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Im not lawyer but I am an unashamed AFb [:'(]

I am a lawyer but I'm not an AFB even though I've only played the Allied side. I'm just glad there's players who enjoy playing each side.

As for why I only play the Allied side, there are two fundamental reasons: (1) Most importantly, patience is something I can excercise, while a "ticking clock" - time turning against me, so that I have to keep to a tight schedule - would drive me nuts; and (2) The micromanagement of production isn't something I would enjoy.

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

I am a lawyer but I'm not an AFB even though I've only played the Allied side. I'm just glad there's players who enjoy playing each side.

As for why I only play the Allied side, there are two fundamental reasons: (1) Most importantly, patience is something I can excercise, while a "ticking clock" - time turning against me, so that I have to keep to a tight schedule - would drive me nuts; and (2) The micromanagement of production isn't something I would enjoy.

And either an early riser or an extreme night owl. Isn't it about 4:51AM where you live?

The economy is actually quite fun, and not as micro if you play Scen 2. The time issue is a real one. I feel it every turn right now. Ground must be gained. But that challenge is very interesting, and might be similar to a '44 Allied mentality in a Scen 2 game, even.

I've played both sides and if I had to choose, I would probably fall into the AFB side. I think Tracker was the only reason I got into playing Japan (plus the call to rescue John 3rd economy back in his epic struggle vs Canoerebel with Damian's help [:D]). I think any new game as Japan, which will be years away, will have me doing more to push the envelope further out. India and China have both almost been conquered, but I'm waiting for the AAR that shows how to conquer all of Australia. I have my own theory that I would want to try (using Scenario 2 of course [;)]).

I'm a JFB only because I love the economy side.  If the allied side had an economy, I would play it as well.

[:D]

ORIGINAL: rader

JFB personalities:

Sand castle builder. Likes to carve empires out of other people's posessions for the greater benefit of all [Japanese people]. Attracts engineers, architects, artists, and megalomaniacs.

AFB personalities:

Sand castle knocker-downer. Likes to tear appart empires to restore the status quo [to the Western Imperialists]. Attracts lawyers, demolision artists, repo men, and litterary critics.

(Just so people don't take offense, I'm not being serious [:'(])

I am an avowed AFB. Which interestingly enough stands for Allied Fan Boy on this forum and Axis Fan Boy on the Command Ops Battles from the Bulge forum (see my avatar and if curious the stickied AAR I wrote during beta testing).

I'm here to tell you that no architect in his right mind could ever be a JFB.

Architects build on SOLID foundations.

We don't design houses of cards!. [;)]

ORIGINAL: obvert
Why is it that the forum here is so divided between playing one side or the other? Many of the most knowledgable players on the forum have played both sides with success. If you want to really understand the game, it just makes sense.

Hiya obvert,

I'm not really sure that the division is as insurmountable as you suggest. The reason I have only played as the Japanese is because-after an abortive attempt playing as Allies against the AI-I only play PBEM. If you're going to only play PBEM, you will have comparatively few games under your belt, assuming that you have opponents that are well-selected and go deep into games with you. For myself, I can't imagine having completed more than 3 GCs before 2013 (seriously!). Thus, it's not an aversion to one side for the other, so much as a selective limitation in the number of iterations of the PBEM game experienced.

JFB = someone who enjoys a serious challenge

AFB = someone who wants to go into the game knowing they will win no matter what

I've played both sides and prefer Japan. Allies just seems like easy mode to me. [8D]

I noticed this divide even among middle school friends of mine playing Avalon Hill board games. The same guys tended to play the outnumbered aggressor nation (Napoleonic France, the Axis, the USSR, etc), while another group always tended to play the "winning" side (Great Britain, the Allies, etc). The hard thing was finding someone to play the Yankees in Civil War games. We had to offer free soda, food, etc. Finally I just used force to make my little brother do it. [:D]

I think the "underdog" players mostly like the challenge and imagine that as Napoleon they could have pulled it off.

ORIGINAL: obvert

Having been around this forum for almost two years, I'm still a bit perplexed why there IS such a divide between the JFB and the AFB.

I don't think there really is such a divide. Only among a few people, and they are together in being so divided. Now that I've cleared that up...

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I've played both sides and if I had to choose, I would probably fall into the AFB side. I think Tracker was the only reason I got into playing Japan (plus the call to rescue John 3rd economy back in his epic struggle vs Canoerebel with Damian's help [:D]). I think any new game as Japan, which will be years away, will have me doing more to push the envelope further out. India and China have both almost been conquered, but I'm waiting for the AAR that shows how to conquer all of Australia. I have my own theory that I would want to try (using Scenario 2 of course [;)]).

