Messina.

[stormbringer3]

I played this and received the two advanced aircraft. However, I have saved enough Italian units to receive over 3000 Prestige Points if I disband them. I'm thinking of replaying for the extra points. What's the better long term choice, the aircraft or the points?
Thanks for any opinions.

[huckc]

The fighter alone is almost worth it over the points. It has an amazing hero (+4 Def?) and a permanent +2 free over-strength.

Also, both planes are much better than what's currently available.

So I'd keep the planes...or perhaps there's a way to have both

[proline]

Sell all the Italian units over and above the required number. Sell the tanks and other expensive ones. But you want the Ta-152.

[captainjack]

I agree with Proline and huckc.
The fighter and tac bomber (which also has useful AA and good heroes) are both base 12 strength, and are much better than what you can buy.

The Italian aux can be useful in the following two (maybe three) scenarios to fill spaces in the line and there are evacuation hexes which you can use to pull them out when damaged. However, you will want to disband them at some point for the prestige.

[proline]

The Italian aux can be useful in the following two (maybe three) scenarios to fill spaces in the line and there are evacuation hexes which you can use to pull them out when damaged. However, you will want to disband them at some point for the prestige.

Actually, they turn against you the next scenario after Messina. I've often wondered if its the exact Italians from your core you have to fight, or just generic ones?

[captainjack]

Actually, they turn against you the next scenario after Messina. I've often wondered if its the exact Italians from your core you have to fight, or just generic ones?

That's something I hadn't thought of. I suppose you could test it by keeping one or more Italian units in your reserve until the Italians change side and then see whose side our auxiliaries fight on when deployed. Maybe make it one of the tankettes so you don't have too much trouble if it turns against you.

[Cerberus51]

Actually, they turn against you the next scenario after Messina. I've often wondered if its the exact Italians from your core you have to fight, or just generic ones?

That's something I hadn't thought of. I suppose you could test it by keeping one or more Italian units in your reserve until the Italians change side and then see whose side our auxiliaries fight on when deployed. Maybe make it one of the tankettes so you don't have too much trouble if it turns against you.

After the 1943 armistice most of the Italian military supported the pro-allied government but there were some who fought for the Italian Socialist Republic under Mussolini. Air units carried out interception of allied bombers and other tasks. There were also army and naval units who fought on the pro-axis Republican side. So it is entirely reasonable to have Italian units on both sides from 1943 onwards.

[hugh2711]

I have tried both ways and I am still undecided as to which is best.
I would say that IFF you do NOT farm/build up a very strong airforcce right from the beginning of the west campaigns, as I do, then you probably should go for the upgraded units however I HAVE found that if I do go for them they often do not always get used/deployed as I have an adequate heroed and experienced air force already. That is; adequate/good for the much harder air war in some of the later scenarios e.g. beaches of normandy.
By messina you should already have a good enough cushion of prestige from the earlier easy west scenarios that you should not be desperate for prestige.
http://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewtop ... 45&t=83215

[faos333]

Keep the planes, its a great help, for the upcoming scenarios

[hurly]

another great asset for those Messina Planes is the relative low cost for overstrength

while a "normal" unit is at a price of 100% for +1 / 150% for +2 200% for +3 and so on culminating to exactly twice the regular Price for a 15 strength unit

these Special Planes cost 83% for +1 (which is already 13 strength) and then 125% for the +2/14 strength
I can't recall what the +3 (15 strength) cost is exactly as it is some time ago I played the West Campaign and I usually do not use heavy overstrength, but I assume it is just 150% (maybe 175% I can't remember I just tested it once but never used it in action)

so a regular Fighter that costs 600 bucks is a whopping 1200 worth loaded to the max

while the 2 specials both with a base cost around 650 to 660 is worth about 900 to 920 at 15 strength and you get there with a 3* experinced unit

That is a remarkable bargain in any campaign, but even more so in the relative low budgeted western one

[faos333]

One more question if somebody knows the answer, in case you keep some italian units, by no deploying them in Messina or anywhere else till the end of the grand campaing 42-43, for example artillery pieces.

Do they carry over in the 44 or 45 west campaign, or you lose them?

[goose_2]

another great asset for those Messina Planes is the relative low cost for overstrength

while a "normal" unit is at a price of 100% for +1 / 150% for +2 200% for +3 and so on culminating to exactly twice the regular Price for a 15 strength unit

these Special Planes cost 83% for +1 (which is already 13 strength) and then 125% for the +2/14 strength
I can't recall what the +3 (15 strength) cost is exactly as it is some time ago I played the West Campaign and I usually do not use heavy overstrength, but I assume it is just 150% (maybe 175% I can't remember I just tested it once but never used it in action)

so a regular Fighter that costs 600 bucks is a whopping 1200 worth loaded to the max

while the 2 specials both with a base cost around 650 to 660 is worth about 900 to 920 at 15 strength and you get there with a 3* experinced unit

That is a remarkable bargain in any campaign, but even more so in the relative low budgeted western one

Hurly? Buddy it so so good to see you posting again.

Have you seen any of my Double Rommel Afrika Korps playthrough?

It has been a most enjoyable challenge and one where every upgrade and prestige point earned counts big time.

I would love to hear how you are doing because it has been a longtime

[faos333]

I made a search in the forum and from I understand the Italian units will not trasnfer to next GC West 44, so best is to trade for the needed cash.

In case somebody has a problem reaching DV by moving 18 units to the other side:

Keep in mind that there are 4 static already there, so needed are 14 and one trick alhrough I did not use it is to use parachuters to be deployed immediately when you start the map. Also towards 18 you can move german units as well.