a battleship defend two transports. Japan rolls well, hitting with all four bombers. In the carnage, America lost it's destroyer, so Japan's surviving submarine has first strike again. The submarine gets a surprise hit in, sinks the battleship being the only remaining sea unit, and the fighter is shot down. Net cost to Japan: two destroyers.
Even more than the material costs, this victory is important as America doesn't have any more transports nearer than San Fransisco. It'll take them at least two turns to put more pressure on Japan, even if they do massacre that Japanese fleet. Napoleon has already suggested that that might be a turning point in the war.
Japan places two carriers and a destroyer in the Sea of Japan. Four already extant planes land on them. Japan also places three tanks on it's factory in French Indochina.
Britain (East)
Britain sends two tanks and it's remaining airforce to reopen the Burma road. While it succeds, with no casualties, it's two tanks are stranded out where Japan's new tanks can hit them.
Britain east collects at five. Japan collected at 64. Odd don't look good for them.
Britain (West)
On the Afrika campaign, Britain cosolidates it's South African troops in the Belgian Congo, presumably to lend them a hand down there. It's transport lands a man in French Madagascar, for that one critical IPC. Britain attempts a sea landing in Normandy, gets beaten back bloody, taking out three german infantry while losing four units of their own. Despite the Italian advances in Africa, their colonialism efforts leave Britain at +3 IPCs
ANZAC
ANZAC saved up it's IPCs from last turn. Uses same to purchase five subs. It has no other military actions in which it can engage.
Italy
Italy has a suspicously large amount of resources. Italy's frontiers have expanded to the point where they're going to have problems fighting past the guards on their new borders. As such they're consolidating in Cairo. An attempt to finish off the men in Yugoslavia failed due to stiff resistance. Looks like they'll try again next turn.
To ensure victory, they changed the neutral units from british representation to french.
U.S.A.
The U.S.A has to deal mostly with the problem of the Japanese fleet. It buys another fleet. This one with half a dozen submarines. It's Hawaii fleet attacks the carrier group off of Japan, sustaining heavy losses. Significantly, it's pacific bombers are removed. Seeing as Japan has no transports in range, it moves it's pacific fleet up to the ocean outside of Japan (not yet the same sea zone), and places yet another fleet on the San Fransisco coast.
China:
China purchases four infantry, places them on it's newly acquired seaside vistas in Kiansu. Kwangsi. Kwiansu. Whatever; the one directly north of Hong Kong.
France
Thanks to British and American predation, France is down to exactly two territories, from which it would collect two IPCs, if it had a capital. Which it doesn't.
An inauspicious turn for the allies, but the war is far from lost. Join us next time, in Turn 4.
Livebloggin Axis and Allies! (Turn 2)
This is the second turn of the game. It's suggested you read the first turn posted just previously.
Germany
Germany spends some of it's French largesse buying transports. The German advances come in two directions; hitting Normandy, the last French holdout on the continent, and hitting the Baltic States. Entirely too much force is used taking the Baltic states, but it pretty much guarantees that Leningrad falls next turn. Updates as the situation warrants.
Russia
At this point Zerg_Rush has gone home to sleep, or possibly play Warcraft. Napoleon takes over.
Russia pours everything it has into defending Leningrad. This should be interesting. Russia buys stacks of infantry elsewhere, but the coming battle will likely leave both armies depleted of forces along the front. Germany also has a stack of infantry that won't be able to make it, which might make a stab towards Stalingrad, or be brought north as well.
Japan
Japan's main problem now is that the American Fleet, congregated around Hawaii, can reach the Japanese Mainland should it so choose. It can also reach Korea, which has led to defeat in previous games. America hits Korea, Japan has no troops to retake it, America builds factory there, America builds tanks there. America Upgrades factory, America builds even more tanks, Japan can't stop it. So it's imperative for Japan to head off an attempt. As such, even though japan has a significant fleet it spends 30 IPCs on a carrier, a submarine and a destroyer, which will help it fend off a possible fleet engagement. It also purchases an industrial complex for French Indochina and mainland production.
