WW2-Global

[aceault]

Germany, Sid level, v 2.5, week 42 of 1941 until week 10 of 1942

I finally turned east after having captured the British Isles and Iceland.

Russia was at that time already drowning in its own pollution. Just to give an example, Moscow had only a production of 60 shields per turn due to 3 polluted tiles.

That made it very easy for my troups (50 tanks Pz IIIh and 15 artillery) to roll over their cities until I reached the gates of Moscow and the Ural cities in the east. The Baltic cities are mine and I am besieging Leningrad. Since the end of 1942 I have been producing the new tank Pz IVf2 (more hit points) and that was too much for the rest of the Russian troups. Because of the hit point advantage (elite has 10 over 8 of the Russian tanks) I could attack their KV1 without problems.
Their airforce is totally down (about 12 bombers, 20 fighters left in all Russia).

Then Japan made peace, I hate these guys. War when it was bad for me, peace when I am about to refurnish the Kremlin. Anyway, i know my reports are more summaries, I am not such a writer like others (whose reports I really enjoy very much, thank you guys).

Next turn I will have Panther tanks and I guess that will mean the certain defeat of Russia. They have not brought into battle any new units, I do not know. Either their scientist have a the very unhealthy second job of driving a tank or they just do not feel like producing better defenders and other units.

Does Russia have a defender like Panzergrenadiers or Matilda?

Any way, still having great fun , altough I wish the US at least would clear pollution (New York has 3 tiles polluted too) because when I unload my troups there, I do not want to step into ....

sorry for my stupid question about pollution again (in the last report), I know that must been a little annoying as you had that or similar questions 1000 times already.

thanks and all the best,

aceault

 

[tom2050]

Germany, Sid level, v 2.5, week 42 of 1941 until week 10 of 1942

Russia was at that time already drowning in its own pollution. Just to give an example, Moscow had only a production of 60 shields per turn due to 3 polluted tiles.

aceault

Even so, on SID diff. the AI gets a massive bonus for production, so at 60 shields / turn, and with units being (i think 2.5 times cheaper), they still have the ability to pump out units on a comparable level with you. You should turn on workers for your next game (i tried to do it with a saved game, and dont think it takes effect). Page 412 tells how, near the bottom. I just did so with my current Japan game, makes it much more difficult!

Rocoteh, how come you just don't re-upload the .biq with the workers enabled? Just until 2.6 comes out. The workers dont seem to build as many mines and so forth, but do build roads and radar towers, and then usually railroads. Just to make it easier for players not having to go in to the editor and do it themselves.

 

[Maimonides]

Regarding resources in China:

1. Rocoteh, you mentioned putting Coal & Rubber in China. I wonder how this will affect Japan AI's priorities. Japan AI might not try to conquer so much in the South Pacific as they do now if they have a chance to get Rubber in China. It seems likely that Japan AI will ignore the South Pacific & make China it's priority with Rubber there. China is much closer to their capitol than New Guinea or Indonesia. In my playtests as China, Japan AI hit me hard with air & sea power in 1939, 1940 & erly 1941, but then shifted it's navy to the South Pacific. If there were Rubber in China, Japan has much less incentive to attack the Allies in the South Pacific giving them precious time to strengthen their forces there. It also gives Japan less incentive to conquer Thailand for it's Rubber. It could completely alter the way the war plays out in the Pacific theater. Of course, this would have to be tested to see.

I have played China to Week 23, 1942 so far & I can still only build the units I started the game with. Not having Rubber hurts, but I'm making gains nevertheless.

2. Japan already has Coal in Manchuria & northern, occupied China so putting Coal in southern China shouldn't alter their priorities as Rubber could. Coal gives China the Tank (14-7-2). China AI would be much better off building Chinese Infantry (2-7-1). It costs less, can be made faster & has the same defense. The Tank can't stand up to Japan's Type 97s anyway & is only effective when coordinated with artillery & Chinese Infantry. China AI isn't smart enough to use the Tank effectively against Japan, only players are. I don't think Coal will help China AI, but it would help a human playing as China allot. As reported in my playtest, China has no chance of any offense without Coal.

For human-controlled China, the key is to open trade with the USSR in the very 1st Turn & keep it open. In the playtest I am currently reporting, I forgot to do this. I traded with the USSR on the 2nd Turn & got their Coal, but they had already traded away their extra Rubber... I'm worried that having Coal & Rubber in southern China would make player-controlled China too easy.

