Russian or German

[Sabre21]

I play both sides. Each side is just as entertaining as the other.

[Helpless]

There is another always wining side in the game - scenario makers..

[jonreb31]

Germans. It's been a lifelong daydream to prove to the world they could have saved the west from Communism! [:D]

[malfid]

I've already got all sorts of hypotheticals in mind, Helpless.

A war with both sides better prepared?

A war with the Soviets not having undergone the Purges?

Fantasy scenarios?

I already feel a winner. My sincerest thanks to all the developers who created and included such a powerful editor.

[parusski]

ORIGINAL: malfid

Soviet*, of course. The desperation of shattering losses and wholesale retreats, followed by the tenuous balance of the mid-war and then, ever so slowly, a triumphant turn-around in one's battlefield fortunes. It's an underdog story; the best kind of story. There's no miracle in Germany's many triumphs during 1941-1943 across the Soviet Union. The miracle is the story of Soviet survival.

Nothin' finer than grindin' the Wehrmacht to a fine powder.  

Very fine reason to play the Soviets malfid. Very fine indeed. But I still need to destroy the red menace. God save the west. Germany for me.

[Icekill]

Axis always to start with, if/once i get tired or want a different challenge, i will try Russia.

I might be totally wrong and going a bit off topic, but for what i have seen in different hardcore WWII games, i have the feeling that most of grognards (specially Europeans like me) feel attracted by the Axis innovative strategies, equipment, military discipline, leaders (i mean military ones, not Hitler) and war domination at least early in the war.

On the other hand, there are plenty of USA grognards that prefer to play with USA if available, as i guess they feel more identified with their own country.

It was that way for sure when i used to play WWII Online.

About Russia... they are the red evil, who would wan to play with them? (joking on this one).

[hgilmer3]

Coin Flip for me --------------------->>>>>>>>>  Heads it's Germany, Tails it's Russian -------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>   The flip!!!


Tails it is!!!! Playing Russian first!!

[PyleDriver]

Its much easier to learn starting with the Axis. The Soviets have alot more to do than the Axis...

[rjh1971]

Yes do take Jon's advice unless you're playing a late war scenario.

[malfid]

feeling that most of grognards (specially Europeans like me) feel attracted by the Axis innovative strategies, equipment, military discipline, leaders

Ahh, but do you not feel the attraction of the echeloned offensive? Of deep battle? Of giving rise to the best developed operational doctrine of the Late War/Post-War period? Do you not want to mold your own war machine over the ruins of a decreipt system? Some yearn to lead the blade of the Axis to victory. I would rather be the Soviet Hammer.

By 1945, you are in charge of the greatest military machine the world has ever seen. Majestic!

But I still need to destroy the red menace. God save the west. Germany for me.

Well said, old bean

[jomni]

But isn't it the same case as WITP? Allies are best for newbies because they will certainly win without trying too hard. Allies can even afford to bungle during the first year as in history.

Or does the Germans really have a chance of conquering Russia if the Soviet player blows it at the start in this game?

[Sabre21]

ORIGINAL: jomni

But isn't it the same case as WITP? Allies are best for newbies because they will certainly win without trying too hard. Allies can even afford to bungle during the first year as in history.

Or does the Germans really have a chance of conquering Russia if the Soviet player blows it at the start in this game?

Oh yes, the Germans can definitely win the 41 Campaign. A couple of the scenarios are tough for one side or the other, but to the most part, players of equal caliber will have an equal chance of winning.

[Zemke]

Panzers Roll!

[sfbaytf]

Honestly I think I could play either side and don't have a preference. That's a far cry from War in the Pacific where I have a strong preference for the Allied side. 

[sfbaytf]

Didn't Stalin bungle it early historically?

ORIGINAL: jomni

But isn't it the same case as WITP? Allies are best for newbies because they will certainly win without trying too hard. Allies can even afford to bungle during the first year as in history.

Or does the Germans really have a chance of conquering Russia if the Soviet player blows it at the start in this game?

[Zovs]

In 1943 and beyond the Soviets are the way to go. 1942 as Soviets is tough but still fun to bash, smash and crush the Axis in winter.

Germans in 1941 and 1942 are fun, but the Soviets in 1941 is a challenge, unless you play Andy and it's game over in about 14 or so turns...lol.

[EisenHammer]

The tutorial makes you play as the soviet first, so I guess it's soviet first then the axis. [:'(]

[Zovs]

One thing that shines out (at least to me) is that there are some subtle and not so subtle differences in how to play both the Axis and Soviets, and it also depends on the year and season.

The easiest to grasp if you have read the majority of books on the Eastern Front (such as from Glantz but really from Ziemkie or the Germans point of view, most of the west books) then you can pretty much employ blitzkrieg like tactics; however you'll have to discover how to get the most out of your units before the Soviets strike back in the winter. Likewise, it was very easy for me to grasp the 1943 style of tactics of the Soviets and bash, crush and destroy the Axis lines and send them reeling to the Carpathian mountains in the south and take Riga in Feb 1944.

But I suspect a lot of players will race for the glories of 1941 and 1942 in a Guderian style which is fine and one of the many things fantastic about this game.

[jomni]

ORIGINAL: sfbaytf
Didn't Stalin bungle it early historically?

I'm no Eastern front historian so I don't know. [:D]

[Redmarkus5]

ORIGINAL: malfid

Soviet*, of course. The desperation of shattering losses and wholesale retreats, followed by the tenuous balance of the mid-war and then, ever so slowly, a triumphant turn-around in one's battlefield fortunes. It's an underdog story; the best kind of story. There's no miracle in Germany's many triumphs during 1941-1943 across the Soviet Union. The miracle is the story of Soviet survival.

Nothin' finer than grindin' the Wehrmacht to a fine powder.  

+1 Absolutely!