The Japanese fleet successfully lands troops on Indonesia, Java and Borneo, for twelve IPCs and the 5 IPC bonus for the co-prosperity sphere. The British Fleet, On the coast of Burma, gets destroyed. China has it's units bunched into Yunnan, which Japan doesn't have the ground forces to attack. On the other hand, it doesn't have much elswhere in China, and those units get slaughtered. ANZAC loses it's destroyer and transport to a pair of subs, inflicting no casualties.
Britain (West)
The transport from the mediterranean moves a unit from Britain into Normandy, while the transport in Britain enacts operation Jupiter. The man marching from West India makes it to Persia. Couple IPCS, and infantry on the back end of nowhere. The battle for Africa is shaping up with Italy poised to strike Cairo from three directions. We'll see. More tanks placed on S. Africa, More transports and transport fodder in Britain proper.
Britain (East)
Their soldiers relentlessly march back into the Shen state, driving out the lone Japanese defender. Aggressor. It's hard to tell when it gets as much fighting and conquering as that territory does. In a bloody and desperate defense the lone Samurai destroys three british fighters. A single infantryman is moved over to Africa, into Italian Somalia. Much debate is poured into whether or not to send the airforce against the Japanese fleet, with the end result that they go for it. Britain loses a destroyer and two fighters, taking out a tactical bomber and tilting a carrier. A net victory for Japan.
Britain places more ground forces in India, including two tanks, and passes turn. A brief intermission occurs.
Germany
Germany spends some of it's French largesse buying transports. The German advances come in two directions; hitting Normandy, the last French holdout on the continent, and hitting the Baltic States. Entirely too much force is used taking the Baltic states, but it pretty much guarantees that Leningrad falls next turn. Updates as the situation warrants.
Russia
At this point Zerg_Rush has gone home to sleep, or possibly play Warcraft. Napoleon takes over.
Russia pours everything it has into defending Leningrad. This should be interesting. Russia buys stacks of infantry elsewhere, but the coming battle will likely leave both armies depleted of forces along the front. Germany also has a stack of infantry that won't be able to make it, which might make a stab towards Stalingrad, or be brought north as well.
Japan
Japan's main problem now is that the American Fleet, congregated around Hawaii, can reach the Japanese Mainland should it so choose. It can also reach Korea, which has led to defeat in previous games. America hits Korea, Japan has no troops to retake it, America builds factory there, America builds tanks there. America Upgrades factory, America builds even more tanks, Japan can't stop it. So it's imperative for Japan to head off an attempt. As such, even though japan has a significant fleet it spends 30 IPCs on a carrier, a submarine and a destroyer, which will help it fend off a possible fleet engagement. It also purchases an industrial complex for French Indochina and mainland production.
The Japanese fleet successfully lands troops on Indonesia, Java and Borneo, for twelve IPCs and the 5 IPC bonus for the co-prosperity sphere. The British Fleet, On the coast of Burma, gets destroyed. China has it's units bunched into Yunnan, which Japan doesn't have the ground forces to attack. On the other hand, it doesn't have much elswhere in China, and those units get slaughtered. ANZAC loses it's destroyer and transport to a pair of subs, inflicting no casualties.
Britain (West)
The transport from the mediterranean moves a unit from Britain into Normandy, while the transport in Britain enacts operation Jupiter. The man marching from West India makes it to Persia. Couple IPCS, and infantry on the back end of nowhere. The battle for Africa is shaping up with Italy poised to strike Cairo from three directions. We'll see. More tanks placed on S. Africa, More transports and transport fodder in Britain proper.
Britain (East)
Their soldiers relentlessly march back into the Shen state, driving out the lone Japanese defender. Aggressor. It's hard to tell when it gets as much fighting and conquering as that territory does. In a bloody and desperate defense the lone Samurai destroys three british fighters. A single infantryman is moved over to Africa, into Italian Somalia. Much debate is poured into whether or not to send the airforce against the Japanese fleet, with the end result that they go for it. Britain loses a destroyer and two fighters, taking out a tactical bomber and tilting a carrier. A net victory for Japan.
Britain places more ground forces in India, including two tanks, and passes turn. A brief intermission occurs.
Liveblogging Axis and Allies!
We've been working ourselves into a frenzy over Axis and Allies over here. Today we're playing it. And I intend to chronicle it here.
