From: pmenard@cse.unl.edu (Patrick Menard)
Newsgroups: rec.games.board
Subject: Re: A&A Game Balance
Date: 22 Jan 1993 18:32:35 GMT
Organization: University of Nebraska--Lincoln	
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: cse.unl.edu

rpc@moscom.com (Robert Colbey) writes:



>f12008ad@triton.unm.edu writes:


>>     Most people agree that the Allies have a distinct advantage in a normal
>>game of A&A.  I agree.  I think that the game is nearly balanced, though,
>>when the Russian no first attack rule is used.  This gives the Axis powers the
>>inititiative, rather than respond to the Allies for the entire game.  I think
>>that the game would be balanced if Germany is given a little boost in the
>>beginning.  I would propose to give Germany an extra infantry or fighter in
>>Libya at the beginning.  This would ensure that Germany could win the
>>initial battle for Africa until US or UK forces could re enforce.  I know
>>that Germany can win by transporting a couple of inf in, but Germany needs
>>all the forces it can get in Europe.  The fighter may be too much.  Germany's
>>weak spot is the Atlantic and an additional fighter may delay the US/UK
>>fleet for too long.

>The allies do indeed have a distinct advantage. However, since my strategy
>as Russia includes NOT attacking on the first round, I tend to disagree with
>your conclusion that this will help the Axis. I do agree that the Axis needs
>a little boost, but an extra infantry in Libya won't do it, either.

>A quick summary of my game-balancing rule modifications:

>NO new industrial centers. This favors the Axis because it keeps the Allies'
>lines of supply longer than the Axis', at least until the Axis has expanded
>it's territory.

this probably hurts Japan more than anyone.  Germany needs the Japanese to have
a strong force on the mainland to force Russia to put some troops on that side.
This can be best achieved by a factory, since Russia will not have any bombers
to hit it with.(it also means one less turn to get to the mainland)

>Germany gets the Rockets development, with the following restrictions:
>rocket attacks are only allowed from the AA in Western Europe against
>Great Britain (no rocket attacks are allowed against Russia).

not a bad idea, maybe also give Germany 2 subs off Western Europe instead of
one.(after all, its supposed to be a pack, not a loner :) With the Rockets and
the extra sub, Germany has a much better chance in africa.  Also, I'll post a
article on fighter escorts.

>Japan gets kamikazee fighters. Japanese fighters may fly all 4 spaces
>when making an attack against naval units. If there is a friendly carrier
>to land on, they may do so. Otherwise, planes which have exhausted their
>movement during combat movement and survived combat crash into the sea
>during non-combat.

hmm, sounds VERY interesting.  could help Japan a LOT!

>Bombers may be used to transport 1 infantry instead of bombs. The infantry
>may be paratroopers dropped into enemy territory during combat movement,
>or infantry airlifted into friendly territory during non-combat movement.
>The infantry which is transported must be in the space from which the
>bomber takes off at the beginning of its flight. One nice thing about
>paratroopers is that it encourages players to place at least a piece or
>two in their home territory!

I use this rule too.

>I have played many games with these rules, as both Axis and Allies, and
>have found that these modifications make the game very close to balanced.
>Comments?

Shadow