Play Balance, Leningrad and Other Questions

[canuckgamer]

Playing my 3rd PBEM game of WAW, 2nd one as the Allies. China in all our games has been AI controlled. Would be interested in hearing from anyone as to whether they think the game is balanced. Also, how can the Russians hold Leningrad? The Germans in the last two games have taken it on one turn one by blitzing with 7 tanks and air units. My opponent tells me that the odds are higher than 75%. This game I did build a couple of infantry in Leningrad but doesn't seem to make much difference. What happens if the Allies invade Tunisia or Algeria after Vichy? What about taking northern, southern Persia, and Iraq. For the latter three what are the consequences to the Allies if any, of attacking them before the Yanks have entered? Finally, does anyone know when the final version of patch 1.087 will be released?

[JanSorensen]

Leningrad
As Russia I often bulild an AA + alot of MIL there from the start of the game. Usually thats plenty to deter a German opponent from taking it on during the first turn. Personally, I find its not worth it for the Germans anyway. They get better use of their panzers by driving deep in the south. So, yes, I think the Russians can hold Leningrad unless the Germans really wants it - in which case the Germans arent getting anywhere in the south.

Vichy
The other Vichy area become German controlled. Personally I do not find that to be a wise WA move. The only reason I see for unfreezing Vichy is because you take Southern France (and usually have control of the Med so the North African Inf cannot be used by the German player).

Iraq
The WA already controls Iraq so I am not sure I understand

Persia
It costs the WA 10 supply to attack a minor. Apart from that I do not see what you intend to gain from taking Persia as the WA - but you can.

[canuckgamer]

Thanks for the reply. The reason why I invaded Persia was because the German kept cutting off the Murmansk route and I couldn't get any supply to Russia. Against my opponent he has taken Leningrad the last two games without it seems impacting his ability to make huge advances in the south. Must be doing something wrong. Assuming that the Germans invade Russia in summer 1941 by my calculation, you can build 5 militia in Leningrad however I find that militia don't last long in any battles. So far from my experience it seems that the Axis have the advantage in this game. Maybe allowing the Chinese to be played by the WA player would help as so far we have let the Chinese be controlled by the AI.

[a511]

under normal SU41 barbarossa situation, it is difficult for the SU to defend a SINGLE target if the GER really wants to get and is willing to deploy 7 armors + air support to get it. i agree with Jan on the pt that under such all-out Leningrad attack, the GER arent getting anywhere in the south. if i m playing SU, i would to glad to see that.

but if u really feel bad about losing Leningrad everytime (believe me losing kiev and karnkov made u feel worse), imo, the militia + artillery combo may perform better than militia alone. of course u need to build some flak to protect ur artillary. while the combo may not be good enough to hold Leningrad under Ger's 7+ armors attack, ur artillery may at least made the Ger armors bleed more than the plain militia defence. as remember, artillery got 2 shots.

of course the success of the combo depends on how many artillery units are left after the GER air raid and coastal bombardments. but with a range of 3, unless GER builds a lot of H-bombers or tech up the stuka to range 3, with the stock fht, the flak unit(s) built and a little bit of luck, most of ur artillery units will still be there to counter the panzer rush.

good luck!

a511