Dramatis Personae:
Barbarossa, playing Germany and Italy
Zerg_Rush, playing Russia and France briefly.
Havoc Jack (myself) playing Japan
Napoleon, playing Britain, ANZAC, the U.S.A, China, and the other allied powers after Zerg_Rush bows out.
There's much confusion as to who exactly is going to play what power this game. Barbarossa shotguns Germany, starts planning attacks, and it's only after his turn that we finally figure out who all is playing what all else.
Germany
Germany is reaching out to consume all it can, much like Barbarossa himself reaches accross the table for the last slice of pizza. He's doing the traditional Germany-attacks-everything-it-possibly-can manuever, which worked out so well in the original war.
The unterseaboat fleet has joined with the Luftwaffe to destroy the British fleet, which goes well for the krauts, except for the battle in the north Seas. Britain's battleship and cruiser survived, sinking the submarines and gunning down one fighter. On the Russian side, the German battleship and cruiser sink the Russian battleship. War is declaired on Russia.
On the land, Germany marched into Paris, over heavy losses. The Panzers survive, the one Stuka is allowed to live despite never getting a hit off even though it rolled at 4 all battle. Germany offers an abortive invasion into Yugoslavia, mostly as a ploy to move troops. The rules have a bit of a sticky spot that you can retreat into any country you invaded from. so by attacking Yugoslavia with troops from rumania and Greater Southern Germany, you can retreat all your infantry to Rumania, effectivly giving them two spaces of movement. Clever, suspect, but legal. Russia gets hit in Eastern Poland, losing it's three infantry with no casualties inflicted.
In the noncombat phase, Germany takes over finland for the troops and IPCs. Notably, it leaves Bulgaria alone, for the Italians.
On the other side of the board Japan and Russia negotiate a treaty, without any help from Teddy Roosevelt.
Be it hereby resolved:
Russia will make no move of aggression against peace-loving Japan and their colonies in Korea and Manchuria. In exchange for not keeping the Korean wives up at night for fear of Soviet rapine, Japan has courteously agreed not to send expeditionary forces into Amur, Siberia or the Soviet Far East.
Undersigned Havoc Jack for the Empire of Japan
Napoleon for the C.C.C.P
Effectively, this border is sealed. note that it's entirely possible for battle to be engaged accross the Chinese border, or even the border with Persia, should troops of either side get there.
Russia
Russia engages in it's traditional strategy of exchanging land for time. They leave just enough infantry to stop a German panzer blitz, and reinforce Leningrad. Russia places infantry, three on Leningrad the rest on Moscow. Russia buckles down and waits for winter.
Japan
Japan also engages in the traditional Axis strategy of attacking like a wolverine let out of a burlap sack; everything and everyone at once. Except for Russia. Inroads are made into China, the burma road is split at Yunnan (at the loss of two infantry), and the Phillipines is hit with the combined might of the Japanese Navy. It goes poorly for the allied troops. Japan loses two infantry in the ground invasion though. French Indochina and the Shen state get trampled, and the infantry from the Carolines and Palau Island are landed on Celebes. Some quick slaughter, and Japan places the three transports it purchased just outside of Japan.
These actions bring the U.S.A into the war early. It's questionable that that's the right move, seeing as the U.S. gets a 30 IPC bonus for being at war, but given that they'll be building up war resources anyway (it's amazing how aggressive you can be while still technically being neutral), the consensus is that we hit them hard and now.
Britain
In the East:
Britain moves it's transports out to place units in the Southeast Asia Co Prosperity Sphere, taking Java and Indonesia from the innocent dutch. Otherwise, it's land units go to retake the Shen state, without incident. Places a tank, two men and an artillery piece in India
In the West:
Britain attempts to sail a cruiser over a submarine, argues that sea units can pass over submarines. The rules are consulted: "Sea units must stop movement as soon as they enter a hostile sea zone." Britain replots it's naval maneuvers. Further rules are consulted; Submarines alone don't stop naval movement, but they would get a pot shot if he moved a transport with them. I confess this is a section of the rules I was entirely ignorant of. A lone German sub occupies the sea zone off of wales, is being assaulted.
