AllenK vs Mayhemizer III: Oil be back.

[Jagdtiger14]

Ok...I don't think we started putting cp's there right away either. One of us (not me) came up with the concept and it seemed like the right thing to do, so we all did it automatically after that. I'm not sure how common it is for players do this.

We also rail a couple factories down there too.

[Mayhemizer_slith]

I never realized USSR should build CP's to Caspian Sea. But cutting rail road as soon as possible sounded like s good idea so that they can't rail oil away.

[AllenK]

Sorry, being too flippant. I agree, it does make a lot of sense and not something I would have considered until you pointed it out. I have railed some factories down there.

[Centuur]

I usually put all USSR convoys in the Caspian Sea. It's the best place for them to be and I don't like to use precious Soviet build points on convoys...

[Barbuesque]

Thanks for keeping this up guys! Fascinating and instructive game, with cliffhanging moments at every turn.

[AlbertN]

We setup too all the convoys in the Caspian Sea really. As the lend lease via USA coming from Alaska is something I've yet to see to happen.

What's the US situation by the way?

[AllenK]

Thanks for all the comments and continuing interest.

Best way of showing US situation is the Entry Options. US will be passing War Appropriations at the next US Entry phase. After that, the clock is ticking, subject to the vagaries of the dice.

[AlbertN]

I think you pumped Tension way too much high up.
Usually my companion stops when he can get the 2nd Gear Up (Tension 17 about in both pools) and stops playing options.

If you cross reference the Entry needed for that Tension to DoW, is quite optimal.

[Courtenay]

ORIGINAL: Jagdtiger14

Ok...I don't think we started putting cp's there right away either. One of us (not me) came up with the concept and it seemed like the right thing to do, so we all did it automatically after that. I'm not sure how common it is for players do this.

A CP in the Caspian Sea is automatic for me. If nothing else, it makes the invasion of Persia much easier. It can also help in other cases, but the Russians hope that that does not happen.

[Jagdtiger14]

Putting all cp's in the Caspian is probably the way to go...we only put one there and the rest in Murmansk/Archangel to help the WAllies get more BP's to USSR in case their cp's are being hammered.

That's right, helps make Persia easier!

[AllenK]

ORIGINAL: Cohen

I think you pumped Tension way too much high up.
Usually my companion stops when he can get the 2nd Gear Up (Tension 17 about in both pools) and stops playing options.

If you cross reference the Entry needed for that Tension to DoW, is quite optimal.

I agree, the tension has gone up more than optimum but the Japanese DoW on US boosted the GE/It tension level by a fair bit.

US hadn't yet reached 2nd Gear Up until the Jap DoW (Japanese tension side was too low) but is there now. In hindsight, looking at the Ge/It actions, I could have held back on occupying Greenland/Iceland and the 2 for resources and Lend-lease to USSR. That would probably have saved 3 chits in the tension pool (would need to read back through the AAR to see the actual amount). The others I would still have played.

It's a bit of a fine balancing act as letting Entry get too high, compared with Tension, is also detrimental.

[Barbuesque]

ORIGINAL: AllenK

ORIGINAL: Cohen

I think you pumped Tension way too much high up.
Usually my companion stops when he can get the 2nd Gear Up (Tension 17 about in both pools) and stops playing options.

If you cross reference the Entry needed for that Tension to DoW, is quite optimal.

I agree, the tension has gone up more than optimum but the Japanese DoW on US boosted the GE/It tension level by a fair bit.

US hadn't yet reached 2nd Gear Up until the Jap DoW (Japanese tension side was too low) but is there now. In hindsight, looking at the Ge/It actions, I could have held back on occupying Greenland/Iceland and the 2 for resources and Lend-lease to USSR. That would probably have saved 3 chits in the tension pool (would need to read back through the AAR to see the actual amount). The others I would still have played.

It's a bit of a fine balancing act as letting Entry get too high, compared with Tension, is also detrimental.

