Catacol Highlander

It was more a product of the Nazi regime's paranoia with regards to popularity. The Guns vs Butter debate that surrounded the 4 year plan nearly tore the regime apart: Schacht resigned in 1937 because he said that the regime could not fulfil consumerism and war preparation at the same time as the balance of payments crisis would only worsen... and he was proved right. The fact that Hitler appointed Goring instead to oversea economic preparations for war showed just how far removed from reality Hitler was in all this. Goring's appointment to the four year plan probably did as much to assure allied victory, in hindsight, as lend lease did!! But it wasnt the result of over confidence - far from it. Hitler panicked just prior to the Anschluss, so worried was he over popularity and possible resistance. He was unhappy and nervous at the preparations for the invasion of France. There was nothing in his demeanour that screamed confidence at all.... but he was still unprepared to through the full weight of German industry behind the war precisely because of his ongoing fears with regards to the regime's grassroots image. Goring popped up and promised successful autarky as well as consumerism. Hitler went with the promise because it played to both his fears and his ambitions - and the rest is history.

and 25th May gameplay grid:

Scoreboard 25th May:

OK - update on 25th May. Congratulations to Isnogud who appears to be pulling away... can anyone beat him? Matches in play as of 25 May 2014 Catacol (axis) vs Isnogud (allies) Amadeus (axis) vs gkizziah (allies) PGTomli (axis) vs Catacol (allies) Catacol (axis) vs Steel32 (allies) Lofty12 (axis) vs Tmanusa (allies) Fritz (axis) vs PGTomli (allies) Catacol (axis) vs Pacestick (allies) Dalibor (axis) vs 4th Bn 66th Reg (allies) Baron (axis) vs Lofty12 (allies) Mark (axis) vs Baron (allies) Ludi1867 (axis) vs Mark (allies) Steelman (axis) vs Clausewitz (allies) Mark (axis) vs Fritz (allies) Amadeus (axis) vs Pacestick (allies) Amadeus (axis) vs Strategiclayabout (allies) Ludi 1867 (axis) vs Dalibor (allies) Amadeus (axis) vs Luke (allies) Clausewitz (axis) vs 4th Bn 66th Reg (allies) Strategiclayabout (axis) vs Calculon (allies) Results Strategiclayabout (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Amadeus (allies) in June 1941. PGtomli (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Baron (axis) in December 1940. Amona (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Lofty12 (allies) in June 1942. Isnogud (axis) scored a 2 point victory over The Great Santini (allies) in August 1942. Clausewitz (axis) scored a 1 point victory over Amona (allies) in May 1947. PGtomli (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Strategiclayabout (allies) in August 1941. Isnogud (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Ludi1867 (allies) in February 1943. Clausewitz (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Ludi1867 (axis) in 1946. Isnogud (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Lofty12 (axis) in February 1942. Steel32 (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Lofty12 (allies) in March 1943. Strategiclayabout (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Pacestick (axis) in July 1943. Clausewitz (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Tmanusa (axis) in 1944. Catacol (allies) scored a 1 point victory over Amona (axis) in July 1945. Isnogud (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Strategiclayabout (axis) in June 1942 PGTomli (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Ludi1867 (axis) in August 1941. Baron (allies) scored a 2 point victory over The Great Santini (axis) Amadeus (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Amona (allies) in July 1943. Fritz (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Calculon (allies) in February 1943. Clausewitz (axis) scored a 2 point victory over The Great Santini (allies) in 1944. Strategiclayabout (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Clausewitz (axis) in March 1942. Amadeus (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Calculon (axis) Dalibor (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Luke (axis) in January 1942. Amadeus (axis) scored a 1 point victory over Clausewitz (allies) Tmanusa (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Calculon (allies) in April 1943. Strategiclayabout (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Luke (allies) in April 1942. Ludi1867 (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Lofty12 (axis) in 1942 Amadeus (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Baron (axis) Ludi1867 (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Baron (allies) Isnogud (axis) scored a 2 point win over Strategiclayabout (allies) in November 1943 Fritz (axis) scored a 2 point win over Jollyguy (allies) Pacestick (axis) scored a 2 point win over gkizziah (allies) Dalibor (axis) scored a 2 point win over Luke (allies) in 1947 Clausewitz (axis) scored a 2 point win over Amadeus (allies) gkizziah (axis) scored a 2 point win over Jollyguy (allies) Amadeus (axis) scored a 2 point win over Ludi1867 (allies) Catacol (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Clausewitz (axis) in July 1946 Luke (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Calculon (allies) in 1943 4th Bn 66th Reg (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Calculon (axis) Isnogud (axis) scored a 2 point victory over 4th Bn 66th Reg (allies)

The very good weather in that area is a thread I have started over on the beta forum. I too think it is wrong - and allows Germany too easy an access through to Rostov...

