Scenario Playtesting - A&A 1939

[DerLeiter]

Few more changes for S1:

Fixed an issue with the German Carriers deploying outside of Germany.
French to be issued additional auxiliaries if Germany attacks before war is declared (apologies skyfox! had to try it though).
A few additional minor tweaks.

[skyfox122]

I was curious also - could have taken out one of the two Para's but decided I wanted to go a head with my own Para drop instead - need the fighters for escort\counter strike capability.
You may need the carriers to deploy outside of Germany when I'm done with you. lol

[skyfox122]

I would like to suggest and see if any other players agree - that the Germans get Bridging Engineers added to purchase option on turn 5, 6, 7, 8, or no later than turn 9.
It would give them more flexibility on initial attack into Low Countries. May encourage different strategy for Norway\Low Countries depending on what turn it is an option to purchase.
What do you say guys - what are your option(s) on this??

Since the game change to German ship deployment - so far it seems to be a good change to me. Need to play another game before totally sold on this (my mind might change if I start loosing my naval battles - lol).

[DerLeiter]

I'd thought this before too, and in previous editions the Germans were actually given three Bridge Engineers a few turns before the attack on France (which in fact eventually became the SS-Panzergrenadier units), but the conclusion was nobody really used them as Bridge Engineers; they just upgraded them into other infantry. I personally haven't seen too much of a need for them in the attack on France; it's when you go into Russia it can be nice to have a few to cross the major rivers in case the Russians are able to block them off first.

I am curious if people would want them again, and what you'd use them for?

Also how do people feel about the Battle of France, is it too many German units or does it seem ok in your games?

[skyfox122]

I didn't know if it had been tried before - I was thinking it would give a third way of breaching the initial restriction into the Low Countries.
Thank you once again for all the background information!

[DerLeiter]

Added in French Reserve forces if they are attacked before war is declared (naughty Germans!).

Reworked the SS-Panzer Divisions; Certain panzer versions may overlap, but since unlike aircraft you can upgrade them this doesn't matter as much. Also really almost definitely should be no extra early Panther divisions this time!

[DerLeiter]

I didn't know if it had been tried before - I was thinking it would give a third way of breaching the initial restriction into the Low Countries.
Thank you once again for all the background information!

I thought so too, especially as their used to be a few more rivers in France.

[DerLeiter]

Ausf S2/S3 - Fixed a few more things, including properly showing terrain in Southern Italy and some more balance problems.

[DerLeiter]

Upcoming Fixes:

• D.A.K. sometimes likes to take a vacation in Switzerland (forgot to remove the old zone).

[skyfox122]

Check the American Cruiser's - I am able to hit 3 hexes out - also a Brit. Cruiser HMS Phoebe. It has happened in version S1 and I think my first S3 also will need to verify again in it.

[skyfox122]

REF. American Cruiser's all were able to hit 3 hexes out (forgot to put in 1st message - all US cruiser's).

Also a new recommendation for the Germans - have done three S1 versions and feel the need for additional slots. I would recommend we try adding 5 core slots for the Germans - on the same turn the American forces arrive at France's door-step.
Notice could be stated as: Hitler orders re-organization of German defensive units in France and the Low Countries resulting in more efficient use of forces which has resulted in a gain of 5 core unit slots.

Recommend also a new topic or posting in some fashion as to draw more attention on your great Mod!!!!

[DerLeiter]

Been a little while now; I've continued fixing some minor issues such as a couple of broken roads in Africa, lowered the % on SS units being formed, fixed Spain not deploying its armed forces when randomly activated (as opposed to being invaded which was working properly), some terrain tweaks, a few special events (eg Operation Oak is a possibility). I'm still debating the number of airfields and if I should remove some, otherwise unless any other issues pop up I feel that the game is almost finished.

[DerLeiter]

AA1939 T1 Update
Broken roads in Norway and Africa fixed.
Waffen-SS and SS-Panzergrenadier deployment has a reduced chance and is more spread out now.
When Spain decides to join the Axis, without being provoked first, it should now deploy its forces that turn as well.
Minor terrain changes in Russia and some of Europe.
Operation Oak added.
Airfields have not yet been reduced.
Fixed a few issues with zones, such as random D.A.K. units should no longer be vacationing in Switzerland.
Graf Zepplin now deploys with 'appropriate' aircraft.

American Cruiser's all were able to hit 3 hexes out.

It was intended that the later US Heavy Cruisers should have a range of 3, the Light Cruisers shouldn't have had it. I've gone through and fixed them so now only the turn ~50+ US Heavy Cruisers should have it, and it is shown by them having a second hero.

Also a new recommendation for the Germans - have done three S1 versions and feel the need for additional slots. I would recommend we try adding 5 core slots for the Germans - on the same turn the American forces arrive at France's door-step.

I've considered this a bit, and I think for now I will leave it as is. Here's my reasons why though:

• You're the supreme military commander of the Axis forces, so it's up to YOU to decide when and where you need to pull back forces. You may very well have to rapidly disband forces on one front to build up another -- that's all part of this game. You know roughly when D-Day is coming; it has a bit of a variance and you get a warning once it's been spotted so you need to decide how to react.
• PzC doesn't do amphibious assaults into enemy hexes, so the more units the Axis have the more they can simply 'wall off' the coast and make the Allies physically incapable of disembarking.
• Additionaly, you do get the SS-Jagdverbände after the Allies take a few French cities specifically to help you retake them. If it gets bad quickly, there's also the Werwolf Partisans in Germany.
• From my experience once you're at turn 40+ it's prestige that's the issue, not core unit slots. for example in our game I have enough to do replacements for most of my units (but not nearly all especially the ships), and to build a few new ones.. but I still have about 2 unused core slots each turn. Admittedly this may be me just playing it wrong though!
• Again from my experience, what garrison I have behind is usually enough to fend off any initial attacks and give me time to mobilize reinforcements -- either by shipping them from the East or disbanding & building new ones.
• Lastly.. I think that the Allies should be able to land and gain a foothold on France (or Spain if need be) unless the Axis have some extreme advantage over them. That's the main reason their force is so overwhelming -- they will take losses getting there and they need the air/naval power to help clear the beaches. Also, if nothing else it just makes it more interesting to have to try and drive them off, or fall back build a defence line and counterattack.

