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Yes indeed. 1942 presents its own challenges for sure. But, I have played one previous game against the AI, and, based on that limited experience, I believe that the worst is over. The hard part of the Grand Campaign 1941 scenario for the Axis player vs the AI is definitely the First Winter of the scenario.

I'm keeping my Siege Mortars in safe places for now, because I'll need them to take Sevastopol at some future point in the game.

Thanks for your help. I think that this thread will help new Axis players to defeat the AI.

I am using the Air Assistant feature because it's just too time consuming otherwise. I am in control of my own Depot and Logistics network, because the AI can't do it as well as a human.

I have some important advice for new Axis players trying to beat the Soviet AI. First, you'll need Construction Battalion SUs in your Army and/or Corps HQs for the First Winter. They help build Fort Levels. Pioneer units obviously help build Fort Levels, but, what is less apparent to many is that these Construction SUs help, so, put them all in your Corp and Army HQs instead of using them all to repair Railyards.

Second, note that any Army that you have set to Assault will absolutely NOT build up a Fort Level more than Fort Level 1. The Soviet First Winter Offensive will break most defense lines consisting of mostly Level 1 Forts. If you remove Assault status from all of your Armies, you'll be free to build up a front line consisting of mostly Level 2 and 3 Forts, which is the best way to survive the First Winter.

Champagne wrote: Thu May 30, 2024 2:17 pm Second, note that any Army that you have set to Assault will absolutely NOT build up a Fort Level more than Fort Level 1. The Soviet First Winter Offensive will break most defense lines consisting of mostly Level 1 Forts. If you remove Assault status from all of your Armies, you'll be free to build up a front line consisting of mostly Level 2 and 3 Forts, which is the best way to survive the First Winter.

Just be aware if you do that, you have to expend APs to create fresh Assault HQs. Also, despite what some versions of the manual say, your Assault HQ limit in 1942 is 3. So removing even one HQ from assault status means you can never get that back again.

M60A3TTS wrote: Thu May 30, 2024 6:12 pm

Champagne wrote: Thu May 30, 2024 2:17 pm Second, note that any Army that you have set to Assault will absolutely NOT build up a Fort Level more than Fort Level 1. The Soviet First Winter Offensive will break most defense lines consisting of mostly Level 1 Forts. If you remove Assault status from all of your Armies, you'll be free to build up a front line consisting of mostly Level 2 and 3 Forts, which is the best way to survive the First Winter.

Just be aware if you do that, you have to expend APs to create fresh Assault HQs. Also, despite what some versions of the manual say, your Assault HQ limit in 1942 is 3. So removing even one HQ from assault status means you can never get that back again.

It's a fair trade-off, IMHO, because when an Army defends a front with only Level 1 Forts, it can't hold back the First Winter Soviet Offensive. But, I do understand why you would disagree.

One important reminder for Newbies - check the Commanders Report every turn and punch the "Transfer" button in order to bring the new SUs that appear every turn onto the Map. If you don't, they will just accumulate off Map, instead of augmenting your fighting forces.

To retain 4 Assault Armies in 1942 I always cheeese the system, by removing the Assault status from all Armies (so that everyone can build level 3 fortifications by November) and then re-assigning 4 Armies as Assault ones on T28 (December 28th). By that time, I hope to have as many level 3 forts so that I don't care about the malus of Assault Armies on forts. Sure, I need to spend 40 AP but that's not a big deal for me.

In games against the AI on Normal setting, the Axis player probably doesn't have to use all of the nuanced techniques available to gain an edge on the opponent.

Against a Human Soviet who is good at his craft? Axis will need every trick in the book.