... and the overall spread of matches:

And the crucial scoreboard - Isnogud still on top:

Matches in play as of 12 May 2014 Catacol (axis) vs Isnogud (allies) Amadeus (axis) vs gkizziah (allies) Clausewitz (axis) vs Catacol (allies) PGTomli (axis) vs Catacol (allies) Catacol (axis) vs Steel32 (allies) Lofty12 (axis) vs Tmanusa (allies) Fritz (axis) vs PGTomli (allies) gkizziah (axis) vs Jollyguy (allies) Catacol (axis) vs Pacestick (allies) Dalibor (axis) vs 4th Bn 66th Reg (allies) Calculon (axis) vs 4th Bn 66th Reg (allies) Isnogud (axis) vs 4th Bn 66th Reg (allies) Luke (axis) vs Calculon (allies) Amadeus (axis) vs Ludi1867 (allies) Baron (axis) vs Lofty12 (allies) Mark (axis) vs Baron (allies) Ludi1867 (axis) vs Mark (allies) Steelman (axis) vs Clausewitz (allies) Mark (axis) vs Fritz (allies) Results Strategiclayabout (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Amadeus (allies) in June 1941. PGtomli (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Baron (axis) in December 1940. Amona (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Lofty12 (allies) in June 1942. Isnogud (axis) scored a 2 point victory over The Great Santini (allies) in August 1942. Clausewitz (axis) scored a 1 point victory over Amona (allies) in May 1947. PGtomli (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Strategiclayabout (allies) in August 1941. Isnogud (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Ludi1867 (allies) in February 1943. Clausewitz (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Ludi1867 (axis) in 1946. Isnogud (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Lofty12 (axis) in February 1942. Steel32 (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Lofty12 (allies) in March 1943. Strategiclayabout (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Pacestick (axis) in July 1943. Clausewitz (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Tmanusa (axis) in 1944. Catacol (allies) scored a 1 point victory over Amona (axis) in July 1945. Isnogud (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Strategiclayabout (axis) in June 1942 PGTomli (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Ludi1867 (axis) in August 1941. Baron (allies) scored a 2 point victory over The Great Santini (axis) Amadeus (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Amona (allies) in July 1943. Fritz (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Calculon (allies) in February 1943. Clausewitz (axis) scored a 2 point victory over The Great Santini (allies) in 1944. Strategiclayabout (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Clausewitz (axis) in March 1942. Amadeus (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Calculon (axis) Dalibor (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Luke (axis) in January 1942. Amadeus (axis) scored a 1 point victory over Clausewitz (allies) Tmanusa (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Calculon (allies) in April 1943. Strategiclayabout (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Luke (allies) in April 1942. Ludi1867 (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Lofty12 (axis) in 1942 Amadeus (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Baron (axis) Ludi1867 (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Baron (allies) Isnogud (axis) scored a 2 point win over Strategiclayabout (allies) in November 1943 Fritz (axis) scored a 2 point win over Jollyguy (allies) Pacestick (axis) scored a 2 point win over gkizziah (allies) Dalibor (axis) scored a 2 point win over Luke (allies) Clausewitz (axis) scored a 2 point win over Amadeus (allies)

Be aware that there is a bug with the saves in 2 player TCP wego. Once you try to reload your save, you will find that the clocks become unsynced and the game crashes. Thread started over on the tech forum, and BF have managed to repeat the bug at their end. I'm hopeful this means it will be fixed soon - if more people shout about it, then it might get done! Until then 2 player TCP wego is not workable.

There is, however, the A-Bomb event in 1945 which is tied in to the capture of one or more of the island bases that were historically in range of Japan. That A-Bomb moment can be the end of Japan if planned for correctly.

