Matrix Games Forums

Hi,

After unfortunately losing another opponent, due to real-life issues, I've decided to really give a H2H or Solitaire play a shot for my next game.

For those that do play this way, how do you avoid, or get around the fact, that you know where your other side is and doing? I know that it sounds like a stupid question since it's H2H, but how do you give yourself a good game?

Do you "script" your moves ahead of time, or use some other method?

Thanks...

I've never done it but if you write out a plan for the Japanese, for example, then wait a week and write out a plan for the allies, you should be good. Write it for about 2 or 3 months at a time....GP

d20.

Have several choices? make some odds for them and use a d20, d6, d4....(need to use those old DnD dice for something)

I like both ideas. Since if played the IJN for most of the last decade and a half with several opponents, i've got a pretty detailed plan for the IJN. GP, I like your idea that I should do the same with the Allies, and follow it. Maybe I'll add a rule that IF, and only IF, I get notification from INTEL or search that the IJN has been spotted, then ONLY then can I change orders.

Z, also like your idea. I've got the WiF Board Game so I could use the 20 roll die to decide on options.

Thanks for the feedback....
Dave...

Just try to give your best for each side, with decisions based on what is visible on the map and in the intel, not on what you know about the global situation and the orders you have given when playing the other side.

This of course demands mental discipline, honesty and moral restraint.

The hardest part is accepting "unfavourable results".

Some people openly favour one side and may "cheat" to obtain better results for their side - that is ok if you enjoy such a game and you are not hurting anyone.

Others try hard to be unbiased and balanced - only to face some battle result that is hard to accept, and they discover that they unconsciously favour the side who just lost the battle

Maybe h2h is best seen as a learning experience which allows to see how things turn out, to go back a save and change orders to see if things turn out differently, or to even avoid the situation entirely if the odds are not to your liking. Then continue with the result that suit you best.

It's all about the journey, isn't it?

I'm one of those lunatics that play H2H/Solitaire games quite often now.

I mean to me the war largely played out the way it did because the Allies developed an inkling of what the Japanese were going to do in the Coral Sea and Midway etc. So I usually rampage the same way the Japanese did until mid 42, and then since I've never been able to really duplicate the Battle of Midway, I just do a version of the Coral Sea, and then instead of Midway do an operation FS in late June with the KB attempting to attack and invade Luganville/Noumea etc. The result is often the same (with land based Marine airpower also attacking the KB from Luganville.) Although its funny, in my games I swear the carriers rarely get sunk outright, mostly heavily damaged. And from then its just a case of the Allies regaining conquered territories and driving up the South and Central Pacific as in real life.

It's still a challenge to go on the offensive as the Allies and its still a fun challenge to try to put up a stout defense as the Japanese. And I make no qualms about playing a little smarter with historical hindsight.

I still find it highly entertaining because I can see the battles play out the way I want them to. As LST said above, it takes some discipline and restraint. But it hasn't been a problem for me.

Thanks LST and Lopec for your thoughts as well.

With all the above notes, think i've got a good sense of what to do, but especially , what not to do.
Been playing the IJN for so long, it's going to be really weird to see things from the Allies perspective. In early days, I used to play as Allies (as most do) but once i got into the detail of the IJN and the need to control everything, I never went back.

This will be good for me...

Good Luck!!!

I have tried this with various games and could not overcome the issue you describe. That's me though ...

If you want a reliable PBEM partner I am really itching for another game or two.

Captain Cruft, Oddly enough, I've just gotten a new opponent. yes.. i real one, not a H2H one

Thank you very much for the offer though. Really appreciate it

Well,, back to H2H... Think I'm giving up on people opponents. Last 2 opponents lasted only 3 turns each. The good thing is they were kind enough to do it early, so not too much attachment to my virtual troops and ships.

If you ever find a reliable partner, don't lose them. I had one, and we had played two games (one till early 45, and the other till late '43), but I suffered WitP burnout, and decided to stop for awhile. Big mistake. I miss him and his playing ability.

Good news is that even though I'm a die-hard IJN player, starting to enjoy the Allies side, even though I'm still on Turn 1 setup. Very slow going as I don't know much about the Allied side so i'm reading and evaluating everything. Good thing about H2H is that I'm seeing both sides.

Wanted to re-thank everyone for their suggestions above. I'm using them in this H2H.

I can guarantee 100% reliability, except for unforeseen illness etc. Really itching to get another game going as my current one has become very slow.

Falken, Captain Cruft, I now pronounce you OPPONENTS. May you live long and win. ....GP

Falken, Captain Cruft, I now pronounce you OPPONENTS. May you live long and win. ....GP

Steady on

For H2H I like to use A LOT of 'HRs'.

I try to look at the map from each side and first ask:
1.What can Each side actually see? What can I react to? Really helps to understand how inaccurate sighting reports are, especially for IJN.

2. Limited use of 4e Bombers- No Naval or Land unit missions.
3. Nav Bomb only on disputed hexes. ie land units in combat. Keeps the air war livelier and reduces player fatigue from moving air units around every turn.

4. Mulligans - I will sometimes play a turn several times to test results. Really great way to "prove"
the consistency of the game engine. Then I run the turn with minimal losses to have big battles again
in a month or two. Really learned that 6 - 8 ships (x2, x3 TF) for SCTF is ideal.

Each player has his own style when it comes to H2H. For me you can get lost in all the air war detail
so I like to watch the clock and limit how much time I spend in getting the daily missions set up.

If I want to speed the game up I skip battling in the Aleutians.

Captain,, I've sent you a Private Msg...
Dave..

Falken wrote: Fri Jun 05, 2026 11:17 pm Captain,, I've sent you a Private Msg...
Dave..

Please consider AAR's!!!! We are sadly lacking in entertainment these days!!!

PaxMondo wrote: Sun Jun 07, 2026 2:49 am Please consider AAR's!!!! We are sadly lacking in entertainment these days!!!

I have just sent Turn 1 back.

Bottlenecks is really on a different level. Lots of work but I love it (so far).

Captain Cruft wrote: Sun Jun 07, 2026 2:08 pm

PaxMondo wrote: Sun Jun 07, 2026 2:49 am Please consider AAR's!!!! We are sadly lacking in entertainment these days!!!

I have just sent Turn 1 back.

Bottlenecks is really on a different level. Lots of work but I love it (so far).

HOORAY!!!


Awaiting your AAR!!!!