There might be a bug with MWIF. When Japan declared when on the US and you picked the entry actions that were still available, you only increase tension if you wish to do so:

"When the US goes to war with a major power, you are treated as having chosen every unchosen entry option aimed at that major power. You still roll for each of these options but don’t have to move a marker to the tension pool when called for unless you so desire "

[AllenK]

ORIGINAL: Barbuesque

ORIGINAL: AllenK

ORIGINAL: Cohen

I think you pumped Tension way too much high up.
Usually my companion stops when he can get the 2nd Gear Up (Tension 17 about in both pools) and stops playing options.

If you cross reference the Entry needed for that Tension to DoW, is quite optimal.

I agree, the tension has gone up more than optimum but the Japanese DoW on US boosted the GE/It tension level by a fair bit.

US hadn't yet reached 2nd Gear Up until the Jap DoW (Japanese tension side was too low) but is there now. In hindsight, looking at the Ge/It actions, I could have held back on occupying Greenland/Iceland and the 2 for resources and Lend-lease to USSR. That would probably have saved 3 chits in the tension pool (would need to read back through the AAR to see the actual amount). The others I would still have played.

It's a bit of a fine balancing act as letting Entry get too high, compared with Tension, is also detrimental.

There might be a bug with MWIF. When Japan declared when on the US and you picked the entry actions that were still available, you only increase tension if you wish to do so:

"When the US goes to war with a major power, you are treated as having chosen every unchosen entry option aimed at that major power. You still roll for each of these options but don’t have to move a marker to the tension pool when called for unless you so desire "

You'll have to ask Mayhemizer on that one as he administered the US Entry chits after the Jap DoW. Mayhemizer, should I have had choice over the movement of entry chits to the tension pool?

[Mayhemizer_slith]

It was not optional. I think...

As far as I know I was forced to move chits to tension pool. If I was able not to move those chits I did not realize it. I need to replay that phase when I get back home.

[AllenK]

S/O 41 Allied 6

No DoW

France Pass, US Naval, CW Combined, USSR and China Land.

CW send a CP from Gib to West Med. I figure Mayhemizer would want to intercept this as it probably is sailing elsewhere and this would give at least 2 bites of the cherry, so disorganise the Ftr. The intercept fails on an 8 and the CP sails into the lion's den of the Italian Coast. I decline the intercept here as it's pretty obvious that's where it's staying.

A second CP sails from Gib to West Med. The intercept is automatic but misses on an 8. The CP sails on to the East Med. I decline the intercepts as, again, it's fairly obvious that's where they are heading.

US task force in Nth Atlantic puts into Belfast. CP to Gulf of Alaska. CL Nashville loads 2nd Mar Div and sails to Polynesia. Japs can intercept with sub in 2-box. Disorganised CA is in 4-box. Do they want to?

[Mayhemizer_slith]

No thanks.

[AllenK]

ORIGINAL: Mayhemizer

It was not optional. I think...

As far as I know I was forced to move chits to tension pool. If I was able not to move those chits I did not realize it. I need to replay that phase when I get back home.

It'll be interesting from the technical point of view as it could be a potential bug. From a game point of view, I don't think a couple of chits extra in the Tension pool than might otherwise have been the case is going to make that much difference, so moving on ...

[AllenK]

The Mar Div docks at Suva. 2 Trans on the West Coast sail to West Coast 0-box and load a couple of Inf. A 7 CA/CL TF sails to Mendochino 3-box. A 4 CA/CL TF sails to Gulf of Alaska. Sub sails to Polynesia 1-box. Trans loads Mar into East coast 0-box.

A fair number of sea areas are available for combat. CW declines Italian Coast, Cape St Vincent, Cape Verde and Nth Atlantic, leaving the following.

[AllenK]

East Med: Searches Allied 3, Axis 5. Allies choose naval air and fly everything as bombers. Rolls of 4, 1, 6, 9 reduce bombs by 1 point. Allies use their 2 surprise points to increase damage to X, 2D. The Italian navy is cleared from the East Med.

[AllenK]

Bay of Bengal: Searches Allied 4, Axis 2. Both successful. Japs can use 2 surprise points to either increase Allied losses from A to 2A or reduce damage from D to A. The latter option I presume?