Axis & Allies (the boardgame)

[Martok]

Does anyone else here play it? I've played the game a few times now and quite enjoyed it, but I'm still too much of a noob to be very good at it yet.

Also, I've gotten stuck playing as the UK every time, and I'm never entirely sure what I'm supposed to do as them. Unlike the other four nations, the Brits don't seem to have a clear objective. Any ideas/advice? (Do I expand/invade at all? Build up my navy and just sail around protecting Imperial/Commonwealth (and Allied) possessions from enemy warfleets? etc.)

[FactionHeir]

I used to play that maybe 10 or so years ago?
Kinda forgot how to play it by now, sorry, but I remember really enjoying it ~:)

[Owen Glyndwr]

No, but have you ever played diplomacy? My dad used to play it and it sounds extremely fun.

A couple of my housemates and I have been playing a lot of Risk recently. It's starting to become slightly less fun though because two of my friends always just team up and stomp on us every time :embarassed:

[Hooahguy]

back when i was a kid, about 10 years old we found the pieces to the game, not the board. so we played army men with the figurines, pretty fun, but we lost most of them and i sure like heck have no idea how to play.

[Krusader]

My copy of A&A Anniversary Edition (https://img22.imageshack.us/img22/3411/axisalliesbord.jpg)
Large image in resolution, so linked.

That's what I play for the moment. Big board with lots of pieces and unlike other A&A titles it has 6 factions.

As the UK, in previous editions I've used navy to fight the Germans and when that is done and if any ships left, I've sent them to fight Japan (although can be gamble, because German player might suddenly build submarines aplenty). Although that is after I've begun landing troops in north Russia, trying to help USSR with extra troops. In Anniversary Edition though, you as British just can't let Italy be left to its own devices either. UK is probably not that newbie friendly.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Man I have had some good nights playing Axis and Allies. :yes:

A friend of My parents is a very hard core player, and I have to say the few games I have had with him have been intense. He runs rings around me, while simultaneously telling me what I am doing wrong. :laugh4: I think I made it to round 8 last time before he managed to break through (I played all three allies, he played both Axis nations. I have to admit that was a mistake in hindsight, The Axis is deadly in an experts hands) and I admitted defeat. It is a game I doubt I will ever be able to master. It is incredibly complex. :dizzy2:

But When I am not playing against a master I tend to do very well. Mostly because all my friends have very little experience playing. :sweatdrop:


The UK to me is all about supporting the other Allies. Early game you have to get a factory somewhere on the mainland, Like in India. (Although I believe new versions start with a factory on India) From there you just need to support the USSR (because they will need support, badly) while the USA uses the time to get its act together and move to help out in Europe. Just nip at the Japanese and Germans, and if Germany makes a grab for Africa then make him bleed for it. But don't get hung up on any on area of your vast empire, because you can not hold it all. Just make the Axis pay for every area they attack, and pray that the USA gets there in time. :beam:

Strong navy is key, if the Atlantic is not clear then America will never be able to get troops into position to invade Germany. And of course don't shirk on a Airforce, it can be a life saver when you need to quickly fortify a territory. There is a reason Gibraltar is on the map after all :laugh4: Its use in aiding Airforce movement should not be discounted.

At least, that is what I have always done. I don't pretend to be a expert. :sweatdrop:



ahh this makes me want to break out my copy. But I don't have anyone to have a game with. :shame: :laugh4:

[Centurion1]

i love that game...... i wish there was some way to play it online like turnbased.... you would think there would be?

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

i love that game...... i wish there was some way to play it online like turnbased.... you would think there would be?

actually you can, Game called TripleA (http://triplea.sourceforge.net/mywiki) is basically Axis and Allies online. :yes: Very fun, I load it up when I really feel like playing.