Germany has left a single fighter in Holland. Britain sends the R.A.F on a fighter sweep. They hit the fighter without losing any of their own. Painful.
Britain also does the traditional beating up of the Italian fleet. The Italians traditionally die horribly. One British destroyer is lost, to an Italian cruiser and Battleship. Much frustration is heard from Barbarossa.
Britain withdraws from Alexandria, defends Cairo. Places Tank, man, artillery piece in S. Africa, two destroyers in Britain.
ANZAC:
ANZAC feels the pressure. It purchases two infantry and one artillery piece, to defend the homeland. It sends a lone fighter out to hit the lone Jap destroyer in the carolines successfully. He moves troops down to New Guinea, in hopes of taking Dutch New Gunea and his 5 IPC bonus next turn.
Italy:
Italy starts in a bind, having lost the better part of it's fleet and inflicted very light casualties. It goes for a desperation attack against the British Fleet. Two fighters, a destroyer and a cruiser against a cruiser, a carrier a fighter and a tactical bomber. The fighting in S. Europe is being postponed until troops from Bulgaria arrive. S. france is being attacked by 4 at 2 against 2 at 2. Italy lands an invasion force in Syria, masses in Alexandria. And sends two infantry against one in Tunisia and the Sudan.
"Hey! It worked!"
The feared Italian battle cry. Against odds and consistent Italian sucking, Italy takes out the Mediterranean Brits. Their other aggressions in Africa and the Middle east go well. Italy places it's purchased infantry, artillery into northern Italy. Lands it's planes in Tobruk.
U.S.A! U.S.A! U.S.A.!
(Sorry, force of habit)
U.S.A
The Doolittle raids are a success; Japan failed to notice that the American bomber could launch from Hawaii, hit the transports in the sea of Japan, and land on Midway. (And by "Japan", I mean me. I; I failed to notice.) They move their fleet up to Hawaii, place some new carriers, and pass turn to...
China
China spends 12 IPCs, purchases four infantry. China attacks Yunnan, attempting to retake the Burma road. The attack is successful. China places it's infantry into Yunnan, and one into Hunan.
France
Moving on...
To be continued
Dramatis Personae:
Barbarossa, playing Germany and Italy
Zerg_Rush, playing Russia and France briefly.
Havoc Jack (myself) playing Japan
Napoleon, playing Britain, ANZAC, the U.S.A, China, and the other allied powers after Zerg_Rush bows out.
There's much confusion as to who exactly is going to play what power this game. Barbarossa shotguns Germany, starts planning attacks, and it's only after his turn that we finally figure out who all is playing what all else.
Germany
Germany is reaching out to consume all it can, much like Barbarossa himself reaches accross the table for the last slice of pizza. He's doing the traditional Germany-attacks-everything-it-possibly-can manuever, which worked out so well in the original war.
The unterseaboat fleet has joined with the Luftwaffe to destroy the British fleet, which goes well for the krauts, except for the battle in the north Seas. Britain's battleship and cruiser survived, sinking the submarines and gunning down one fighter. On the Russian side, the German battleship and cruiser sink the Russian battleship. War is declaired on Russia.
On the land, Germany marched into Paris, over heavy losses. The Panzers survive, the one Stuka is allowed to live despite never getting a hit off even though it rolled at 4 all battle. Germany offers an abortive invasion into Yugoslavia, mostly as a ploy to move troops. The rules have a bit of a sticky spot that you can retreat into any country you invaded from. so by attacking Yugoslavia with troops from rumania and Greater Southern Germany, you can retreat all your infantry to Rumania, effectivly giving them two spaces of movement. Clever, suspect, but legal. Russia gets hit in Eastern Poland, losing it's three infantry with no casualties inflicted.
In the noncombat phase, Germany takes over finland for the troops and IPCs. Notably, it leaves Bulgaria alone, for the Italians.
On the other side of the board Japan and Russia negotiate a treaty, without any help from Teddy Roosevelt.
Be it hereby resolved:
Russia will make no move of aggression against peace-loving Japan and their colonies in Korea and Manchuria. In exchange for not keeping the Korean wives up at night for fear of Soviet rapine, Japan has courteously agreed not to send expeditionary forces into Amur, Siberia or the Soviet Far East.