Recommend also a new topic or posting in some fashion as to draw more attention on your great Mod!!!!

Thanks!, but I think just the one topic is fine. I'm just doing this for the enjoyment of it, though I'm glad I can share it with some others.

[skyfox122]

Good logic on the American Heavy Cruiser's'
Not so sure on the slot issue - due to so many fronts - especially if Africa\Mid East is still in play. I agree not to due the increase until after the assault has begun - say 2-4 turns later as a reorganization.
The prestige will be a problem and even a bigger issue if slots are increased (probably could not build\fill all of the slots anyway).
The scenario is playing well as is - just adding my two thoughts for options\consideration!
Nice to see you have put a lot of thought about it also.

[Cataphract88]

DerLeiter,

Thank you very much for continuing to update and improve your fab mod.

[DerLeiter]

Good logic on the American Heavy Cruiser's' ...

Should also note that the Tirpitz, some later American Battleships, and the FNS Richelieu have range 4 as well (again all marked on the additional heroes).

As for France it's just wait and see, those were my thoughts on the matter but nothing is written in stone. I do wish I could watch other peoples' games to see how it plays out for them though. I think the answer, if I were to change it would be auxiliaries and/or more prestige though. I think right now the prestige seems to be about where I want it -- you can put out a few top of the line units, or you can build lesser ones and use up all your core slots.. but you can't just pump out Tigers like you used to be able to back in the Ausf G versions.

Thank you very much for continuing to update and improve your fab mod.

Thanks, it's funny it just started off as a small single player scenario and just blew up like this, but I'm loving how it's developed and many times with the scenario editor I run into limitations, then get to be creative in finding ways around them.

I'm not even sure how many games I've played of this now, but they all turn out differently. I attempted a turn 3 invasion of England only for it to go horribly wrong; the Bismarck was sunk, my fleet crippled, my SS destroyed before they could disembark, and most of my paratroopers shot down.. all because one P/T landed one hex in the wrong direction and got spotted! So we're going to see how well I can pull out of that mess.

AUSF T2 Future Update Plans
Some of the ANZAC forces still deploy even after Egypt and the surroundings have been captured by the Axis forces; I'm not allowing any of them to deploy anymore. However I was considering maybe letting the Captured units still deploy (ie resistance forces captured some tanks or somesuch).

[DerLeiter]

Very obvious error at the very beginning fixed in Ausf T2
ANZAC forces fixed as well.

[DerLeiter]

Currently working on Ausf U1. Some major changes to the game so I'm keeping the previous T3 version as backup. The largest changes are to Africa; this is to give some more Free French vs Vichy French battles, make it a bit more historically correct, and just generally change things up a bit.

Also I've been working on a side project of the original vision - making it a single player (Axis) game. I've managed to work around some of the AI's... silliness without having to double up on all the units and/or set the allies to +5 strength. If course now with the U1 changes, it will have to be reworked again.

CHANGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST

• The Golden Square reduced to SE Gebirgsjäger from SE Gebirgsjäger 43.
• A single Deutsches Afrikakorps (Advisor) added with a small chance of deploying.
• More Iraqi units deploy immediately when the coup occurs.

CHANGES TO AFRICA

• Allied fortifications at Alexandria, Suez, and near Cairo now start in play; the three cities are once again under British control.
• Cities of Dakar and Brazzaville added.
• There is now a rough path from South Africa to North Africa along the west coast.
• French territories in Africa no longer have flags until they declare Vichy or Free French.
• The Free French government-in-exile is being moved to the more appropriate Brazzaville in the Congo; Free French forces now deploy from there. If I'm able to rework or free up a zone, then it may relocate to Algiers if the Allies retake it.
• French North Africa, and much of West Africa, becomes Vichy once the armistice is signed. Limited Vichy garrison forces will be deployed there.
• Mediterranean - Malta has been given a port

CHANGES TO EUROPE

• Spain and France are now connected by rail.
• Fixed the rare issue of Spain deploying forces but remaining neutral territory (only seemed to occur when the Axis invaded Portugal)
• A few airfields have been removed, especially around Germany.
• Fixed some issues with Hungary in the late war period.
• Initial Italian aircraft slightly improved.
• Italian navy may be reduced (undecided).
• Railways through the Yugoslavia, Hungary, and Albania reworked.

[skyfox122]

Looking forward to trying the scenario as single player. I am currently running 8 multiplayer AA1939 - 3 ver. S1, 3 ver. S3, and 1 T2 and one old Q6 at turn 69.

Like the changes - adds a little excitement to the play test to alter things and see how it affects over all game play.

[DerLeiter]

Further U1 Changes:

• Guards Rifle Divisions added & Guards Tank Division modified; both are now roughly equivalent to SS divisions.
• French colonies semi-randomly choose Vichy or Free French.
• Free French & British Indian forces changed.
• Vichy forces now control former French cities in North Africa and have a small garrison to defend them.
• Russian reinforcements now start much closer to the cities OR on the railway.
• Allied D-Day prestige increased.
• D-Day HW Inf upgraded to HW Inf 43.
• Spanish receive 'new' equipment in '44 (if still controlled by the Axis). Said equipment is roughly one year old.
• Violating a neutral country now also gives a prestige penalty.
• A few other small surprises added.