Twofold: tie up some German forces elsewhere: in Africa, or even by a strong defence on France in 1940 to slow up 1941 preparations. Another sneaky one is for the UK to invade Norway in early 40 - quite easy to do and a distraction for Germany. Then in Russia I prefer to fall back. If you defend at the border your forces are likely to be wiped out and then the rebuild operation in winter 1941 becomes almost impossible. If you fall below 30 in the unit charts then I think you are doomed. If you can keep that chart above 40 you are in decent shape. Most axis players attack the caucasus because at present there is a bit of a weather bug that allows almost permanently good weather in the south. Plus once the rail line is cut east of Rostov Russia loses quite a few mpps. I think Leningrad is almost irrelevant to the axis in 1941 though some clever Russia players will attack Finland from there and so the axis might want to ensure the survival of their northern ally. It was a good tactic to do that in Gold, but I'm less certain now because it requires some Russian armour, and it allows the Wehrmacht to roll fast through to Kharkov, Smolensk and possibly on towards Moscow as well rather more easily than is ideal. However I have seen it done by Russia to good effect so worth considering as a Russian option. For tech I always prioritise industry and armour early on - you want level 3 tanks in 1942 to slow down the panzers, and level 3 industry by then too in order to keep the mpps up. Infantry weapons are also important - need to get to level 2 by Barbarossa. After that artillery and shell production for me with a bit of AA, with fighters coming in around 1943 - to be honest I dont see the point of trying to counter the Luftwaffe in 41/42 cos the effort to try and do so is too detrimental to ground development. Ground air as a final investment once the tide turns... I tend to use engineers around Rostov to try and preserve the caucasus, though axis artillery tends to render it a futile operation if the axis player is determined to advance there. Important to garrison the siberian cities with corps. Long term you need a way into China from Russia if you are to maximise your chances of taking Seoul. It can be done by massive sea assault, but if the IJN happen to win the war at sea then you are in trouble if you have also lost all those cities. I often fortify around one or more of them if possible after putting down one fort near Rostov. However - again - if the axis player is determined to take them then there is probably little you can do. It is possible to ferry troops into the Caucasus from east of the Caspian as there is a supply centre there - I have done it to decent effect as German supply is poor to the SE of Rostov and the mountains can be held. Always attack Persia with a single tank unit in good weather. Turn 1 takes it to the capital where you will destroy the garrison. Turn 2 takes the capital. Easy to do with a light tank unit. I dont do Iran.. but interesting idea if you can spare the resources. Finally - a good axis player will always put you in trouble. Russia will be pinned back to Stalingrad and maybe beyond. (Be careful not to lose your convoy supply routes at Murmansk and Archangel!!) A good axis player may even be able to take Africa too, thereby cementing Italy's position. And a good axis player will take all the pacific islands, possibly Hawai too, and advance towards India, Australia or in one game I am playing both! I think to go for India and Australia spreads the Jap Army too thin - but that's just my feeling. The question then is - how to combat this? 1. Early invasion of France with US armour at level 3 or 4. This can be a real killer for Germany, and often France is not that well defended in 42 or 43. 2. If you are in the ladder play for the 1 point win. That means holding on for dear life in Burma and SW China so that Chungking is in range of a ground assault, and then all you really need to do is plan for the retaking of Paris and Moscow - both of which are possible with overwhelming allied air power becoming a reality in 1944 and after. But even then you may be in an impossible position if German and Japanese NM gets much above 110 each. My feeling is that a good axis player will tend to win most games because he/she will maximise the opportunities in 1939-42.

... and gameplay grid as of 18 April also:

Scoreboard as of 18 April:

Matches in play as of 18 April 2014 Catacol (axis) vs Isnogud (allies) Amadeus (axis) vs gkizziah (allies) Clausewitz (axis) vs Catacol (allies) PGTomli (axis) vs Catacol (allies) Catacol (axis) vs Steel32 (allies) Lofty12 (axis) vs Tmanusa (allies) Pacestick (axis) vs gkizziah (allies) Fritz (axis) vs PGTomli (allies) gkizziah (axis) vs Jollyguy (allies) Catacol (axis) vs Pacestick (allies) Fritz (allies) vs Jollyguy (allies) Dalibor (axis) vs 4th Bn 66th Reg (allies) Clausewitz (axis) vs Amadeus (allies) Dalibor (axis) vs Luke (allies) Calculon (axis) vs 4th Bn 66th Reg (allies) Isnogud (axis) vs Strategiclayabout (allies) Isnogud (axis) vs 4th Bn 66th Reg (allies) Luke (axis) vs Calculon (allies) Amadeus (axis) vs Ludi1867 (allies) Baron (axis) vs Lofty12 (allies) Results Strategiclayabout (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Amadeus (allies) in June 1941. PGtomli (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Baron (axis) in December 1940. Amona (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Lofty12 (allies) in June 1942. Isnogud (axis) scored a 2 point victory over The Great Santini (allies) in August 1942. Clausewitz (axis) scored a 1 point victory over Amona (allies) in May 1947. PGtomli (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Strategiclayabout (allies) in August 1941. Isnogud (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Ludi1867 (allies) in February 1943. Clausewitz (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Ludi1867 (axis) in 1946. Isnogud (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Lofty12 (axis) in February 1942. Steel32 (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Lofty12 (allies) in March 1943. Strategiclayabout (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Pacestick (axis) in July 1943. Clausewitz (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Tmanusa (axis) in 1944. Catacol (allies) scored a 1 point victory over Amona (axis) in July 1945. Isnogud (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Strategiclayabout (axis) in June 1942 PGTomli (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Ludi1867 (axis) in August 1941. Baron (allies) scored a 2 point victory over The Great Santini (axis) Amadeus (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Amona (allies) in July 1943. Fritz (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Calculon (allies) in February 1943. Clausewitz (axis) scored a 2 point victory over The Great Santini (allies) in 1944. Strategiclayabout (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Clausewitz (axis) in March 1942. Amadeus (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Calculon (axis) Dalibor (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Luke (axis) in January 1942. Amadeus (axis) scored a 1 point victory over Clausewitz (allies) Tmanusa (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Calculon (allies) in April 1943. Strategiclayabout (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Luke (allies) in April 1942. Ludi1867 (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Lofty12 (axis) in 1942 Amadeus (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Baron (axis) Ludi1867 (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Baron (allies)

It's an interesting discussion - agreed. Diplomacy can be the big game changer as it is all down to chance... I wonder whether the system could be overhauled and made to work like tech. I think it is difficult investing diplo chits on a cancel out basis - especially so for the axis from mid game onwards because they will always be outbid by the allies. Why not create a function where a chit invested creates a "hit" % like tech that once it is up over 40 has a chance of clicking and by the time it gets to 99 it will definitely click. Both sides could invest in the US - but both sides would be guaranteed some kind of activation swing in the long term in return for their investment. Currently diplo is only used sparingly early game - and yet it could add a lot to later game situations if countries like Sweden or Spain or Greece etc were brought in by a guaranteed return for investment rather than the aggregate % investment method currently on offer with never a guarantee of a return. Also - by putting a baseline % level that has to be reached before a diplo chit can click it will stop any dodgy players from doing a massive investment in mid 1940 and then replaying the turn over and over until they get the big hit that tips Spain or wherever their way. I am sure this has been done - unfortunately - and there is something slightly wrong with the concept that a diplomatic campaign against a country could produce a major swing instantly anyway. A bit radical, but maybe worth a think...

Game Grid as of 3rd April:

Scoreboard as of 3rd April:

Ladder update 3rd April: Matches in play as of 3 April 2014 Catacol (axis) vs Isnogud (allies) Amadeus (axis) vs gkizziah (allies) Clausewitz (axis) vs Catacol (allies) Baron (axis) vs Amadeus (allies) PGTomli (axis) vs Catacol (allies) Lofty12 (axis) vs Ludi1867 (allies) Catacol (axis) vs Steel32 (allies) Lofty12 (axis) vs Tmanusa (allies) Pacestick (axis) vs gkizziah (allies) Fritz (axis) vs PGTomli (allies) Ludi1867 (axis) vs Baron (allies) gkizziah (axis) vs Jollyguy (allies) Catacol (axis) vs Pacestick (allies) Fritz (allies) vs Jollyguy (allies) Dalibor (axis) vs 4th Bn 66th Reg (allies) Clausewitz (axis) vs Amadeus (allies) Dalibor (axis) vs Luke (allies) Calculon (axis) vs 4th Bn 66th Reg (allies) Isnogud (axis) vs Strategiclayabout (allies) Isnogud (axis) vs 4th Bn 66th Reg (allies) Luke (axis) vs Calculon (allies) Results Strategiclayabout (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Amadeus (allies) in June 1941. PGtomli (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Baron (axis) in December 1940. Amona (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Lofty12 (allies) in June 1942. Isnogud (axis) scored a 2 point victory over The Great Santini (allies) in August 1942. Clausewitz (axis) scored a 1 point victory over Amona (allies) in May 1947. PGtomli (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Strategiclayabout (allies) in August 1941. Isnogud (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Ludi1867 (allies) in February 1943. Clausewitz (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Ludi1867 (axis) in 1946. Isnogud (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Lofty12 (axis) in February 1942. Steel32 (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Lofty12 (allies) in March 1943. Strategiclayabout (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Pacestick (axis) in July 1943. Clausewitz (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Tmanusa (axis) in 1944. Catacol (allies) scored a 1 point victory over Amona (axis) in July 1945. Isnogud (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Strategiclayabout (axis) in June 1942 PGTomli (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Ludi1867 (axis) in August 1941. Baron (allies) scored a 2 point victory over The Great Santini (axis) Amadeus (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Amona (allies) in July 1943. Fritz (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Calculon (allies) in February 1943. Clausewitz (axis) scored a 2 point victory over The Great Santini (allies) in 1944. Strategiclayabout (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Clausewitz (axis) in March 1942. Amadeus (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Calculon (axis) Dalibor (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Luke (axis) in January 1942. Amadeus (axis) scored a 1 point victory over Clausewitz (allies) Tmanusa (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Calculon (allies) in April 1943. Strategiclayabout (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Luke (allies) in April 1942.