Ideally, the Allies will open the Burma Road & keep China in the war through there. The AI obviously can't do that in this version with the Workers bugged & I'm not sure they would be smart enough to do it anyway. In my current playtest, I built the Burma Road myself to encourage the British in India to help me, but they didn't really use it until late 1941 after the Axis had been removed from Africa. Britain AI seems to prioritize Africa over Asia.

I have a suggestion for keeping China AI alive longer that might avoid changing resources &, thus, changing the courses of the war. Give the Chinese Infantry a slightly higher defense value. Currently, it is 7. 8 or 9 could make a ton of difference.

Communist China's Infantry has stats of 4-8-1 making them much better than Republican China's comparable unit (2-7-1). Communist China AI fares even worse than Republican China AI, but I think that is a factor of geography. Once Communist China's eastern cities fall, it's absolutely easy to mop up the rest with Type 97s because there are no mountains or even hills in the way. Republican China gets allot of defense from the mountains encircling it.

 

[tom2050]

Japan - SID difficulty, AI most aggressive, AI Workers enabled, ironman rules (no reloads)

Week 44, 1940 - Took Bulgan (Soviet Russia). Took Singapore (Great Britain). Took Surabaya (Netherlands). Soviet Russia takes Samsun and Ankara (Turkey). Great Britain takes Tobruk (Italy-Africa). The whole Axis power situation does not have a good outlook over in Europe.
Week 45, 1940 - Norway-Denmark declares war on Germany. Italy and Finland declare war on Norway-Denmark (I am already at war with Norway-Denmark). US takes Guatemala (Mexico). Great Britain takes Santa Rosalia (Mexico). ***Mexico defeated***. Great Britain takes Benghazi (Italy-Africa). Soviet Russia takes Adana (Turkey). Germany takes Liepaja and Riga (Soviet Russia). Finland is in a tough situation, facing Norway-Denmark and Soviet Russia on both sides.
Week 46, 1940 - Spain and China sign a peace treaty. Great Britain, France, US, Netherlands, and Belgium also sign peace treaty with China. Soviet Russia declares war on Great Britain. China, France, US, Persia, Netherlands, and Belgium declare war on Soviet Russia. Soviet Russia takes Mashhad (Persia). Soviet Russia takes and razes Esfahan (Persia). Soviet Russia has made some massive gains, hopefully being at war with both the Axis and Allies powers, they get slaughtered. With all this presure, I am
going to make a major push into Soviet territory, with the units I have available. Took Banjarmasin (Netherlands). Took high losses trying to take British-India city of Nagpur, but brought more tanks in and some more bombers over to ensure I take it next turn. This city will cut off reinforcements from southern India, so it holds high importance. Signed peace treaty with Spain (for all their gold).
Week 47, 1940 - Portugal asked for peace, declined for now. Turkey declared war on Great Britain. China, France, US, Persia, Netherlands, and Belgium declare war on Turkey. Soviet Russia takes and razes Damascus (France). Took Ulan Bator (Soviet Russia). Caught the French Light Cruiser Jeanne D Arc near Madagascar and sunk her. Soviet Russia is really doing some damage. Their forces have to be stretched though, with all the terriroty and fronts they are on.
Week 48, 1940 - Took Nagpur (Great Britain-India) but lost about a dozen units in the process. Great Britain has a ton of bombers, and I'm getting hit hard in India. I have quite a few fighters down there, but not enough. I now have access to the Zero, so it should help quite a bit.
Took 49, 1940 - Germany takes Pskov (Soviet Russia). It seems Soviet Russias rampage has come to a halt, being at war with both Axis and Allies is not a good thing for them. Sunk French Light Cruiser Duguay Tronin.
Week 50, 1940 - Took Port Moresby (Great Britain). I am bringing over every fighter I possible can. Great Britain is bombing Nagpur like no other (25 bombing runs per turn). This is a real pain, it almost has me at a stand still. I have switched every city building military units to build Zero's. I can't do much until I defeat Britains bombers. My Otsu subs have tracked 3 US Battleship C2s heading over to Japan after the Mexican defeat, my YamatoCs are waiting for them.
Week 51, 1940 - Germany takes Vilnius (Soviet Russia). I checked Great Britains bomber force, and they have 30 bombers, which means they are using almost all of them on me in India.
Week 52, 1940 - Finland signs a peace treaty with Soviet Russia. This brings me, Italy and Germany to peace with Soviet Russia. This is good! Now the Allies can deal with Soviet Russia themselves! Took Lucknow (Great Britain-India).
Week 1, 1941 - US declares war on Brazil. Only 12 bombers attacked Nagpur this turn, the rest must have been re-based elsewhere. I am setting up a submarine screen near US west coast.

