AAR - PBEM Game 2 (The FIRST public AAR)

[DoomedMantis]

How long does it take to make a turn? Just wondering due tho the 3 month turn, that means there is only a fairly limited game length. It also means that you really have to achieve a lot in the turns that you make. One major battle could really influence the game quite dramatically.

Im thinking in terms of game balance here

[paullus99]

Depends on how many units you are moving around - turns can take anywhere from 30min to a couple of hours (carefully considering where your units need to be, moving supply around if you are using advanced rules, etc).

I can usually get through a full game in 3 - 4 hours, but that's testing time....a full game, especially PBEM will probably take a few hours longer.

[bigbabyhead]

Japan is still focussing on Research and Building, along with strategic bombing of China.

Only force changes this turn involved sending out some fleets as escorts for my transports in the pacific, just so I don't have to do it later.

Since I don't have any pretty maps to show, here's a look at the outcome of one of my bombing sorties. (My bombers didn't do as well as I'd hoped)

[Pkunzipper]

Great turn for the German player!

1- Can you elaborate how combat routine works?
2- What is the difference between a normal unit and a damaged one?
3- Are players able to deploy their troops before German player start his first turn? It seems Allies player initial setting wasn't very good...
4- Does the German player keep a certain number of units on the Russian border in order to prevent Russia DoW him?

[Oleg Mastruko]

ORIGINAL: DoomedMantis

is there anything to stop Russia going on the offensive from the start?

Also why the 3 month turns? are they split into pulses?

Russia is frozen on start and may attack in Jan 43 unless attacked previously. Until Jan 43 or until attacked (whichever comes first) USSR can only do research and production.

Oleg

[paullus99]

ORIGINAL: Pkunzipper

Great turn for the German player!

1- Can you elaborate how combat routine works?
2- What is the difference between a normal unit and a damaged one?
3- Are players able to deploy their troops before German player start his first turn? It seems Allies player initial setting wasn't very good...
4- Does the German player keep a certain number of units on the Russian border in order to prevent Russia DoW him?

Thanks - I'm trying out some new strategies to put Germany ahead of the game, instead of behind the 8-ball.

1) Its a fairly simple combat routine, I will leave it to the others for a full explanation.

2) Normal units are what you see on the board - damaged units are sent back to the production quey & will be repaired in a season or two.

3) Deployment is set by the scenario - the allied player lacks infantry & armor at the beginning of 1940, but he has plenty of ships (opposite of my situation). I pulled Sealion at the only time I believe it would be practical (Summer 1940) before WA reinforcements start coming off the production line. He also sent several units to the Middle East in response to my aggressive action there.

4) I need to keep at least one unit in Konigsberg/East Prussia to keep the Russians at bay. I won't deal with them until I am absolutely prepared (supplies galore & plenty of infantry). Might make it a little dull for a Russia-only PBEM'er, but its suicide for Germany to attack before they are ready - as England can put some serious hurt on the German player if they are not prepared.

[elmo3]

ORIGINAL: paullus99

German Turn #2 - Summer 1940

SEALION is a success! Although not where it was expected. German Infantry, ably supported by the Heavy Air units of the Luftwaffe landed in Scotland & succeeded in capturing the territory.

That strikes me as unhistorical and very unlikely. Where was the RAF? Where was the Royal Navy? The Germans might have had some ME-110's that could reach Scotland as fighter cover but the RAF should have been able to overwhelm them. Without air cover and naval superiority that invasion should be doomed. Just my opinion as I know nothing about the mechanics of the game.

[MButtazoni]

Sea Lion was a success because i intended to pull my navy into the North Sea and forgot. I also moved my Artillery unit from Scotland to Iraq, which was intentional. Artillery units provide a coastal artillery function which would have stopped the GE Transports from landing troops.

[a19999577]

Two questions:

1.- Wouldn't it be possible to make 'Vichy' Indochina a garrisonless neutral territory after the fall of France, allowing for an easy Japanese occupation later on?

2.- There seems to be a 'belt' of neutral looking territories between northern and subsaharian Africa. Is movement forbidden between these areas? And if so, shouldn't Egypt-Sudan-Abyssinia be excepted?

[paullus99]

I saw a chance & took it - despite lack of ground units, England does have the entire Royal Navy and can place an inpenetrable field of heavy, light, & sub units around the British Isles.

I got lucky - I don't expect to have a chance to repeat the feat against an experienced player unless I can get the Italian Navy out of the Med (which is a challenge all its own).

[FirstPappy]

Wasn't Avalon Hill's Third Reich 3-month turns? That worked just fine.

[elmo3]

OK, thanks for the clarifications. I just hated the thought of the flow of all the good Scottish ale being cut off. Guess it could have been worse. The US might have invaded and replaced it with Bud and Coors Light. [X(]

[Hanal]

Yes Pappy, you are correct!..... and with area movement in this game, I do not see how you could effectively have it any other way....

[DerekP]

ORIGINAL: Pappy

Wasn't Avalon Hill's Third Reich 3-month turns? That worked just fine.

But that had fleet reaction rules. Seems a little silly "forgetting" to have the RN patrol the N Sea for three months![X(]

[paullus99]

Well, remember - this is only the Alpha.

[tiredoftryingnames]

Can you replace the 3d icons with standard counters?

[Becket]

Exciting!!! Sounds like leaving the isles with no sea protection early in the game is one of those classic blunders (of the sort I seem to be doomed to make in every game).

Can one of you give a bit of detail on how combat works?

[Becket]

ORIGINAL: paullus99
4) I need to keep at least one unit in Konigsberg/East Prussia to keep the Russians at bay. I won't deal with them until I am absolutely prepared (supplies galore & plenty of infantry). Might make it a little dull for a Russia-only PBEM'er, but its suicide for Germany to attack before they are ready - as England can put some serious hurt on the German player if they are not prepared.

That will be a very interesting part of this AAR if it goes that far....will the USSR be an unstoppable juggernaut if left alone til 1/43? Also, if Japan attacks the USSR, does that mean the USSR can attack Germany?

[paullus99]

Germany has enough sea transport for one good attempt at invasion (in the 1940 timeframe). I'm sure my fleet is about to be stomped good by the Royal Navy, but I believe the damage has been done.

Of course, in our first PBEM test, I left Italy wide open & my English friend took Rome almost right off the bat - not a good move on my part.

[Oleg Mastruko]

ORIGINAL: elmo3

ORIGINAL: paullus99

German Turn #2 - Summer 1940

SEALION is a success! Although not where it was expected. German Infantry, ably supported by the Heavy Air units of the Luftwaffe landed in Scotland & succeeded in capturing the territory.

That strikes me as unhistorical and very unlikely. Where was the RAF? Where was the Royal Navy? The Germans might have had some ME-110's that could reach Scotland as fighter cover but the RAF should have been able to overwhelm them. Without air cover and naval superiority that invasion should be doomed. Just my opinion as I know nothing about the mechanics of the game.

Thing to remember is also we play this without fog of war (besides usual "this is alpha version" disclaimers)

I guess when the game is out and in "properly" played PBEM games we'll all play with FOW on.

Oleg