How to balance 1939 PBEM

[PvtBenjamin]

I have been a huge fan of SC since its origin and looked forward to the Multiplayer games of this version. I have played all prior versions extensively. Unfortunately it is my experience (albeit limited vs AI in this version) is that the 1939 PBEM is grossly unbalanced favoring the Axis. I have received the same feedback from multiple people who are very experienced at this version.

If two experienced players of equal ability play PBEM 1939 the Axis easily wins by a large margin.

Following are some of my opinions on how 1939 could become more balanced and enjoyable.

1) Poland is far to weak. With a 5 str garrison in Warsaw Poland falls in 2 turns (Sept 15). This throws all historic events/reinforcements largely in the Axis favor. Axis is two turns ahead. There should be enough forces that the earliest victory in Oct 1. This leads to Holland/Belgium being attacked in fall 1939.

2) Holland needs an 8-10 str corps (currently 5 str leader) in Amsterdam.

3) If Luxembourg is attacked prior to 1940 Holland/Belgium declare war.

4) Africa is not defensible for Allies, falls in 1940 early 1941 latest. Axis shouldn't be able to put a large number of troops in Syria. This opens a two front war for the Allies. With the timeline (1) off there are no troops to defend Axis attack from Syria. The ramifications of Axis total control of Africa are obvious.

5) Garrison in Iceland.

6) Upon invasion most (if not all) Soviet reinforcements are wiped out in 2 turns. They are placed poorly (especially the air force), at least some of the reinforcements should survive.

I'm just looking for a good gaming/historic experience. Please let me know other peoples thoughts & experiences.

[Iñaki Harrizabalagatar]

I wonder, how do you send that large number of Axis troops to Syria?

[PvtBenjamin]

beats me

Last game in early 1940 my one Allied corps east of Red sea was attacked from Syria with 2 Italian armies, 3 corps, a tank a bomber and a leader. He also attacked with several troops from Libya and moved in German air because France had already fallen. I had 3 corps, 1 army, 1 leader and Navy in total. Can't provide help from Britain because you need maximum resources there in early 1940. I've raised the issue with the powers to be.

[BillRunacre]

How did the Axis get their hands on Syria?

[PvtBenjamin]

I dont know. Have only played Allied in MP. Several opponents have done it tho.

[PvtBenjamin]

Leadweight was last opponent. He should know.

[johanssb]

If the Axis player takes Algiers at the same time that Paris falls, and doesn't accept Vichy, then the Axis gets all of France and her colonies, which allows the transport of troops into Syria.

[Leadwieght]

Johan is correct. That's how you build a second front vs. Egypt.

[James Taylor]

I don't get how the Axis get by the French / UK fleet protecting Algiers?

[PvtBenjamin]

I didn't realize that Algiers had so much importance. I cant see the rationale that all other French territories would surrender.

You could put the entire French fleet around Algiers (vulnerable out of port), it is expandable. The Axis will have bombers in Sardinia and French will eventually lose but cause some damage.

With the UK in 1940 protecting GB, Iceland, convoys, Egypt and Malta etc you can't send much. Any British Navy losses are very hard to reinforce at this point, it is costly and you need to defend other areas with your points.

There is no practical way to prevent troop transports to Syria after French fall. You'd just waste your Navy.

Whats the penalty to Axis they don't accept Vichy?

[johanssb]

Many Allied players don't bother protecting Algiers.

[johanssb]

The penalty is that they have to conquer all of France, including Algeria. One way for the Axis player to make this easier is to time the fall of Paris and the fall of Algiers so they happen on the same turn. It is not too hard to counter.

[James Taylor]

I'm sorry, I'm having a tough time not seeing this(Algeria gambit)as anything but blatant Allied incompetence.

The Allies have 3 carriers and Cagliari(Axis airbase) is over 10 hexes from Algeria. They also have 3 subs and I'm sure I'd be pulling the BEF out of France and have them on transports(available for Algeria). UK has a strategic bomber that'll reduce any Axis supply sources in NA to nothing.

Ohhh, and I'm sure I'll be worrying about Sealion with Axis tied up conquering all of France and trying to take Algiers also.

I'm not saying it isn't possible as the Germans have plenty of extra forces, but what a battle it could be, seems like a risk they(Axis) don't need to take.

[Leadwieght]

Algiers gambit works if the Axis can lure the RN & Fr. Med fleet into the Atlantic. Like tempting them with the prospect of catching KM's surface fleet.

[PvtBenjamin]

No reason to be jerk James. Your strategy is actually idiotic. Sending significant British resources to Algiers (which you dont know will be attacked until Axis declines Vichy) opens you up to disaster in Britain/Egypt/etc. Send all French Navy , the Germans accept Vichy, and the entire French Navy is wasted.

As I've posted I'm very experienced at prior SC but new to this one. I didn't realize Algiers falling led to French total surrender. Still doesn't make sense that Algiers falling would trigger all other French surrendering.

[James Taylor]

With all due respect Private, no one said anything about ALL or landing the BEF in Algiers, having them on the water is the threat.

I usually send them to NA anyway, so they are on the way with the option to land in Algiers, if necessary.

How's the Axis going to know my intent. Where is the BEF?

I don't know if you know how to use the "cruise" feature, but you can send a lot of ships a long distance in one turn.[:'(]

Surely being a noted veteran of the SC series, you must know the "Cat and Mouse game"?[&:]

[James Taylor]

Oh yeah, has anyone seen the significant forces the French get in Algiers if "Vichy" is not accepted? Allied player can start immediate re-spawning of French ground forces there.

The Axis better get their timing perfectly, conquering both Paris and Algiers at the same time or its going to be game over!

Now whose forces are split up? Such a waste of the French Navy, winning the game![:-]

[PvtBenjamin]

Again, no reason to be a jerk.

You are over analyzing the situation.

Quite simply, positioning several French ships around Algiers will induce the Axis to accept Vichy. The French keep Navy if they don't, cost to high. British still lose Africa.

I still argue that Algiers surrender shouldn't lead to total surrender of the French.

My objective here is to make PBEM 1939 more balanced not get in a tit for tat with an egomaniacal blowhard.

[Sugar]

Cool down the pace for me, little honeys, you're dubbing it to fast for me:

actually the Axis don`t need to take the option to conquer whole France to get the option to invite spain into the axis, which is the strategical objective in this matter. They`ll get the plunder from Vichy to prepare Barbarossa, can take Tunesia and Malta if wanted, cool down the pace until the DAK arrives, then DoW Algeria.

At this point, the B.E.F. will be in NA, since it`s badly needed, and Algeria is defended only by a corps and a fighter. The paras with some Stukas will do the trick, they even don`t need to ship through the mediterranian sea.

[James Taylor]

Well Private, I guess that does it for any candid, boisterous discussion for when the name calling starts(jerk, egomaniacal blowhard) that pretty much undermines the objectivity.

I won't be baited again by your "Please let me know other peoples thoughts and experiences", understanding you don't want to hear opinions that are in conflict with your own. Sounds just like today's political arena?

Again, I'm sorry, but when I hear of this imbalance, especially for the Axis, my experience doesn't justify this conclusion. I've won once as Axis and once as Allies and also lost one of each side, but perhaps it was just my incompetence or my opponent's, who knows.

All I know is when your the Axis driving hard for USSR objectives in 1942 and the Allies do a D-Day it can sometimes lead to some "idiotic" conclusions about the balance of the game, my bad![8D]