There is multiplayer, and I think they even have a PBM feature. Maybe we could get a game going :yes:

[A Very Super Market]

Yeah, it's called TripleA, I believe. It's a downloadable player for Axis and Allies, and plays several variants of it (Although it doesn't quite get Pacific right)

As for Britain, your job is to delay the Axis. Really, all your provinces are expendable, and you are allowed to sacrifice all of them to give the US time to gear up. Although losing India isn't preferable, it isn't very avoidable, unless the US makes an IC in Sinkiang as well, but that is a whole strategy to be debated. Your greatest asset is your navy, as you start out with a sizeable fleet in various important locations. Your also have a decent air force, as well as plenty of territories to move them around in.

If Europe is your main concern, then your job is to harass the Germans by assaulting Scandinavia a lot or distracting them in Africa. If the Germans are not fighting the Soviets as hard as they can, they are not doing a good job. They aren't in a position to assault Britain itself either, so you can operate with relative impunity.

If the Pacific is you main concern..... you got me there. I've never attempted a Japan First strategy, but it involves spamming troops from turn 1 ICs in India, Sinkiang, and any of the Far Eastern Soviet territories. The rationale being that Japan will not have enough transports to stop the initial wave, and that Germany will somehow not take over Moscow and the Caucasus. I don't like it.

[Veho Nex]

Triple A actually sounds kinda cool. Anyone up for a game?

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Triple A actually sounds kinda cool. Anyone up for a game?

I am up for one, definitely. :yes: Of course, That depends if you want to do it right now and play the whole game. :laugh4: Believe me, staying up till 3 AM in front of a computer screen chatting with people you don't know for 10 hours may sound fun, but it can get kind of freaky.



Of course, we could either do a full game another time, or try out Triple A's PBM feature, which I admit, I have no idea how to do


But yeah, I would play. Have not had a Axis and Allies game for a VERY long time.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Big fan here, I've had some experience with both the normal and anniverary editions.

My general strategy as the UK is, as mentioned above before, harass Germany to no end. First of all, kill the German fleet. Second of all, invade or otherwise have a presence in Western Europe every single turn. France if you can take it, but otherwise Northwestern Europe or Norway. Your job is to ease as much pressure off the Soviets as possible and be a part of the three-man squeeze on Germany once the US gets into the picture. Then you turn and take on Japan.

I was actually thinking of starting a turn-based A&A game in the Gameroom sometime after Christmas. Glad to see that we have a lot of vets here. :yes:

[Veho Nex]

Im no vet, far from it. But I would kill to play some A&A because I own the game yet no one I know like to sit down an play a game more complicated that tic-tac-toe

[Andres]

:embarassed:

How is it possible that I never heard of this game until it was mentioned a week or so ago in some Frontroom thread?

Is it a bit like Risk?

I used to play Risk alot while at Uni; the emotion, the tension, the yelling and screaming and outrage when somebody broke a mutual "don't attack for x turns"- ceasefire pact. I can safely say that Risk can bring out the worst in people :laugh4:

The endless discussions... "You weren't going to attack me for 10 turns!" "No, we agreed that I wouldn't attack you in North America" "That's not true, that was not the ratio of the pact." "Ha, if you ever want to become a decent lawyer, you make sure you learn to memorise what you agreed to!" "Ha! You're going to become that kind of lawyer, hm? Good, I'll make sure every single detail will be written down when dealing with you. Besides, (points at fellow player who's starting to feel very embarassed) he witnessed it and he will now tell you..." "Ehm, sorry, I was ordering drinks while you guys were making a pact that essentially came down to an alliance to destroy me. I am pretty upset that you guys were making plans against me behind my back"... I think we didn't speak to each other for a week afterwards :laugh4:

[Sigurd]

I played it with friends when I was 12 years old. ... umm that is 25 years ago :sweatdrop:.
I wasn't that into WWII but 2 of my friends were great fans of everything that had to do with WWII.

I do remember it was fun though.. even if I constantly lost to my 2 friends who were students of WWII.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

:embarassed:

How is it possible that I never heard of this game until it was mentioned a week or so ago in some Frontroom thread?

Is it a bit like Risk?

