Level +4 Panzers in November 1941

[ElvisJJonesRambo]

I got Panzers +4 coming at me in Russia in November 1941. When I saw them +3 at the foot of Pharaoh's Throne, I took off. This was an extreme first. Wanted to try this strategy myself, someone is doing it on me.

[sveint]

Your Soviets are dead, nothing can stop those panzers.

[vonRocko]

I just don't understand how people can get level 4 armor so early. I always put a maximum effort into armor research and never ever have got them that high so early. In fact, it sometimes takes a year to get one level. I only play against the AI, so maybe that has something to do with it.

[sveint]

Max armor and spying research from the get go

[amandkm]

Yeah, lot of people seem to forget about spying. Those research breakthroughs can make all the difference

[vonRocko]

I'll have to give that a try. Thanks

[Markiss]

And yet no one starts out at Spying and Intelligence 3, which is what would be required to create the effect you are describing. A player would not even see whose bonuses for over 2 years, while your S&I level slowly increased.

So, that would mean that a whole bunch of breakthroughs happened without the big bonus. All in one tech, and a critical one at that.
Anyone care to calculate the odds? How many tech breakthroughs of average size would it take to achieve Advanced Tanks 4 by November 1941, assuming S&I and AT were purchased at the earliest possible moments?

Just for a little windage, since an AT number that big is not usually seen for at least another year, that would mean that the player achieved about 100% extra bonus, yielding one extra level, being very generous. If the average breakthrough size is 15%, that would mean that about 7 breakthroughs, all in Advanced Tanks, would have been required over a little more than 2 years, roughly. And since you are not eligible even get a breakthrough until a tech is over 45%, that would mean that all those breakthroughs took place in a little over a years worth of turns.

Calculate the odds of that.

[jzardos]

Yeah, what he said. I think ElvisJJonesRambo just found out how somebody can cheat the game on you. You got taken for a fool it seems. Who are you playing, so I and others can avoid the piece of garbage.

[HamburgerMeat]

He is playing against me, and I did not cheat (Hubert is more than welcome to review every single turn).

Frankly, I find your bold accusation of cheating extremely rude. Perhaps you are the type of player others should avoid, eh?

In any event, I have posted my cookie cutter build on the "Axis MP Strategy Guide." Feel free to follow it and attempt to replicate my results.

[wie201]

OMG! With not one shred of evidence you want to blackball a player. This is a new game, and all sorts of things might be available COMPLETELY WITHIN THE RULES. Players try all sorts of things, and you don't accuse them of cheating. How realistic is it to have half the German Armour and over half its airforce in Egypt? Is that cheating? At a minimum, it is ridiculous. Good grief jzardos. Please treat fellow players with more respect unless you can back up accusations. We have all treated you, and rightly so, with all due respect. Please do the same. If someone is cheating, I will be the first to condemn same. But I stopped playing this (and War in Europe) without extensive house rules. Both players choice. We are a VERY small group. Let's try to keep it civil, in the interest of all of us.

[Markiss]

I pointed out that it was unlikely, not impossible inside of the rules.

I apologize for any offence caused.

Strange happenings do sometimes occur. Especially if things go a players way early.

This game has already been played many times, and the system for research is fairly simple. So when someone achieves a result that is uncommon, because everyone else buys AT research too( but does not achieve 4 by Nov 1941, it makes one wonder exactly what would have been required to get there. I am sorry if you took that curiosity for an accusation.

If you have found a better way, then so be it.

Sorry again.

[wie201]

Markiss, I understood your original meaning and intent. It is not my game. But being an old-time (VERY old time) gamer, the latter comment I originally found to be a little bit over the top. But I am sure jzardos meant no offense either, and I apologize for intervening. Tough few weeks for me. Newly minted grandfather to a beautiful grand-daughter and I, unfortunately, overreacted.

I apologize to both you and jzardos. You are both honorable and worthy opponents. Very sorry. Take care guys.

wie201

[HamburgerMeat]

Hey Markiss,

My response was directed at jzardos' accusation, not you. I'm sorry for any misunderstanding.

I haven't done too many runs, but by putting x2 chits into both AT and S&I, my AT level is usually around 3.5 by the end of 1941.

[ElvisJJonesRambo]

Just matter of time before someone tried this strategy. Wanted to do it myself. Yeah, Russia getting hammered. Moscow just fell. It happens. Game's not over. I tried a gambit in Western France but had to leave, when some stout troops came back. Hamburger Meat playing well, he's giving me the middle squeeze with some subs after cutting Suez and Japan has pounded China and joined the Russia party.

What's tough playing the Allies, is I've been playing many different opponents. If you're not focused with your A-game, and mixing up the games, not figuring out their strategy quickly hurts. I'm playing Firestone in a mirrored set, this guy plays about direct opposite, he's super agressive and has ignore many parts of the map. I'm off to a slow start in that one too. My record gonna hit the .500 level. Lots of players and fun to be had.

Sometimes if you pre-planned and your strategy "just happens" to match up well against your opponents, good things occur.

Maybe I can pull off a miracle