Strengths:
Soviet Russia - 558 Armored Units, 405 Infantry, 27 ships/106 subs/15 transports, 25 bombers/117 fighters, 114 workers
Italy - 3 Armored Units, 69 Infantry, 0 ships/0 subs, 0 bombers/0 fighters, 6 workers
Germany - 137 Armored Units, 124 Infantry, 2 ships/3 subs/1 transports, 13 bombers/74 fighters, 15 workers
Great Britain - 163 Armored Units, 460 Infantry, 100 ships/3 subs/23 transports/10 carriers, 33 bombers/91 fighters, 100 workers
France - 16 Armored Units, 77 Infantry, 0 ships/32 subs/1 transport, 3 bombers/0 fighters, 9 workers
US - 201 Armored Units, 357 Infantry, 41 ships/4 carriers/8 transports, 22 bombers/48 fighters, 68 workers
Finland - 5 Armored Units, 72 Infantry, 8 ships/1 transport, 3 bombers/3 fighter, 10 workers
Japan - 25 Armored Units, 219 Infantry, 83 ships/48 subs/17 transports/6 carriers, 21 bombers/81 fighters, 96 workers

Comparison of enemy units killed, japanese units lost

 

[aceault]

Germany - Sid level - v. 2.5
week 20 of 1942

Moscow has fallen - after a long and tough battle - their fortresses surrounding the town were filled with strong fortified units , not dissolved like written in other reports. Those machine gun nests (or whatever they are called - fortresses or so)are really tough to knock down. I was glad to still find them there because I arrived with 15 Panther, 8 SS 1943 tanks, 15 Pz IV2, 30 other tanks, 15 artillery. It would not have been a challenge anymore.

Well, then moved on to middle Russia, conquered the Ural cities, then Stalingrad, Astrachan and further east. Russian resistence is crumbling everywhere. Leningrad is the new capital - could not take their fortresses although trying and trying. I lost about 20 bombers due to their Flak and ground-based air-defense. Fighters are destroyed. 20 artillery cannot redline those fortresses. So the siege is going on. Counterattacks from the Soviet side are now so poor ( 3 to 4 tank units approaching my stacks of 30 to 40 elite tank units of the latest kind).
Funny thing is, that they refuse to talk to me. It is not that I want peace, but I thought they might crave for it. Well, ....

Preparing invasion into US. I have about 100 tanks of the latest modells (70 panthers and 30 SS 1943), 200 other tanks, 70 Panzergrenadiers and about 50 artillery.
My British Isles built up a nice fleet of Hindenburgs and convoys and I thing I will go for it now.


By the way, I found an exploit or a cheat or whatever you wanna call it. If you switch on the advanced unit order button and you tell your worker to "build trade" in a fully developed surrounding (streets and everywhere), the workers are building railroads and really fast (like combat engineers).

I am not gonna use that though because AI is struggling already. By the way, took over the lead in the score (80000 to 72000 right now) a couple of turns ago.

I am still thinking about starting a new game with worker actions enabled. The only problem is that I have been playing so long already .....

any way, thanks for everybodys comments and advice, this is great guys, and like always concluding with the concession of all my respect to everybody who contributed creating this, first of all Rocoteh, thanks and all the best, keep on the great work, and there will never be boredom....

take care!

 

[aceault]

Just one more thing - general game play

I think Russia needs a stronger defender unit to counter Panther and SS 1943 tanks. Their infantry unit upgrade (from attack/defense 6 / 9 to 9/10) is not really an improvement. 9 is not in any way dangerous to towns defended with Panzergrenadiers or StuG III or even the ordinary German infantry. and Defense 10, that is too weak. I found myself not using artillery or air support when attacking Russian towns. They just could not stand up to the tanks i brought.

So I guess Russia needs a better infantery unit or a special defender, something like the German 88, maybe attack/defense 8/ 15 or even better.
The KV-1 would be strong at the defense, the Soviets just tend to use them offensively only.

So if you survive the early assault Russia launches usually in the game upon Germany, they will not survive your answer, especially when you got land 1943.

Russian bombers are also just cake for middle-class German fighters.

So, I guess it is the mass of units they throw at you. Once you reduce their numbers and cut into their territory the snap like firewood....


one more aspect:

the German StuG III cannot bombard like the Civilopedia says (at least my Civilopedia... ). So it is basically a weaker and slightly cheaper Panzergrenadier with less Hit-Points. I loved the concept of that unit with bombardment capability, but obviously changed.
Why?

