Matrix Games Forums

Hi, I will be playing multiplayer campaigns. Playing as a German is no problem for me, but I'm worse defensively.
I have two questions, it would be nice if, apart from a simple answer, you could add something from yourself.

1. What is the best way to defend Allied convoys against submarines? Should we initially build a plane to retract submarines and add escort production?

2. Should we keep production points in the Soviet Union and after the invasion build a Soviet army for about 5,000 production points, or should we spend the points before the war on just infantry and two tank divisions? If I choose to produce an army after the invasion, my defense will be moved away from the border and when the Germans attack in March, he will have plenty of time to capture Moscow. The second option, however, does not allow me to spend extra time at the expense of lack of strong units.

3. What specialization for the Soviet infantry?

I will answer as I have time...but...

1. I do the following...Candians build one set of Merchants...Then just escorts until they are out of shipyards.
UK will build Merchants and escorts when they have time...
US build some Merchants and escorts.
As for hunting...it is all luck early. Playing a game now that the Detection air has hit subs 50% of the time...insane...and groups are getting hit almost every turn. Other games the Detection air hit nothing...subs appear to be invulnerable.
Some people build a Heavy Bomber with Detection...or maybe 2 as the UK to just attack subs, I don't...I will normally change my Close Support bombers to Detection for the range.
I use my Destroyers in the lanes to try to damage subs.
Sometimes I will put my CVs on the east coast of the UK and try to hit the subs in port depending on if they have air cover. You can get lucky from time to time doing that.

2. NEVER hold all your points. You need every unit ASAP...if you wait and build...you will likely have a decent army as the Germans reach Moscow but you will basically use up all your manpower and likely not be able to build another unit for a year.
As for best...that is a loaded question. There are many thoughts here and honestly, I am not the best USSR player. I still struggle a bit with them.

One thought is to build lots of small corps...so that you have lots of troops to slow and wear down the Germans as well as plug up holes.
Some build a few armor / mech to have for stronger defenses in localized areas.
I normally have 500 or so points at the start of the war and am able to build 2 or 3 armies to start...and 1 per turn after.

I will say if you do not put your defense on the border, if your opponent is a good German player you will lose 100% of the time.
A skilled German player will just decimate the Russians if they do not defend the border. They will move up...wait for some supply and not be worn and just tear through the weak units hiding in the back.
Plus you are stuck with all the garbage units that are supposed to wear down the German units as they advance, as well as you are not gaining experience for new units built. Those units are there to be killed...use them for that purpose.


3. Specialization...I put full into Assault, Heavy Armor and Inteceptors...recently I have put the rest into Anti-Tank and have been building armies with Anti-Tank. Though not sure if that will change much.

For Soviets, I build one headquarter early because it is needed in addition to the one coming December 1941.
And then, I buy anti-tank infantry corps each turn. 6 AAA for Leningrad and its ports. 6 AAA for Sebastopol.

That's all.

Once the invasion starts, I put everything to reinforcements. I don't buy any armies. I reinforce the infantry corps and the small armies that are converted from the infantry corps.

I apply this to slowdown the Germans:
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 7&t=390907

When the first winter in 1941 is stopping all offensive operations, I stop reinforcements and upgrades. I buy anti-tank infantry armies. In March 1941, I restart reinforcements and upgrades of the existing armies. I merge the small armies to full armies. I don't disband any infantry corps. They will be useful to slowdown the 1942 German offensive once again. Infantry corps are also a reserve of manpower. Don't waste them. Reinforcing infantry corps stores manpower.

No need to invest in Tank Corps or Mech Corps. Mech Corps, you have plenty. I usually disband two.

When the 1942 offensive starts, I continue to invest in reinforcements and upgrades of the existing armies. Don't forget to send PP from UK and from USA to the USSR. I buy anti-tank infantry armies only if I have enough PP. Otherwise, I just reinforce and repair.

Once the 1942 offensive is stopped, I stop reinforcements and upgrades once again. Then, I buy Tank Corps for 1943. And I buy Ground Strike planes for 1943.

What I like to have is:

• 10 Tank Corps

• 10 Mech Corps

• 6 Air Superiority planes

• 5 Ground Strike planes

• 5 Tactical planes

Ah yes, I am researching Escort Fighters for the Soviets. 6 Air Superiority planes with Escort Fighters can cover the whole Russian front without moving. As such, you are preserving their effectiveness.