Grand Strategy

[ErichVonNeu]

This is my first post in this forum. The purpose of this thread is to discuss the pro's con's and execution of various strategies to win the game. I have played 3-4 grand campaigns against the AI. Three as the axis and one as the allies. The first two axis campaigns resulted in stalemates but i managed to win in late 1942 on the third attempt. Playing as the allies i became a bit dissappointed with the german AI, since I managed to conquer germany already in 1942.

My favorite games consist of: Rome total war (RTR mod), civilization (1 and 2), colonizatin, Storm Across Europe (old amiga game) and Advanced Third Reich (Advanced board game).

I think that CEAW is a very good and easy to play game. The only major flaws is the AI and that it is too easy to conduct seaborne invasions.

The way I see it there are a few things you have to do to secure a win for the axis: After France has fallen I quickly send at least one german panzer and a mech inf to support the Italians in Libya plus additional Italian inf, mech inf and tactical bomber, to win in the middle east is the most critical part of the game, otherwise you will run out of oil in 1942 and be overrun by the allies. If the mid east campaign runs really well you can even reach the Caucasus oil from the "kitchen entrance" crippling the SU war machine.

In Europe I guess you have to conduct sea lion as soon as you are ready, I see no other way if you want a chance to beat russia since the allies will launch overlord early otherwise. I usually build at least one more BB and as much air as possible. I have found that you dont need a lot of troops to bring England to it's knees. Once I get a foothold (after London falls) I withdraw some troops and start building strength in the east. I haven't really used commanders at least i didn't when i won as the axis. Are commanders worth the investment? What do you think?

Generally I always try to save as much oil as possible and move tanks and air units using rail.

I want to thank the developers of this game. It's really exciting and I just love the "oil comsumption" rule as it adds realism to the game thus forcing you to plan ahead to get the best starting position for your troops and really prioritize between major and minor offensives on different fronts

[vypuero]

I generally play as Axis with moderate allied advantage - I can win that - it is quite hard with maximum advantage to the allies. That is how I would balance the game for you to keep it a challenge with the ai. The only major flaw left in the ai is that it doesn't do much to defend north africa, and the axis ai seems to weak at defending germany to me. I think with Axis AI if I am allies I win even when they have maximum advantage - though usually russia falls I can take berlin before they can get enough forces back.

[ErichVonNeu]

I have, so far, played the AI with balanced forces, but I think I will try to give the Allies an advantage the next time to see what happens. I think there are a few flaws: North africa, as you mentioned and that the allies don't use their fleet advantage to defend England. If you manage to take England, then the allied troops just mass in Canada and the US. And Russia lies ripe for conquest. One other thing I have found is that the AI puts a lot of effort in defending the Caucasus and not that much effort in defending Perm.

Also when I played as the Allies i found that the western allied forces could just roll in to Germany, while the AI fought quite fiercely against the Russians on the Eastern front. On the other hand, maybe thats what would have happened in real life if Hitler had been purged?