Friendly Fire

I'll play strong opponents, but I have a policy of not playing anyone who thinks the universe revolves around them.

um, back to the topic By now everyone should realize that direct air (fleet) attacks on full strength experienced carriers with tech is a really bad idea. Terif points out that intercepting the carrier attack can be (cost) effective - but what about forcing the carrier to intercept air fleet attacks on nearby targets - is this an effectively identical situation? Good idea or not? Thanks [ January 17, 2004, 04:18 PM: Message edited by: Friendly Fire ]

by the way, my game versus Rannug is underway, we will try to get to a conclusion by the end of the month as requested [ January 16, 2004, 03:52 AM: Message edited by: Friendly Fire ]

Final report from Friendly Fire vs XWormwood. Late Spring 1944. Germany attacks US, French, and British units positioned along the Rhine with L2 jets experienced Panzer divisions forcing expensive losses on the Allies. A few Allied transports hunt hopefully for unguarded cities in Scandanavia, to no avail. In the Med, Tobruk holds despite repeated bombing and infantry assault (the 8th Army is very experienced but only strength 4). Iraq is still neutral. In the USSR the Caucauses are firmly sealed off from the capital. A ever strengthing army is marhing north towards Moscow and the Urals. The Luftwaffe sends a newly constructed air unit to assist. Russian production below 200 MPP with losses now exceeding that amount each turn. German production exceeds 500 MPP... Thanks to XWormwood for a very entertaining game. It was like a good book, I couldn't put it down!

Alternatively, I suggest that HQs should exert some, albeit reduced, level of C&C for allied units. It always bugs me when my UK HQ doesn't do anything for a Canadian unit... This could make some interesting situations in the game, it might become worthwhile (for example) to send an Allied HQ to Spain to assist in the defense...

Hey! Why I am singled out as a newbie above, been active on this forum for quite a while now! Sounds like fighting words! This said, I am always interested in learning more about the subtle points of the game. With SC, the devil is in the details. The guide is excellent, thanks for the effort! [ January 14, 2004, 01:41 AM: Message edited by: Friendly Fire ]

Update on FriendlyFire (axis) vs Xwormwood (allies) A very close game, could go either way... March 1944 West: In a strong invasion alles liberated France and the Low Countries. Germany entrenched along the Rhine with armor supported by high quality (L1) air fleets. This line has held for several months so far. The allies have not yet launched a full assault on this position. East: Last month the USSR surrounded and killed 2 understrength German armies in Moscow as Germany shifted focus to the West. Stalan is now back in the Kremlin. Similar attemps to encircle and recapture Stalingrad have failed thus far. Germany is entrenched along the Don from Rostov to Stalingrad, cutting of the Caucuses from the capital. Heavy fighting continues and no prisoners are taken alive. Lenningrad is held by Axis. Disobeying orders, the commander of the Sevastopol garrison orders his unit on a scouting mission and is cut off by Romanian infantry. Sevastopol falls without a fight! A couple of rogue corps are loose in the the northern USSR. Finally, worth mentioning that the skies over the USSR are clear of aircraft. Scandinavia: Sweden and Norway controlled by Axis Med: Strange situation - Sicily: Allied (Axis screw up). Malta: Axis (Allied screw up). Africa: Tobruk in peril. Iraq: neutral. Royal navy down to one Str 3 BB. (France is the leading naval power according to the report!) Atlantic: Quiet except for raid on Scapa Flow, held briefly by a german corps who have retreated back to Norway following heavy air attack.

Slapaho, welcome to the party! This forum is focused exclusively on Strategic Command. If you want to learn the game start with the posting on strategy (you can find it at the top of the list). There is enough information there to help you understand the critical stuff: - supply rules - HQ command and control - air units and interception - Dutch Gambit - war readiness to name a few , Play the AI a few times to practice and then play online. A good way to start is to join Curry's PBEM league, but TCIP is also an option...

Yes, checks out. If you move into the city then ownership changes but if you operate it doesn't. Wasn't aware of that. Thanks for the tip. I echo the experience about Italian AT - I find even with 1 chit I make good progress up the ladder almost every game. Part of the reason is probably that the Soviets usually invest heavily in AT and the catchup rule helps a bit, but I still find it surprising. [ January 11, 2004, 12:57 AM: Message edited by: Friendly Fire ]

Have a partisan question, rather than starting a new thread I'll add to this one. Q. Does the type of unit matter for the purpose of preventing partisans from appearing in adjacent hexes? Do air units count? thanks!

Well, it depends what you mean by "staying German" If you move an Italian unit into a USSR city that Germany captured then Italy gets those MPPs at the end of the turn. I just confirmed it with a hotseat test. (In my test I moved the unit in, but I expect it must be the same if you operate the unit in). I may run a test to see if it is true that if Italy captures the western USSR cities then Germany cannot bulld units in central USSR... Not sure I believe this. But it is pretty academic, it would be a very strange game if Italy was taking more that one or two cities in USSR... [ January 09, 2004, 03:21 PM: Message edited by: Friendly Fire ]

correct, but also note that prior to a countries surrender the MPP production goes to the nation who last had a unit in the production hex. Something to be aware of if an Italian unit wanders through a captured oil field in the USSR and becuase you probably want those MPPs to go to Germany!

