Matrix Games Forums

Just completed my second GW game, which was quite different than the first. The Allies did much better although in point total it wasn’t too much different than Game 1. They would have done better except for a terribly botched US invasion of Italy (perhaps the subject of another thread). A few key things I’ve come to realize:

· In 43 onward the allies need to coordinate their major offensives on preferably three fronts in Europe to force the axis to thin their lines. Two fronts arent enough.
· Invasions need to be carefully planned – the right units need to be in the right ports at the right time on the right ships. Have paras ready. You’ll need backup HQs especially if you don’t capture a port right away. Have shore bombardment ready. Transports and AMPHs seem to never be where you need them most.
· The US needs to be clear on its strategic objectives in the pacific and how to keep its supply lines open. An invasion of Japan is not necessarily required (or even warranted). In 44 -45 the allies will be hammering away with land combats in Europe using their Offensive Chits stocks but the risk is losing momentum in the pacific.
· US/ Russia: always purchase 1 or 2 offensive chits per turn 44 onward. Use them relentlessly with your best HQs to maximize spearheads, and CW/US should coordinate usage, But be careful! Too many gambles in land combat will dilute your fronts and leave you short of units on the front lines.

For the axis - japan really needs to assess its objectives in China. Going too hard risks isolation and annihilation but going on the defensive means a slow battle of attritIon you will eventually lose...

And perhaps mostly:
· Remember you don’t have to capture a country to get a point for its strategic location. If it’s neutral, you get a point if its closest to your capital. So take stock of this and also watch what you opponent is doing or not doing in this regard too. Understanding where the key strategic objectives are is key to winning the game.... !

Reading your post reminds me of how I most often feel in the game....Like the game is really more about planning and logistics than anything else. I find I need to plan 6 months (sometimes a year) out and get the right units / counters into the right areas so I can pull off operations...and this is often a struggle as forgetting something important (which I find easy to do) means the operation has much greater difficulty.

Poor long term planning and I seem to get body slammed in a most severe way ...love it.