 

[somdnole]

Rocoteh -
Playing as France, Regent, Week 17, 1945
since my last post -
In Europe and Africa -
Week 31, 1944 - Soviets demand ivory from me - I refuse, and the Soviets and Allies go back to war
The predictable Soviet bomber offensive against Milan begins anew in Week 31. I won't even bother to bore you with details - see my last few posts for a general flavor
Wk 33 - After my forces reduce the city to one redlined defender, the British re-capture Cairo from the Soviets
Wk 34 - British troops again on European soil - Brits take Amsterdam
Wk 37 - I capture the former Belgian town of Kamina from the Soviets
Wk 38 - British recapture Suez from Soviets
Wk 41 - I capture Antwerp from Germany, then gift it to Belgium, so that I don't lose a bunch of gold when the Germans retake it.....
Wk 42 - Germany recaptures Antwerp and Amsterdam
Wk 45 - Germany declares war on the Soviet Union
Wk 45 - Soviets paradrop 1 infantry unit on Corsica - my defenders handle it easily
Wk 48 - I capture Rome - ***ITALIANS FINISHED***
Wk 2, 1945 - French forces liberate Naples from the Nazi yoke
Wk 6 - I capture Bologna from the Soviets - Italy is now under French control, except for Venice, which the Soviets still occupy
Wk 8 - Allies sign peace treay with the Soviets
Wk 8 - Germans recapture Belgrade from Soviets
Wk 13 - Soviet forces take Belgrade back from Germany, then retake Zagreb from the Germans in Week 16
Wk 17 - Soviets and Germans sign peace treaty

In Asia and the Pacific -
Week 29 or 30, 1944 - US razes Osaka; British forces capture Qiqihar and Harbin
Wk 31 or 32 - US takes Hiroshima and Akita; Brits take Kitakyushu
Wk 36 - either British or US forces raze Kagoshima
Wk 42 - British capture central Asian city of Tjita; take Irkutsk in Week 45
Wk 46 - Soviets retake Kandahar from British
Wk 48 - British take the last Japanese-held island - Kwajalein - Japanese reduced to a handful of former Communist Chinese citites
Wk 50 - Brits capture Taluma from Soviet Union, then take Dzag in Week 52
Week 1, 1945 - Soviet forces retake Semipalatinsk from Germany
Wk 2 - Brits take the farthest-east Soviet city - Anadyr
Wks 4, 5, or 6 - Brits take Kandahar back from Soviet forces
Wk 10 - Soviets take Tian Shou from Japan
Wk 12 - Unbelievably to me, CHINESE forces take Mangnai from Japan!!
Wk 12 - Soviets capture Kashgar ***JAPANESE FINISHED***

Some general observations/comments:
- pollution is becoming a problem for Germany - Stuttgart is a size 1 town because it's surrounded by polluted tiles
- German production seem to have shifted mainly to Panzergrenadiers, although Germany does occasionally still send 1 or 2 Panzer IVf2's against Verdun, but I use the meat-grinder tactic I developed in 1939/1940 - grind 'em up with artillery, then finish 'em with my armor
- I haven't seen the Luftwaffe in several weeks
- I'm surprised that the British have been so aggressive going after the Soviet cities in central Asia/Siberia
- I continue to be amazed at the absolute and rapid collapse of Japan. Having the Chinese AI take a city from Japan HAS to be very rare!!

I'm hoping that British and US forces will begin to pressure the Germans, now that the Japanese are no more. I am building up forces for an attack on Brussells, but I'm not altogether sure I can hold it against a serious German counter-offensive. My best defender is the M-10 Wolverine, but I've had a streak of ridiculous combat results involving M-10's - anything the Germans seem to throw at an M-10 wins the battle.
Also, I'm preparing for the next round of war with the Soviets. I have forces in Kamina to attack the former Portugese town of Huambo, and Bologna is bursting at the seams with M-4 Sherman's and artillery, for an attack on Venice.

More to come...

 

[tom2050]

the German StuG III cannot bombard like the Civilopedia says (at least my Civilopedia... ). So it is basically a weaker and slightly cheaper Panzergrenadier with less Hit-Points. I loved the concept of that unit with bombardment capability, but obviously changed.
Why?

