Defeating Perfidious Imperialists-Nemo(J) vs Trollelite(A) No Trolls

[Nemo121]

Troll-free Zone please.


Well, seeing as Trollelite has agreed to a game I figured I'd start a thread discussing it. This PBEM is going to use a very slightly modified version of Empires Ablaze 1.0 ( I'm going to use my Japanese planning routine to spot any final errors in the game before releasing 1.0 + I'm going to make the Soviet Union inactive as per Trollelite's request ).

So, what are our house rules:

1. Soviet Union Inactive - activated when Manchukuo garrison falls below 8,000 or the Japanese attack.

2. No dive-bombers on naval attack above 25,000 feet.

3. No kamikazes above 25,000 feet.

4. No G9Ms used for port attacks.

5. No Ki-264 Behemoths employed below 20,000 feet.

6. Aden is off-limits to capture.

7. Shipping and bases in the "shipping lane" running along the south and west of the map are immune to IJN attack.

8. Sub-landings are allowed but ONLY by IJA SNLF and Parachute units and Allied Marine, Parachute, Commando and Australian "Force" units.


Of note: Surprise is ON and there are NO limitations on port attacks - expect to see PH, Manilla and Singapore being crucified on the first day.

What's my goal? Well to absolutely crucify the Allies in the first couple of turns and try to ensure that every Allied vessel in a region bounded by Singapore, Java, Northern Oz, Hawaii, Alaska gets sunk in the first few days of the war such that my forces can thrust forward quickly and safely. I'm going to set up my war economy to put out the maximum offensive power possible at the expense of defensive power ( IOW I'll go for long-range heavy bombers instead of light short ranged bombers and will build Zeroes instead of Mikes as Zeroes are much more useful offensively albeit they are not as good overall ).

I also have a few "wrinkles" I'd like to try in this game which I've never tried before. The overall intention is to stick to things which were militarily possible and not to try to win through exploitation of game mechanics ( dropping 10 paras to block the movement of a 100,000 man army etc ). The one exception to this will be a fairly ruthless exploitation of the first turn move bonus to initiate landings at Kendari, Amboina, Borneo and various Pacific bases. I will NOT be moving troop convoys or TFs other than subs west of Singapore though... Some may have issue with this but all I'd say is that when you look at Hoepner's AAR you really can't argue that Trollelite would be very restrained so a little lack of restraint to create a suitable level of "shock and awe" is, IMO, warranted.

Ideally I want to force an Allied surrender by the end of 1942. It must be noted that the Allies in THIS version of the mod are stronger than they are in my game vs jagdfluger and the Japanese are weaker SO actually Trollelite has a better chance in this game than I had in my game vs jagdfluger... I think he has made a major mistake in asking for the Soviets to be inactive and I advised that they be active but it is my job to beat him not to advise him regarding strategy.

Comments and feedback welcome.

[Nemo121]

Umm, troll-free zone Trollelite...

Peeking isn't really fair. Benefit of the doubt is being given this once obviously as you may not have seen the Troll-free bit.

[goodboyladdie]

ORIGINAL: Nemo121

Umm, troll-free zone Trollelite...

Peeking isn't really fair. Benefit of the doubt is being given this once obviously as you may not have seen the Troll-free bit.

Naughty Boy! Good luck Nemo. I was hoping you'd call him out. I shall be cheering you on.

[Andy Mac]

Ummmm Soviet inactive was one of the HUGE mistakes I made in our short game I think thats a huge balance issue in the mod I would strongly recommend getting him to change that otherwise it will be a short game.
 
Andy

[modrow]

Hm. Goodboyladdie just sent my message [8D]. Haven't got anything else to say right now...
Hartwig

[trollelite]

I have to copy the final HR. Always the first page should not contain any "secret plans" or such things, falls the other side want to post something there, too.  Considering your reputation, this aar should quickly turn to second page anyway, before you have to post any thing important.

Do this when aar turn to next page...[:D] I don't see any word in beneath frozen zone.

[goodboyladdie]

He's bloody peeking again right now!

[AcePylut]

Why not force him to play under the HR's he imposes against Allied opponents when he's the Japs?

[Yava]

ORIGINAL: goodboyladdie

He's bloody peeking again right now!

[:D]

[Roger Neilson II]

and so it goes on.....

[Nemo121]

Hi Trollelite, I see you are still here. Again, benefit of the doubt and all that ---- you may not be aware of the internet protocol but this is intended to be a CLOSED AAR in which I can discuss my thoughts, plans etc freely. As I've said to you via email I don't plan to form a committee to get strategic advice or anything ( and I hope forum members won't mind my pointing out that I tend to do alright on my own [:D] ) BUT I do enjoy chatting about strategy and tactics and obviously I cannot do this if you're going to be reading the thread.

I'm sure your friends will tell you if I'm seeking counsel etc here as opposed to just enjoying a discussion about the strategic and operational possibilities. I would, however, ask you to respect that this is supposed to be a CLOSED AAR which you should not read. Netiquette would hold that it isn't up to my opponent to decide which pages he will and will not read, once it is labelled a closed AAR then the opponent shouldn't enter it.

Thank you.

