WWII Board Game Discussion : Axis & Allies

[MontE]

I know there are some closet board gamers out there and I would like to draw them out for a review and discussion of several games. I will start with the Classic :Axis & Allies

Have you ever played? What are your likes dis-likes of the game? What is your best stratagy? Do you like the new revised edition over the origional?

[Otto]

The original version is unbalanced, but it is in my opinion far superior to any of the new commercial versions.

[MontE]

Originally Posted by Otto

The original version is unbalanced, but it is in my opinion far superior to any of the new commercial versions.

But have you had a chance to play the new revised Edition of the world game? They have added more territories, optional rules which include National specific advantages.

They have even given the Axis more money to play with to make the game more balanced.

The additional provinces on the Ost front allow more manouver and flanking opourtunity than the origional board where it was a straight up push forward/fall back game. Germany can have three army groups and transfer forces from one to the other in a more dynamic battle.

Also, Great Britain is given a more dynamic set up which allows them to be part of the pacific battle. India is no longer a push over but with a factory becomes a constant thorn in the side of the Japanese empire. GB starts as a real sea power being given a small Australian fleet AND the Far east battle fleet.

I love the origional but the new edition is a much better balanced game in my opinion.

[Slipdigit]

MontE, you should try Triple A, a electronic version of Axis and Allies.

TripleA - TripleA

[MontE]

Originally Posted by Slipdigit

MontE, you should try Triple A, a electronic version of Axis and Allies.

TripleA - TripleA

Thanks Slipdigit, I have trust me! But it's just not the same for me. There are much better computer games out there than A&A (Hearts of Iron) but it is the table talk and intrigue that I love best with Board games.

The Begging, the pleading the intimidation and all the emotions you can imagine in a sturgle for world domination all played out on your Dinning room table. I have played on-line simulations till my mouse finger hurt but nothing is quite like the nail biting and negotiation that goes with Invading Europe and looking your Human enemy in the Eye as you do it! Or to throw out the golden apple and watch your enemies squable amonst them selves over supplies and spoils while you plan an attack on India!

I appretiate the advice, but I have been there.

[Shockwavesoldier]

I have the pc version, not the clone version you can download but the real thing. It ok but not as good as the board game from what I hear.

[MontE]

Originally Posted by Shockwavesoldier

I have the pc version, not the clone version you can download but the real thing. It ok but not as good as the board game from what I hear.

Its very limited in what you can do and it has many glitches. The AI is very poor aswell. I have played it to death.

The board game makes the PC version look silly

[Jaeger]

I used to be an A&A buff. Both the original and revised are broken.

In the original the IMP (Infantry Push Mechanic) coupled with the Shuck shuck method breaks the game for the Allies.

In the revised game the 'panzer pipeline' (my name for it, used on the old forum of Don Rae (no longer exists)) plus the mini shuck-shuck breaks it.

However it is good fun to play it.

Using a bidding system on the original version, it can be more challengin, or the alternative rules that Don Rae designed. (most notably that the Infantry had 1/1 for attack and defence)

Yours Jaeger

[MontE]

Originally Posted by Jaeger

I used to be an A&A buff. Both the original and revised are broken.

In the original the IMP (Infantry Push Mechanic) coupled with the Shuck shuck method breaks the game for the Allies.

In the revised game the 'panzer pipeline' (my name for it, used on the old forum of Don Rae (no longer exists)) plus the mini shuck-shuck breaks it.

However it is good fun to play it.

Using a bidding system on the original version, it can be more challengin, or the alternative rules that Don Rae designed. (most notably that the Infantry had 1/1 for attack and defence)

Yours Jaeger

I agree the game has some issues regarding "stacks"

Can you go into more detail on the "bidding system", I am not familiar with that game play option?

[Jaeger]

The bidding system is simple. The players (for two players) bid IPC's to play the Axis. The one with the lowest bid gets to use those ipcs as he choose before the game begins.

[MontE]

Thanks Jaeger, I will give it a try next game. In regards to your above refernce to Don Rae's alternative rules...

For those of you that play: Do you use any expansion sets for this game? If so.. what are your favorite? ... where do you get them? .... Why would you recommend them?

[MontE]

Originally Posted by Slipdigit

MontE, you should try Triple A, a electronic version of Axis and Allies.

TripleA - TripleA

Thank you , Thank you! This is a great version of the game! I had the Axis & Allies PC game and it was lame... TripleA has many interesting mods to keep your interest even for hard core A&A veterans.

As the A&A discussion and interest is lacking here I will gladly get my fix with this game.

[Otto]

We actually have a few Rogues who play A&A, I'd play a lot more if I had some more time. My last game was actually against Peppy in July of last year! I'll be posting some after action notes and photos of the matches here shortly.

[MontE]

Originally Posted by Otto

We actually have a few Rogues who play A&A, I'd play a lot more if I had some more time. My last game was actually against Peppy in July of last year! I'll be posting some after action notes and photos of the matches here shortly.

Great! Glad to see some gamers comming out of the wood work. All feel welcome to post your AAR here... maybe it will stir up some discussion of the game.

Thanks Otto