Iron Ranger repels D-Day and breaks open the Soviet defenses in the West. UK takes Iraq, but too little too late. April 18, 1943 FriendlyFire resigns good luck to Ranger in the finals

I find the strategy outlined by Terif works well in the USSR. I haven't seen a lot of evidence in the games I have played to suggest that the air made all the difference. After all, unless the UK can stop (or slow) the cookie cutter the game is usually decided even if the USSR gets lots of MPPS. I usually look for air limits in my games, not because I am afraid of the strategy, but because it is BORING! The Fall Bleu scenario is excellent, give it a try!

Hi gang, I was under the assumption that round 1 would involve 2 games against each opponent (1 axis, 1 allied). Is this not correct? The scenario seems fairly balanced but 1 think Axis has an edge. What are the current standings Axis versus Allies? Iron, good AAR but but Sweden failed to surrender only on the first Axis turn after you took the capital, we haven't played past that... FF (Axis) vs Xwormwood underway. Short highlighs - USSR North: - Axis experience supply problems but take Lennigrad - USSR Central - Trading hits... - USSR South - Axis takes Rostov, units adjacent to Stalingrad - WEST - Allies pounding Brest, Ireland taken - MED - Allies attacking towards Tobruk with carrier and air support, Italians holding. I will send turn 1 for my other game tommorow, I have been pretty busy with holidays, and really wanted a chance to play a few turns of my other games instead of making the same mistakes over and over. Regarding the pace of the tourney, I have no complaint, but I typically play PBEM and am used to games taking a long time... Kurt, let me know if I am holding things up and I will try and move things along via TCPIP. [ December 29, 2003, 02:00 AM: Message edited by: Friendly Fire ]

The reason I think it is gamey is that it is silly to think the Axis would sit idly by while the whole French Navy has set up such a blockade. To reflect this properly in the game, Italian war readness should increase when a big fleet moves near the as yet inactivated Italian Navy. But what the hell, the standard scenario is unbalanced towards Axis, so I can live with this one. I don't see that it will turn the tide in the med or anything. Iron, I get your point, and agree. All your comments are valid, I've just learned to accept those problems - this one caught me by surprise. No sweat, I'll put it in the bag of tricks, maybe do it myself sometime... thanks for the posts guys, & have a great Christmas. [ December 24, 2003, 07:46 PM: Message edited by: Friendly Fire ]

Saw a new one today, surprised it is not more common. Allied player parked the entire French Navy + much of the UK med fleet off south Italy. When Italy enters the fleet is trapped (can't move!) and forced to fight the (about to surrender) French navy! Perhaps I haven't seen it before because many players disband the French navy to fund the defense of France. It seems pretty gamey to me, not much different that an amphib invasion on the first turn a major enters... Has anyone else seen this? Do some of you have a house rule against this? (I have a screen shot but I can't seem to add it to the post, any hints?) [ December 23, 2003, 08:06 PM: Message edited by: Friendly Fire ]

Many Allied players seem to send the med fleet home early in the game in order to avoid losing those units. Naturally this seals the victory for Axis in Africa, but the ships (especially the carrier) are useful for D-day, and I find they can't last when attacked by Axis air and the Italian navy... However, whenever I let Axis take Iraq I lose, so I'm interested in finding a way to make life difficult for good Axis players (bid 200 at 1:8 say). France usually falls in June/July, so if you can't defend Africa what can you do to stop tbe cookie cutter? Avatar, - when are you sending the army to Egypt? - do you also send an HQ? - do you reinforce North Africa with naval units also?

I have started play. Iron Ranger strikes hard in the east, USSR patches the line (kind of), UK bombs ports in the west... Rannug I will send you an Axis turn later today (very late here, need sleep). xwormwood, should we commence? What side do you want? [ December 22, 2003, 04:56 AM: Message edited by: Friendly Fire ]

Guys, I think I am a fairly decent player, but I found the AI quite hard to take on at the highest difficulty level. This is simply because as Axis losses it is quite a disaster attacking with a -2 experience disadvantage (and those losses mean you don't get experience, and so the cycle continues). As Allies by the time the Russian Campaign rolls I seem to recall almost all Axis units, including air, are at 4 bar experience, and walk right over the map. I've since mostly given up playing the AI (too stupid), playing people is a lot more fun But I am curious, do others take on the AI with +2 experience, or do you find it silly like I did?

The way AT works in the game, I always considered it as really addressing infanty weapons and tactics overall, not just strictly Anti Tank....

Ya, my grandad said the war went on forever...

Friendly Fire back online at friendlyfire@xmsg.com Iron, what TZ are you? Here it is Pacific. Like I said, TCP/IP is going to be difficult for me, and I would prefer to warm up with PBEM so I can think about what I am doing! Anyone else in my group ready for a PBEM turn?

My email is still down for "maintenance" Personally I think xmsg.com has folded. I'll give it another few days, if necessary I will set up an alternate account for gaming. In the meantime you can reach me at brian_muir@creoscitex.com

Iron, I am in your group but I won't be able to commit to TCP/IP play anytime soon. Feel free to email me a turn with you as Axis if you want to get us started. Around Christmas I will have some more time, could probably set a time for TCP/IP...