Acepylut,
Well:
a) I wouldn't enjoy that sort of game and
b) I think those HRs aren't really a recipe for an enjoyable game and
c) when I beat him ( as I intend to do ) I don't want it to be because House Rules crippled his defence.

My view of gaming is a bit like the Brazilians' attitude to football. Let him score as many goals as he wants, I'll just score one more

[hades1001]

I see what's going on here, you guys are just mean to trollelite, I have known him for a while and I don't like some of your attitude.
 
Seriously.

[Gen.Hoepner]

ORIGINAL: Nemo121



I'm sure your friends will tell you if I'm seeking counsel etc here as opposed to just enjoying a discussion about the strategic and operational possibilities.

What's the problem of seeking counsels? I think of it as a General Major Staff...you are the Commander in Chief and your readers are your counselors...that's what makes the AARs real fun for those who write them imho...

[Nemo121]

Andy,
 
I advised him twice to make them active. He was adamant that they not be active unless I activated them by attacking them or dropping the Manchukuo garrison below the required level. If I run too rampant elsewhere I'll activate the Soviets just for "sh*t and giggles" [:D]. Maybe he'll surprise me though, one can never be sure about these things.
 
On his behalf I really do hope he puts up a really good fight and does well without being too gamey as I think that would help rehabilitate his rep ( and that'd be a good thing for the community ). FWIW I strongly advise that this mod be played with the Soviets active and, in fact, in the released version of the mod there is no "Soviets inactive" option. I've had to mod the mod to accomodate Trollelite's request.
 
Do I think his choice was smart? No but there's only so often you can advise someone they are making a mistake. Sometimes I used to do the same thing when giving "Demonstration PBEMs" in Combat Mission. I would take on a set of parameters for the game which the conventional wisdom would state was suicidal and then I'd show how the conventional wisdom was wrong. Perhaps that is what's on Trollelite's mind? If it is then kudos to him. Winning is, after all, far less important than playing skillfully.

[Nemo121]

Hoepner,
 
I think Trollelite was worried that I might seek so much advice that, in effect, he'd be playing "the forum" as opposed to just playing Nemo. I can understand this concern on his part.
 
My reply is pretty much that:
a) I enjoy discussing all the options and will continue doing that BUT
b) in the end I'll make the final decision so it'll be me he plays.
 
 
Guys,
I'd like everyone to give Trollelite the benefit of the doubt. He may not have fully understood that if its a CLOSED AAR then it is CLOSED from the first post. He's logged out now and I'd ask that everyone give him the benefit of the doubt. He has emailed me saying that the custom he is used to is that the first page of an AAR is open and subsequent pages are closed. I've pointed out this isn't the custom here but let's give him the benefit of the doubt ok?

[Gen.Hoepner]

ORIGINAL: Nemo121

Hoepner,

I think Trollelite was worried that I might seek so much advice that, in effect, he'd be playing "the forum" as opposed to just playing Nemo. I can understand this concern on his part.

My reply is pretty much that:
a) I enjoy discussing all the options and will continue doing that BUT
b) in the end I'll make the final decision so it'll be me he plays.

That's exactly what i do (what i've always done actually)...think everybody does this anyway.

I can tell you something.
Trollelite is a good player and a fair opponent.
Some of His tactics against me may not sound that fair to most of you (me included) but as far as the HRs are clear and stated, he'll stick on them, without any problems or borderlining. My problem was that in our game i didn't expect these tactics...i wasn't aware from the beginning that we were going to play a game so...so...let's say borderlined...but was me the one who got caught with the pants down. He never did anything unfair (such as reading my AAR or such)...so don't worry:you guys are gonna have some fun! Just play[:)]

Best of luck to both of you[:'(]

[1275psi]

A long long time ago, in a forum called Uncommon Valor AARs, two players, herbiesan and Wobbly came up with the idea of parrallel closed AARs.

the purpose was simple -we could really write what we wanted to do -and all others watching could compare the AARs every day -we were very rigourous in posting every day.

This led to many exciting situations - Im going to bombard an A/F -and at the same time he's going to ship in a convoy -and the audience would know and could watch the fireworks.

Over the years closed AARs have become almost the Norm -but really, I do fear for them now - the number of "peekers" is growing.

Guys -its pretty simple. See someone "peeking" -we got to be brutal, or the whole joy of the honest AAR is going to go down the tube!

"Peekers " should be banned from the forum -full stop.

My two cents worth

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: Nemo121

Umm, troll-free zone Trollelite...

Peeking isn't really fair. Benefit of the doubt is being given this once obviously as you may not have seen the Troll-free bit.

lol, is this a joke?

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: hades1001

I see what's going on here, you guys are just mean to trollelite, I have known him for a while and I don't like some of your attitude.

Seriously.

It wasn´t our attitute, it was his attitude that pissed off most of the long term forum members...[8|]

[cantona2]

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

ORIGINAL: Nemo121



I'm sure your friends will tell you if I'm seeking counsel etc here as opposed to just enjoying a discussion about the strategic and operational possibilities.

What's the problem of seeking counsels? I think of it as a General Major Staff...you are the Commander in Chief and your readers are your counselors...that's what makes the AARs real fun for those who write them imho...

Thats if they get read