Undersigned Havoc Jack for the Empire of Japan
Napoleon for the C.C.C.P
Effectively, this border is sealed. note that it's entirely possible for battle to be engaged accross the Chinese border, or even the border with Persia, should troops of either side get there.
Russia
Russia engages in it's traditional strategy of exchanging land for time. They leave just enough infantry to stop a German panzer blitz, and reinforce Leningrad. Russia places infantry, three on Leningrad the rest on Moscow. Russia buckles down and waits for winter.
Japan
Japan also engages in the traditional Axis strategy of attacking like a wolverine let out of a burlap sack; everything and everyone at once. Except for Russia. Inroads are made into China, the burma road is split at Yunnan (at the loss of two infantry), and the Phillipines is hit with the combined might of the Japanese Navy. It goes poorly for the allied troops. Japan loses two infantry in the ground invasion though. French Indochina and the Shen state get trampled, and the infantry from the Carolines and Palau Island are landed on Celebes. Some quick slaughter, and Japan places the three transports it purchased just outside of Japan.
These actions bring the U.S.A into the war early. It's questionable that that's the right move, seeing as the U.S. gets a 30 IPC bonus for being at war, but given that they'll be building up war resources anyway (it's amazing how aggressive you can be while still technically being neutral), the consensus is that we hit them hard and now.
Britain
In the East:
Britain moves it's transports out to place units in the Southeast Asia Co Prosperity Sphere, taking Java and Indonesia from the innocent dutch. Otherwise, it's land units go to retake the Shen state, without incident. Places a tank, two men and an artillery piece in India
In the West:
Britain attempts to sail a cruiser over a submarine, argues that sea units can pass over submarines. The rules are consulted: "Sea units must stop movement as soon as they enter a hostile sea zone." Britain replots it's naval maneuvers. Further rules are consulted; Submarines alone don't stop naval movement, but they would get a pot shot if he moved a transport with them. I confess this is a section of the rules I was entirely ignorant of. A lone German sub occupies the sea zone off of wales, is being assaulted.
Germany has left a single fighter in Holland. Britain sends the R.A.F on a fighter sweep. They hit the fighter without losing any of their own. Painful.
Britain also does the traditional beating up of the Italian fleet. The Italians traditionally die horribly. One British destroyer is lost, to an Italian cruiser and Battleship. Much frustration is heard from Barbarossa.
Britain withdraws from Alexandria, defends Cairo. Places Tank, man, artillery piece in S. Africa, two destroyers in Britain.
ANZAC:
ANZAC feels the pressure. It purchases two infantry and one artillery piece, to defend the homeland. It sends a lone fighter out to hit the lone Jap destroyer in the carolines successfully. He moves troops down to New Guinea, in hopes of taking Dutch New Gunea and his 5 IPC bonus next turn.
Italy:
Italy starts in a bind, having lost the better part of it's fleet and inflicted very light casualties. It goes for a desperation attack against the British Fleet. Two fighters, a destroyer and a cruiser against a cruiser, a carrier a fighter and a tactical bomber. The fighting in S. Europe is being postponed until troops from Bulgaria arrive. S. france is being attacked by 4 at 2 against 2 at 2. Italy lands an invasion force in Syria, masses in Alexandria. And sends two infantry against one in Tunisia and the Sudan.
"Hey! It worked!"
The feared Italian battle cry. Against odds and consistent Italian sucking, Italy takes out the Mediterranean Brits. Their other aggressions in Africa and the Middle east go well. Italy places it's purchased infantry, artillery into northern Italy. Lands it's planes in Tobruk.
U.S.A! U.S.A! U.S.A.!
(Sorry, force of habit)
U.S.A
The Doolittle raids are a success; Japan failed to notice that the American bomber could launch from Hawaii, hit the transports in the sea of Japan, and land on Midway. (And by "Japan", I mean me. I; I failed to notice.) They move their fleet up to Hawaii, place some new carriers, and pass turn to...
China
China spends 12 IPCs, purchases four infantry. China attacks Yunnan, attempting to retake the Burma road. The attack is successful. China places it's infantry into Yunnan, and one into Hunan.
France
Moving on...
To be continued
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