Strange German strategy(s) that worked and observations

[i486DX]

Dateline: Oahu, September 1953.

The brave American garrison was easily defeated by a marauding combine of the German Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarines. Although no formal surrender had been offered, it seemed pointless to continue to plot attacks against isolated islands and the Victoria redoubt. The war was over for all intents and purposes.

I have to say that the AI in this game plays really well but I've found a few weak spots that can be exploited. The game I am discussing was at normal difficulty level and I actually almost lost to the WA in late '45! I had no Auto Victory and No Time Limit set.

So here's my random list of stuff that worked....FWIW:

* German fighter speed: You must increase it early to get range on the UK. Without better speed (read: range), the Luftwaffe bombs England without air support and gets torn to pieces.

* Make it expensive for WA air: I loaded fighters and flak into France and the Netherlands and made it expensive to bomb me. Keep a flak or two and/or a fighter or two in Germany to fend off the strategic bombing.

* Create a fleet of HBs who's sole job each turn is to knock out WA transports. Fighters with increased range can help (see point 1).

* Sortie your German fleets and subs only where they can return to safe harbour or you're reasonably certain that WA forces can't get them on their turn.

* Make an effort to get troops down to North Africa to take Egypt even at the expense of a Yugoslav or Spanish incursion. Protect your Italian subs until you have Egypt, then send them rampaging into the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Lots of transport booty to be had, yar yar.

* Throw as many points into Tank research as possible. Yeah, like you didn't know that already [;)]

* You have to play military judo against the Russians since they will soon outnumber you. It's important that you attack them first as the German player. A good strategy is to go toe to toe in Eastern Poland with them and then use armor to exploit into their rear. Also, make sure you have a ton of armor in East Prussia so that you can exploit an infantry win into the Baltic States with an armor attack on Leningrad.

* Russians part 2: If you break through Leningrad, exploit like hell in subsequent turns into as many northern areas as possible. The AI will go nuts and try to counter by stripping the front and making a few overwhelming attacks against the salients. That's OK....everytime it does that, it exposes another group of forces to be slammed by the Germans.

* Russians part 3: At some point, you'll be in the position to surround Moscow. Do so, but make sure your forces are evenly divided in the surround as to not present too tempting of a counterattack target. On your next turn, attack with vigor into Moscow. Even if you lose, the AI will think twice about counterattacking out of the garrison.

* Russians part 4: If you've taken Moscow, then allow your existing forces to run across the frozen wastes and slowly break down the rest of the Soviets. No rush. Take your time. Put all new builds into defending against the WA.

* And as to the WA: They've probably invaded North Africa by now and are running around willy-nilly in NA and the Middle East. Fine. Let 'em. Just try to keep Egypt if you can. When the AI exposes transports in the Med, sink 'em. Keep Italy fairly well-guarded.

* WA part 2: At some point, the WA will invade Western France. Let 'em. Only keep the minimal air defences and some arty there. When they do invade, immediately pull back your forces from the rest of France and the Netherlands. The units in the Netherlands and Eastern France retreat into W. Germany, and the Southern French run into N. Italy.

* WA part 3: If you're lucky, the WA AI will split their forces in Western France and send almost equal forces to Eastern France and the Netherlands. Perhaps also a token force to take Southern France. Now ya got 'em [:)]. Slam into the Netherlands force with your W. Germany forces but leave as many armor untis out of the attack as possible. If you win, move the armor into Western France which the AI will usually leave unguarded. Meanwhile, attack Southern France from N.Italy. Again, military judo.

* WA part 4: If everything has worked to this point, the AI will freak and you're in the perfect position to annihilate the WA invasion force. If you've kept your air force up, after this time keep bombing them in the UK while slowly recovering NA and the Middle East.

Whew. I'm tired. Too much typing.

[JanSorensen]

The Allied AI does a decent job - but still has several weaknesses that a keen player can take advantage of to knock it senseless.

In particular its not nearly as agressive as a real player with the WA meaning you can get away with minimal garrisons while taking out Russia. This makes conquering Russia fairly easy as you can bring in more units than you otherwise would be able to. Further, its also very liberal with leaving transporters littered all over the Atlantic undefended for no reason at all making for easy runs for subs/raiders. Again, most human players would not do so (consistently). Finally, it does not really know how to defend Gibraltar/England.

Just to test it - I went all out against the WA with the AI on normal. By Fall 42 all of the UK and USA was in Axis hands and most of the Allied navy was destroyed. That was without carefull and optimal play even. You simply need to give the AI alot of help in game settings or its defenseless against a skilled human opponent.

[redhotheydrich]

it works great some german stratgies.like attacking moscow in 42 not 41.bye the way how much is this game.60 dollars.

[Joel Billings]

$39.95 US

[lkendter]

I suspect the real challenge will be PBEM and TCP/IP.

If the axis can get Spain and have a decent fleet in Gibalter and France, then the AI will let you bleed the transport fleet to death. I am trying no AV, no end-date and the transport bleed is the reason why I am making progress.

I know I am using tactics that would never survive human play.

[JanSorensen]

Did you try taking England in 41, Canada in late 41/early 42 and the entire US (using both Germany and Japan) is summer/fall 43?

Its fun to do once - just to see how the AI reacts to the unexpected.

[lkendter]

I may have to try that crazy nothern route.


I have see an AI lost reaction already. I watch the AI keep shuffling troops between Morroco and Algeria during the game. I eventually bombed them all out of existence. [:D]

[redhotheydrich]

attacking turkey all ways works after the battle for poland and before the battle for france.a a good stratagy for germany it will be.

[MikeB]

Early? when game came out....i obtained a copy from Electronic Boutique @ $39.95
CANADIAN $....so i must have got a bonus! as Canadian $ was worth about 70 cents of US $ at the time.

I have as yet seen no such deal on War in the Pacific

[Uncle Josef]

I've never really understood how he does it, but my friend Trotsky always seems able to launch Sealion three turns into the game AND pull it off...

No Britain that early in the game isn't good for WA...