Those were the days. Calling for immediate assistance from this guy I barely knew living in Tennessee! Dan was lucky there. Operation Downfall NEARLY worked! Who, but an unrepentant JFB, would actually launch an amphibious invasion of India in 1945 with 500,000+ Troops??!! Darn near worked.

I was let down by the AI, the weather, climate change, the Democrats, and the Kansas City Royals who haven't known how to play baseball since George Brett retired.

The RANT above also is a JFB Trait. it couldn't be the FACT that the Japanese are doomed to lose. Heck NO: WE CAN STILL WIN!

Right???

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I've played both sides and if I had to choose, I would probably fall into the AFB side. I think Tracker was the only reason I got into playing Japan (plus the call to rescue John 3rd economy back in his epic struggle vs Canoerebel with Damian's help [:D]). I think any new game as Japan, which will be years away, will have me doing more to push the envelope further out. India and China have both almost been conquered, but I'm waiting for the AAR that shows how to conquer all of Australia. I have my own theory that I would want to try (using Scenario 2 of course [;)]).

Those were the days. Calling for immediate assistance from this guy I barely knew living in Tennessee! Dan was lucky there. Operation Downfall NEARLY worked! Who, but an unrepentant JFB, would actually launch an amphibious invasion of India in 1945 with 500,000+ Troops??!! Darn near worked.

I was let down by the AI, the weather, climate change, the Democrats, and the Kansas City Royals who haven't known how to play baseball since George Brett retired.

The RANT above also is a JFB Trait. it couldn't be the FACT that the Japanese are doomed to lose. Heck NO: WE CAN STILL WIN!

Right???

Well we may not win, but we sure will make the AFBs work for it, won't we? [;)]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
The RANT above also is a JFB Trait. it couldn't be the FACT that the Japanese are doomed to lose. Heck NO: WE CAN STILL WIN!

Right???

Obviously sir.......you have never experienced the Rantific beauty that is the player two "This Pearl Harbor attack BLOWS! I lost more than 2 BBs!!!!!" thread. [;)]

And no Player one can win........EVER.....with me at the helm of the economy. (what does this button do? oooooo expand factory!!!!)

...but I REALLY wanted to build 5000 USELESS engines no human being ever wanted! (Followed by an immediate phone call to Tennessee: "Ahhhhh...Michael...how do you FIX...) [&o]

OMG...you sunk 3 BBs at PH! That is WRONG! I only get about a gadzillion more to pulverize you with...I may cry...I might quit...this game is BROKEN...

OK. Nik is right about rants working BOTH sides.

Come on now. Who are we kidding? All Japanese Fanboys are closet masochists. You know the type. "Whip me, beat me, make me use Nates." [:D]

Actually I think the best Japanese players are highly organized and detail orientated. It is a must becase the Japanese side just does not allow room for any major mistakes.

That said, I love to play the Allies. However, for me the best and most exciting time to play the Allies is 1942 versus a crack Japanese player. Believe me, it is not easy and requires some damn good play. After 42, it is still fun but I don't lay awake a night worrying about my next move anymore.

"Whip me, beat me, make me use Nates."

Fantastic! [:D]

ORIGINAL: USS America

"Whip me, beat me, make me use Nates."

Fantastic! [:D]

Shhhhhh...Nates are a SECRET weapon in 1945...

Characterizing AFBs as liking easy mode while JFBs as liking a challenge is rather simplistic at best.

One of the beauties of depictions of the course of WWII or plausible alternatives is the "turning of the tide".

The early game equals easy mode for the Axis (hold all the cards, has overwhelming superiority, easily dictates the course of the game) and hard mode for the Allies (starts unprepared, caught off balance, scrambles just to hold onto to anything) and after the "turning of the tide" the late game equals easy mode for the Allies (holds all the cards, has overwhelmimg superiority, easily dictates the course of the game) and hard mode for the Axis (somehow manages to become unprepared, caught off balance, scrambles just to hold onto anything).........



I spent the early years of my wargaming playing French/Russian or Brit/US in three way games of Third Reich, not because I have any great love for playing Allies, but because my particular talent lies in defending and counterpunching.

Most games when I took Germany/Italy the game went down the tubes early because I just wanted talented at dictating the course of events as the early agressor.

However, the reverse was just as true for my buddy who regularly took the Axis. Games where he took an Allied side usually went down the tubes early beacuse his natural flair for the attack, left him in the position of being a dsmal defender/counterattacker.

Preferences for sides are often dictated by virtue of where one's talents reside.

3R was a fine game. IS I suppose if there are people that still play it. In general I don't like playing the Axis, just because they're Axis, but wind up playing them about half the time, because someone has to do it.