I wouldnt worry too much. If the axis player has invested 600 or more mpps in diplomacy then yes: the USA will probably not enter until spring 1942 but your Red Army will have an easier time of it. This will especially be the case if the axis is pushing hard in Africa. If not, then put the UK onto the offensive in Africa and be prepared to fall a long way back in Russia. I dont think it is quite the game changer you put it as unless the axis has invested only one or two chits (up to 300mpps) and got very lucky. Out of interest - who are you playing?

Game Grid as of 21 March:

Scoreboard as of 21 March:

Matches in play as of 21 March 2014 Catacol (axis) vs Isnogud (allies) Amadeus (axis) vs gkizziah (allies) Clausewitz (axis) vs Catacol (allies) Baron (axis) vs Amadeus (allies) PGTomli (axis) vs Catacol (allies) Lofty12 (axis) vs Ludi1867 (allies) Catacol (axis) vs Steel32 (allies) Lofty12 (axis) vs Tmanusa (allies) Pacestick (axis) vs gkizziah (allies) Tmanusa (axis) vs Calculon (allies) Fritz (axis) vs PGTomli (allies) Ludi1867 (axis) vs Baron (allies) gkizziah (axis) vs Jollyguy (allies) Catacol (axis) vs Pacestick (allies) Fritz (allies) vs Jollyguy (allies) Dalibor (axis) vs 4th Bn 66th Reg (allies) Strategiclayabout (axis) vs Luke (allies) Clausewitz (axis) vs Amadeus (allies) Dalibor (axis) vs Luke (allies) Calculon (axis) vs 4th Bn 66th Reg (allies) Isnogud (axis) vs Strategiclayabout (allies) Results Strategiclayabout (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Amadeus (allies) in June 1941. PGtomli (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Baron (axis) in December 1940. Amona (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Lofty12 (allies) in June 1942. Isnogud (axis) scored a 2 point victory over The Great Santini (allies) in August 1942. Clausewitz (axis) scored a 1 point victory over Amona (allies) in May 1947. PGtomli (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Strategiclayabout (allies) in August 1941. Isnogud (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Ludi1867 (allies) in February 1943. Clausewitz (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Ludi1867 (axis) in 1946. Isnogud (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Lofty12 (axis) in February 1942. Steel32 (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Lofty12 (allies) in March 1943. Strategiclayabout (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Pacestick (axis) in July 1943. Clausewitz (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Tmanusa (axis) in 1944. Catacol (allies) scored a 1 point victory over Amona (axis) in July 1945. Isnogud (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Strategiclayabout (axis) in June 1942 PGTomli (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Ludi1867 (axis) in August 1941. Baron (allies) scored a 2 point victory over The Great Santini (axis) Amadeus (axis) scored a 2 point victory over Amona (allies) in July 1943. Fritz (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Calculon (allies) in February 1943. Clausewitz (axis) scored a 2 point victory over The Great Santini (allies) in 1944. Strategiclayabout (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Clausewitz (axis) in March 1942. Amadeus (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Calculon (axis) Dalibor (allies) scored a 2 point victory over Luke (axis) in January 1942 Amadeus (axis) scored a 1 point victory over Clausewitz (allies)

Nope - no special version. If you want to join just email me: ama1970@hotmail.co.uk with a game name and I'll do the rest.

And finally the game grid as of 11 March:

Ladder Scoreboard as of 11 March: