Recently tried a variant of this strategy going for Italy first and then France and the early results for the centrals were looking good but alas, I could not get at France fast enough to make up for the economic losses that nibbles away at Germany from both sides with Russia and France as you work on finishing off Italy quickly to make it happen. Been playing this game for over a year now and it's still fun, when I first started I was winning as the central powers most time but once I figured things out it has been Entente win after Entente win and that is even with taking political and economic collapse rules out of the tournament rules (which i feel make it virtually impossible for the centrals to win as a result of the Ottomans being such an early and easy sitting duck) I keep trying new things hoping for something that can work for the centrals but no luck yet.
@@JonathanMeyer84 First major update a whole community is now working on the project www.reddit.com/r/AxisAllies/comments/ekm1qg/first_1756_map_made_by_ryndor/?
I really wish they would release a new updated version of this game. New sculpts, updated and thoroughly play tested rules, larger map, etc. It was a travesty they didn’t do this back in 2018 for the 100 year anniversary of the end of WWI. There have been some amazing, critically acclaimed documentaries and movies set in WWI recently. It was a fascinating time in Europe and needs to be explored more.
Sound strategy but next time you get inspiration block, try playing some CZcams war game with other Ax&Aller gamers- it really is a unique experience and you might be surprise of what you gain by that perspective!!!
I am alive! Just been very busy. I proposed to my fianceé. She said yes! And so we have been neck deep in wedding planning. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!
To elaborate, this strategy is not identical to what I typically use, as I have a few improvements to it I've worked on over the years: * I think too many units are being sent to the initial Serbia fight. You should be sending more of the starting build towards Italy to ensure a takedown/hold of Venice in case Italy tries anything or France tries swinging troops down to Italy to bail them out. I'd do something like 4 INF/2 ART * Albania is a distraction from the goal of attacking Italy. The Albanians need to be contained, not wiped out. They can't be effectively reinforced and can be wiped out at your convenience. You need to bring the full force of your starting build against Italy to crush them before they can be reinforced. Political Collapsing Italy takes whatever stragglers are left in Albania out of the game anyway. * I'd even recommend moving 100% of Vienna's units towards Italy and deal with any Russian counter with units Austria buys A1. I prefer a scenario where Russia foolishly overextends into Galacia because it allows Germany and Austria to switch gears and punish Russia for overextending, denying them the chance to setup their stack. * I disagree with having Germany take an aggressive posture against France (attacking Belgium, etc.). You should be NCM-ing everything towards Italy to attack/reinforce Piedmont later in the game. I'd typically go something like: Alsace: All to Switzerland. They're more than enough to defeat the Swiss on their own. I don't care if France counterattacks Switzerland because that means they're diverting their attention from saving Piedmont/Italy. I don't think a skilled France player would fall into the trap of a Swiss meat grinder anyway. They'd just reinforce Piedmont, put blockers in Lorraine and Burgundy, retake Belgium and start ramping up pressure on Alsace. Kiel: All to Alsace (to stop a French attack from Lorraine) Rhur: All to Munich (within 2-tiles of Galacia, Silesia, Rhur, Alsace, Venice, Piedmont and Switzerland. It's pretty much the most versatile tile Germany has). Hanover: All to Tyrolia (can 2-move into a contested Tuscany G2 if Austria fails to take it). Munich: All to Venice. the Alsace troops can kill Switzerland on their own and you need to be able to break Tuscany + contest Piedmont round 2. Galacia: All to Tyrolia. If you want to kill Italy you need more commitment. Attacking Russia early is just playing into the Entente's strategy. It's also an over-extension to attack on every front unless you got a pretty generous bid to play the Central Powers. Berlin: Split between Silesia and Munich. See above. However, you might be able to snag Poland if Russia stacked Ukraine instead of Poland. Prussia: Depends on what Russia did. If they stacked Poland they'll need to help stack Silesia to invite Russia into a meat grinder, otherwise they can try attacking to hold Russia off for a turn. * 100% of Germany's buys are going to head towards Russia, similar to the plan for Austria. You need every last piece that Austria and Germany start with to crush Italy and France's comparatively weak starting position. A lukewarm approach is only going to result in you getting walled out at the gates of Rome, or a hollow victory where you take Rome round 4, only to have it snatched away by the USA. * Ottomans just suck. You have to just hold the line and hope for good die rolls with them. Holding Italy after the initial takedown it effectively impossible. The idea is to force USA/France to waste their time retaking Italy while you're mopping up Russia and saving Ottomans from disaster. After this, you can bring your economic superiority to bear and fight your way back into Italy/France.
@@samkennyenjoyit3669 Thanks! But I really don't deserve the praise. JM has actual tournament credentials, after all! The only things I have to my name are placing highly in a Revised Tournament Series that doesn't exist anymore and being able to win as the Allies against randoms on the new Axis & Allies Online Game (it uses 42SE OOB Rules) they came out with on steam the other day.
Doucheman Macgee I just tried your version of this strategy out and either I did it wrong because the french and British were able to push and contest alcase Ruhr and Kiel and the USA took back Rome do I don’t see how it’s possible for the centrals to win
@@samkennyenjoyit3669 It depends on whether you're playing tournament rules or not. The idea is that once you take Rome/Political-Collapse Italy you don't try to hold it. Just retreat back into Germany/Austria. With Italy dead, you've taken away an entire turn's worth of production/movement from the other player. USA is much easier to deal with than Italy because they build all the way in USA instead of Rome proper.
Under tournament rule you try a bit harder to hold the line to win on IPC gain when time is called. Under OOB win conditions you retreat from Italy and force France/USA to waste 2-3 turns retaking Italy. Meanwhile, you've been throwing 100% of your income at Russia with Germany/Austria since the game started, so they're probably dead. I'm surprised UK is attacking in Europe in your example game. Typically they send 100% of their forces to deal with the Ottomans.
Hey Man. I love you're Axis and Allies Videos, but perhaps you could make them more professional by using tabletop simulator on steam, (And then maybe play a game with me cause of the suggestion?)
To further elaborate, I was obviously not your opponent at Origins, as I wasn't able to make it this year. I plan on hitting up it and Gen Con next year though!
Hi Matthew. You are absolutely correct. A good Russian player will be on the lookout to do something annoying (or perhaps more than just annoying) if possible. It'll be up to Germany to funnel all newly produced units from Berlin eastward to meet the oncoming Russians. Depending on how much Russia sends forward, some German troops may also move up from Galicia to counter. Fortunately, if Russia moved a ton of units into Poland and further west, that means there are fewer in the Russian heartland that the Austro-German forces have to deal with. Austria and Germany will want to take great care in coordinating with each other for maximum effect both offensively and defensively.
Do you not play with the Larry Harris official tournament rules? What rule set are you using? Edit: I see you reference below using the tournament rules, but you didn't set up the board right: Setup Changes: Setup the game according to the OOB setup instructions, then make the following modifications: Remove the following units from the OOB setup British infantry in Rhodesia and British East Africa, French infantry in French West Africa French battleship and transport SZ15 German infantry in Togoland and Kamerun Italian infantry in Somaliland Add the following units to the setup: Russia- 3 infantry in Sevastopol, 3 infantry to Livonia France- Cruiser SZ15 Britain- Cruiser SZ 9
@@samkennyenjoyit3669 Basically. Economically collapse Italy turn 2 and politically collapse them by turn 4. Economically collapse Russia by turn 4 or 5, politically collapse them by turn 6. Then slowly grind into Paris.
Jonathan Meyer cool I’m pretty sure your other strategy is the only short game route for the centrals It’s all or nothing but I’ve come to realise it relies on good dice rolls It doesn’t work if you don’t get them in my opinion But I like this trying to gain economic and military equality with the allies But if the ottomans get knocked out in 5 rounds by the brits Can the Austrians afford that second front
@@samkennyenjoyit3669 Good question. The CP are still at a bit of a disadvantage if the Ottomans fall. On the other hand, if England is scrambling to try and keep Russia and Italy in the war, that might just give the Ottomans the breathing space they need.
In this Italian strategy you have the Germans on the first turn moving from Munich to Venice (a two area move) which is not allowed for infantry/artillery may only move one area. That error significantly impacts this impacts this strategy of yours.
Tournament rules, my good man. Nearly all of my videos are based on the rule set used at Origins and GenCon (found here: www.headlesshorseman2.com/origins.html)
Why does Austria never attack Romania turn 1? Russia will move in and get those units any way and threaten Budapest. Attacking and even if you only destroy a couple of units, it is contested instead of a free passage.
Russia will get the units either way. If Austria attacks Turn 1, that activates Romania and Russia can then use Romania's army on Russia's first turn. If Austria doesn't attack, Russia has to activate Romania itself on its first turn, and can't use the Romanian army until its second turn. When Austria attacks Romania, it gives Russia access to those troops faster. If it's contested and you're playing tournament rules, Russia would also be able to double move land units into Romania from as far as Belarus and Moscow to counter attack if it wants.
@@JonathanMeyer84 Those are troops not being used in Poland or Galicia. And if you attack those units you can destroy some of them before they are used.
@@palious13 They defend better than they attack. If Austria attacks turn 1 and activates the Romanians for Russia, the Russian player can use the Romanian forces however it wishes (in Poland, Galicia, or elsewhere). Attacking Romania as Austria Turn 1 simply gives Russia additional units a turn sooner than it otherwise would have gotten them.
Hey Johnathan I love your vids and they have helped me get a lot better at A&A beat up on my friends when we play. Keep up the good work!
Thanks! I'm glad to hear you've found my videos helpful, and that they've assisted you in finding victory!
Recently tried a variant of this strategy going for Italy first and then France and the early results for the centrals were looking good but alas, I could not get at France fast enough to make up for the economic losses that nibbles away at Germany from both sides with Russia and France as you work on finishing off Italy quickly to make it happen. Been playing this game for over a year now and it's still fun, when I first started I was winning as the central powers most time but once I figured things out it has been Entente win after Entente win and that is even with taking political and economic collapse rules out of the tournament rules (which i feel make it virtually impossible for the centrals to win as a result of the Ottomans being such an early and easy sitting duck) I keep trying new things hoping for something that can work for the centrals but no luck yet.
Me and many other people are making a Axis and Allies 1756? Do you want to see it when it’s finished?
Sounds intriguing! I'd love to.
@@JonathanMeyer84 First major update a whole community is now working on the project www.reddit.com/r/AxisAllies/comments/ekm1qg/first_1756_map_made_by_ryndor/?
Great video Johnathan... there’s a lot of meat on this bone.
Thanks!
Holy shit my strat is getting recognition. Did your opponents say where they got the plan for this from?
Hello, it's gaming season for me now. Would be interested if you have any new tips for 1942 2nd edition or 1914.
Still enjoying your videos BTW.
Hey Jonathan, did you buy any extra units or chips for this game?
I really wish they would release a new updated version of this game. New sculpts, updated and thoroughly play tested rules, larger map, etc.
It was a travesty they didn’t do this back in 2018 for the 100 year anniversary of the end of WWI. There have been some amazing, critically acclaimed documentaries and movies set in WWI recently. It was a fascinating time in Europe and needs to be explored more.
I agree 100%.
Sound strategy but next time you get inspiration block, try playing some CZcams war game with other Ax&Aller gamers- it really is a unique experience and you might be surprise of what you gain by that perspective!!!
I will definitely give that some thought!
Where is Jonathan? Hope you come back soon! Happy New Year.
I am alive! Just been very busy. I proposed to my fianceé. She said yes! And so we have been neck deep in wedding planning. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!
Jonathan Meyer congratulations! Did u tell her the hours she will be alone while you play A&A? 😁
@@varovaro1967 Not yet. That will be a wonderful surprise!
Hi Jonathan! Do you know the board game Napoleon in Europe?
I've not heard of it. How does it work?
To elaborate, this strategy is not identical to what I typically use, as I have a few improvements to it I've worked on over the years:
* I think too many units are being sent to the initial Serbia fight. You should be sending more of the starting build towards Italy to ensure a takedown/hold of Venice in case Italy tries anything or France tries swinging troops down to Italy to bail them out. I'd do something like 4 INF/2 ART
* Albania is a distraction from the goal of attacking Italy. The Albanians need to be contained, not wiped out. They can't be effectively reinforced and can be wiped out at your convenience. You need to bring the full force of your starting build against Italy to crush them before they can be reinforced. Political Collapsing Italy takes whatever stragglers are left in Albania out of the game anyway.
* I'd even recommend moving 100% of Vienna's units towards Italy and deal with any Russian counter with units Austria buys A1. I prefer a scenario where Russia foolishly overextends into Galacia because it allows Germany and Austria to switch gears and punish Russia for overextending, denying them the chance to setup their stack.
* I disagree with having Germany take an aggressive posture against France (attacking Belgium, etc.). You should be NCM-ing everything towards Italy to attack/reinforce Piedmont later in the game. I'd typically go something like:
Alsace: All to Switzerland. They're more than enough to defeat the Swiss on their own. I don't care if France counterattacks Switzerland because that means they're diverting their attention from saving Piedmont/Italy. I don't think a skilled France player would fall into the trap of a Swiss meat grinder anyway. They'd just reinforce Piedmont, put blockers in Lorraine and Burgundy, retake Belgium and start ramping up pressure on Alsace.
Kiel: All to Alsace (to stop a French attack from Lorraine)
Rhur: All to Munich (within 2-tiles of Galacia, Silesia, Rhur, Alsace, Venice, Piedmont and Switzerland. It's pretty much the most versatile tile Germany has).
Hanover: All to Tyrolia (can 2-move into a contested Tuscany G2 if Austria fails to take it).
Munich: All to Venice. the Alsace troops can kill Switzerland on their own and you need to be able to break Tuscany + contest Piedmont round 2.
Galacia: All to Tyrolia. If you want to kill Italy you need more commitment. Attacking Russia early is just playing into the Entente's strategy. It's also an over-extension to attack on every front unless you got a pretty generous bid to play the Central Powers.
Berlin: Split between Silesia and Munich. See above. However, you might be able to snag Poland if Russia stacked Ukraine instead of Poland.
Prussia: Depends on what Russia did. If they stacked Poland they'll need to help stack Silesia to invite Russia into a meat grinder, otherwise they can try attacking to hold Russia off for a turn.
* 100% of Germany's buys are going to head towards Russia, similar to the plan for Austria. You need every last piece that Austria and Germany start with to crush Italy and France's comparatively weak starting position. A lukewarm approach is only going to result in you getting walled out at the gates of Rome, or a hollow victory where you take Rome round 4, only to have it snatched away by the USA.
* Ottomans just suck. You have to just hold the line and hope for good die rolls with them.
Holding Italy after the initial takedown it effectively impossible. The idea is to force USA/France to waste their time retaking Italy while you're mopping up Russia and saving Ottomans from disaster. After this, you can bring your economic superiority to bear and fight your way back into Italy/France.
Your a legend
Always fine tuning strategies into something beautiful
@@samkennyenjoyit3669 Thanks! But I really don't deserve the praise. JM has actual tournament credentials, after all! The only things I have to my name are placing highly in a Revised Tournament Series that doesn't exist anymore and being able to win as the Allies against randoms on the new Axis & Allies Online Game (it uses 42SE OOB Rules) they came out with on steam the other day.
Doucheman Macgee I just tried your version of this strategy out and either I did it wrong because the french and British were able to push and contest alcase Ruhr and Kiel and the USA took back Rome do I don’t see how it’s possible for the centrals to win
@@samkennyenjoyit3669 It depends on whether you're playing tournament rules or not. The idea is that once you take Rome/Political-Collapse Italy you don't try to hold it. Just retreat back into Germany/Austria. With Italy dead, you've taken away an entire turn's worth of production/movement from the other player. USA is much easier to deal with than Italy because they build all the way in USA instead of Rome proper.
Under tournament rule you try a bit harder to hold the line to win on IPC gain when time is called. Under OOB win conditions you retreat from Italy and force France/USA to waste 2-3 turns retaking Italy. Meanwhile, you've been throwing 100% of your income at Russia with Germany/Austria since the game started, so they're probably dead.
I'm surprised UK is attacking in Europe in your example game. Typically they send 100% of their forces to deal with the Ottomans.
Hey Man. I love you're Axis and Allies Videos, but perhaps you could make them more professional by using tabletop simulator on steam, (And then maybe play a game with me cause of the suggestion?)
Perhaps, though first I need to become an expert at Tabletop Simulator.
@@JonathanMeyer84 it's stupid simple, but I could show you if you want.
To further elaborate, I was obviously not your opponent at Origins, as I wasn't able to make it this year. I plan on hitting up it and Gen Con next year though!
Hey Jonathan love your videos not that it’s the best idea but Russian troops in Poland could move into Berlin if you don’t contest them.
Hi Matthew. You are absolutely correct. A good Russian player will be on the lookout to do something annoying (or perhaps more than just annoying) if possible. It'll be up to Germany to funnel all newly produced units from Berlin eastward to meet the oncoming Russians. Depending on how much Russia sends forward, some German troops may also move up from Galicia to counter. Fortunately, if Russia moved a ton of units into Poland and further west, that means there are fewer in the Russian heartland that the Austro-German forces have to deal with. Austria and Germany will want to take great care in coordinating with each other for maximum effect both offensively and defensively.
Do you not play with the Larry Harris official tournament rules? What rule set are you using?
Edit: I see you reference below using the tournament rules, but you didn't set up the board right:
Setup Changes: Setup the game according to the OOB setup instructions, then make the following modifications:
Remove the following units from the OOB setup British infantry in Rhodesia and British East Africa, French infantry in French West Africa French battleship and transport SZ15 German infantry in Togoland and Kamerun Italian infantry in Somaliland
Add the following units to the setup: Russia- 3 infantry in Sevastopol, 3 infantry to Livonia France- Cruiser SZ15 Britain- Cruiser SZ 9
I use the tournament rules that are used at GenCon. That ruleset doesn't include unit setup changes.
I loved your Paris rome strategy
This I’m sure I’ll love to
Great! I hope so.
Jonathan Meyer is the aim is for Italy to be out turn 4
Russia turn 6
And then Paris whenever
@@samkennyenjoyit3669 Basically. Economically collapse Italy turn 2 and politically collapse them by turn 4. Economically collapse Russia by turn 4 or 5, politically collapse them by turn 6. Then slowly grind into Paris.
Jonathan Meyer cool
I’m pretty sure your other strategy is the only short game route for the centrals
It’s all or nothing but I’ve come to realise it relies on good dice rolls
It doesn’t work if you don’t get them in my opinion
But I like this trying to gain economic and military equality with the allies
But if the ottomans get knocked out in 5 rounds by the brits
Can the Austrians afford that second front
@@samkennyenjoyit3669 Good question. The CP are still at a bit of a disadvantage if the Ottomans fall. On the other hand, if England is scrambling to try and keep Russia and Italy in the war, that might just give the Ottomans the breathing space they need.
Will there be another Axis and Allies game? It’s been a year and nothing came out.
That is a great question. I hope soon, and I hope it will be 1914 Second Edition. However, I am doubtful that any new game is on the horizon :(
Bruh, right now I am playing a game to axis and allies 1914.
In this Italian strategy you have the Germans on the first turn moving from Munich to Venice (a two area move) which is not allowed for infantry/artillery may only move one area. That error significantly impacts this impacts this strategy of yours.
Tournament rules, my good man. Nearly all of my videos are based on the rule set used at Origins and GenCon (found here: www.headlesshorseman2.com/origins.html)
Is it possible to move/attack into a territory, which is contested by an allie?
Yes, per the GenCon rules. My group usually plays where you cannot.
Hey Jonathan, what were the bids like at Origins?
Usually fairly small, 0-7.
@@JonathanMeyer84 Wow, I was expecting a lot higher. We are trialling a bid of 12 to the CP over the course of 3 games.
do you know where you can buy A and A 1914. It's not on amazon anymore.
I heard a rumor that it is no longer for direct sale :(
@@JonathanMeyer84 oh :(
Why does Austria never attack Romania turn 1? Russia will move in and get those units any way and threaten Budapest. Attacking and even if you only destroy a couple of units, it is contested instead of a free passage.
Russia will get the units either way. If Austria attacks Turn 1, that activates Romania and Russia can then use Romania's army on Russia's first turn. If Austria doesn't attack, Russia has to activate Romania itself on its first turn, and can't use the Romanian army until its second turn. When Austria attacks Romania, it gives Russia access to those troops faster. If it's contested and you're playing tournament rules, Russia would also be able to double move land units into Romania from as far as Belarus and Moscow to counter attack if it wants.
@@JonathanMeyer84 Those are troops not being used in Poland or Galicia. And if you attack those units you can destroy some of them before they are used.
@@palious13 They defend better than they attack. If Austria attacks turn 1 and activates the Romanians for Russia, the Russian player can use the Romanian forces however it wishes (in Poland, Galicia, or elsewhere). Attacking Romania as Austria Turn 1 simply gives Russia additional units a turn sooner than it otherwise would have gotten them.
Hey my wife and I have cosplayed at origins for the last couple years!
Nice!
Hi, thank you, why dont you do other wargames? There are so many nowadays
im about to start a ww1 game with my family so im studying up!
Good luck! Let me know how it goes.
Ah. Its been a while
st hier jemand der sich auf deutsch über die Strategie austauschen möchte?
Entschuldigung, ich kann ein bisschen Deutsch sprechen, aber Englisch ist besser.
Warum kann er von Kiel ins Elsas ziehen?
Tournament rules allow for movement of two spaces in some cases.