I used to play Risk alot while at Uni; the emotion, the tension, the yelling and screaming and outrage when somebody broke a mutual "don't attack for x turns"- ceasefire pact. I can safely say that Risk can bring out the worst in people :laugh4:

The endless discussions... "You weren't going to attack me for 10 turns!" "No, we agreed that I wouldn't attack you in North America" "That's not true, that was not the ratio of the pact." "Ha, if you ever want to become a decent lawyer, you make sure you learn to memorise what you agreed to!" "Ha! You're going to become that kind of lawyer, hm? Good, I'll make sure every single detail will be written down when dealing with you. Besides, (points at fellow player who's starting to feel very embarassed) he witnessed it and he will now tell you..." "Ehm, sorry, I was ordering drinks while you guys were making a pact that essentially came down to an alliance to destroy me. I am pretty upset that you guys were making plans against me behind my back"... I think we didn't speak to each other for a week afterwards :laugh4:

Take risk, then make it 100 times more complicated. That is Axis and Allies :yes:

Basically AA is World war 2 risk with naval units and air units, and you can only put men on places you build a factory in. You also have predetermined alliances. That is leaving out a bunch, but it is it in a nutshell.

To me at least all the extra rules just succeed in making it 100 times more fun as well, but many people get scared off by its complexity. :no: (its the reason I never get a chance to play anymore.)

[A Very Super Market]

A&A doesn't seem especially complicated for me, apart from deciding what to use your money on. The easiest faction would actually be the Soviets, as they don't have to worry about anything other than land units.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

A&A doesn't seem especially complicated for me, apart from deciding what to use your money on. The easiest faction would actually be the Soviets, as they don't have to worry about anything other than land units.

Tell that to everyone else I know.

Sure once you got it, you got it. But for someone who has never played before the game has a pretty complex system :shrug: I don't think it is that tough either, but everyone I know says its too complicated.

:shame: Reason I never get any games.

[Krusader]

Tell that to everyone else I know.

Sure once you got it, you got it. But for someone who has never played before the game has a pretty complex system :shrug: I don't think it is that tough either, but everyone I know says its too complicated.

:shame: Reason I never get any games.

Agreed. In my hometown only 2, max 3 people I can get playing with me, as the remainder considers Risk too complicated. It all depends on who is going to play. Some might find it easy, while others will see it as complicated as hell...poor sods if they ever saw World in Flames rulebook.

[Xiahou]

actually you can, Game called TripleA (http://triplea.sourceforge.net/mywiki) is basically Axis and Allies online. :yes: Very fun, I load it up when I really feel like playing.


There is multiplayer, and I think they even have a PBM feature. Maybe we could get a game going :yes:

Wow, nice! :2thumbsup:
I loved playing the board game back in HS. Being able to play it on the PC is awesome.

One of you should post this over in the free software thread (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=59901). :yes:

[Meneldil]

I've always wanted to try this one, but I already had to buy all the Arkham Horror expansions.

And unfortunately, I haven't been able to play those since I came back from Canada. I know a few people who're into Lovecraft and the whole Cthulhu Mythos thingy in my hometown, but they don't speak or read english (and all my Arkham Horror boxes are in english).
The average non nerd people will consider anything more complicated than Risk as "too long, and too hard to play", so here I am, with my board games sitting on my shelves. I even thought about making a program that would allow me to fold and draw cards on my computer (as computer random > human card folding) and to translate them in french, but with all the expansions, I have like 2k cards to add to the database and to translate.

[Major Robert Dump]

Always loved the game, but to play with 5 solid players can seriously take 3-5 hours, mostly because of all the admin stuff you have to do with money, research, moving, counting, rolling, setting up the baord, etc.

The PC game makes it a lot easier, but for some reason I just don't trust those dice :sweatdrop:

[Major Robert Dump]

Wait, this isn't the game I thought it was....

I have actually played a PC version of A&A, it w released around 1998, very buggy, then later fixed and re-released. I have played it as recently as 2 years ago, played in hot seat mode with 4 other friends, kinda wierd playing hotseat w/ 5 ppl, but apparently it did have an online version because I remember playing online on the older one.

Should be a cheap buy.