The StuG III cannot bombard as artillery does, but it has defensive bombard only. So lets say you have a few StuG IIIs fortified in a city, if an enemy attacks, 1 of the StuG IIIs will fire a bombard shot (possibly knocking a hit point off of the attacking unit), and then the toughest defending unit will defend. You can use this to your advantage when placing units at defensive strongpoints, or even on the attack to damage attacking enemies (So if you are attacking an enemy city with panzers, bringing a few StuG IIIs along for defense will safeguard your panzers, and they will fire bombard shots at an enemy first before the defender fights the attacking unit).

This may not seem like much, but if you have ever used the CivIII Combat Calculator to show your chances of killing an enemy unit, the amount of hit points a unit has makes a huge difference! I actually preferred the StuG III over the Panzergrenadier mainly because of the defensive bombard capability and because it is much cheaper in cost. But the Panzergrenadier has anti-aircraft capabilities and 1 more HP, so it depends on the situation.

 

[tom2050]

Japan - SID difficulty, AI most aggressive, AI Workers enabled, ironman rules (no reloads)

Week 2, 1941 - Germany declares war on Soviet Russia. I declare war on Soviet Russia from Mutual Protection pact along with Finland and Italy. Well, that peace didn't last long. Germany takes and razes Copenhagen (Norway-Denmark). Took Batavia (Netherlands). Otsu subs reach the tip of Africa. Otsu subs entering near the Suez sink transports to protect Italian African cities.
Week 3, 1941 - Netherlands and Turkey sign a peace treaty. China, Great Britain, France, US, Persia, and Belgium make peace with Turkey. Finally my fighters have been able to shoot down some British bombers, I should be able to gain air superiority within the next few turns. Took Palembang (Netherlands). Took Hyderabad (Great Britain-India). Dealt a blow to Indias forces by taking out about 10 Valentines and Matilda armor pieces.
Week 4, 1941 - Soviet Russia and Persia sign a peace treaty. China, Great Britain, France, US, Netherlands, and Belgium make peace with Soviet Russia. Ha! Same week, Soviet Russia declares war on the Great Britain! The other Allies do not go to war with Russia at this time. Sunk British Carrier Argus near Italian city Caluula.
Week 5, 1941 - China, France, US, Persia, Netherlands, and Belgium declare war on Soviet Russia.
Week 7, 1941 - Norway-Denmark and Finland sign a peace treaty. Me, Italy and Germany go to peace with Norway-Denmark. Took Dehli (Great Britain-India).
Week 8, 1941 - Took Madras (Great Britain-India). Took Padang (Netherlands). ***Netherlands Defeated***. Italy loses city of Rimini to unknown. Germany took Rimini from unknown. Soviet Russia takes Radom (Germany). Sunk 9 French Submarines off African coast near city of Lubango. Germany only has 29 Panzer Gs, and 77 German Mechs... which is way down from 10 turns ago. At least Germany retook the city Italy lost, but I dont think with the way things are going in Europe that I am going to be able to launch a US attack until much later. The best thing I can do is push into the middle east, and help my allies in Europe and Africa. If I can do this, I will give many of those cities to Germany and Italy to strengthen them, and possibly think about a US invasion later. Right now, there is no way I would be able to come up with a force strong enough to launch any type of successful US invasion by 1942. My naval forces have been doing extremely well with almost no losses. I have been tracking any US ships coming across the Pacific with Otsu subs, and set up my Battleships and Yamato's in strength to sink them.
Week 9, 1941 - Took Madurai (Great Britain-India). My Otsu's sunk 9 more French subs off African coast. I am now mass producing Type 97 tanks, most all cities in China have all production facilities built. The Japanese mainland is now producing naval units only (Yamatos, Heavy Cruisers, and Otsu Subs).
Week 10, 1941 - Germany retakes Radom (Soviet Russia). Italy and Soviet Russia sign a peace treaty. Me, Germany and Finland sign a peace treaty with Soviet Russia. A huge British group of 5 transports, 6+ King George Vs, destroyers, and Light Cruisers are heading down the western African coast. They are probably heading over to the African Italian cities, but I will watch them to make sure they don't come over to India. Hopefully Germany doesn't declare war on Soviet Russia again, let them wear the Allies down.
Week 11, 1941 - Norway-Denmark declares war on Germany. Mutual Protection Pact brings Me, Finland, and Italy to war with Norway-Denmark.

Strengths:
Soviet Russia - 404 Armored Units, 465 Infantry, 28 ships/103 subs/13 transports, 17 bombers/93 fighters, 112 workers
Italy - 6 Armored Units, 58 Infantry, 0 ships/0 subs, 0 bombers/0 fighters, 6 workers
Germany - 136 Armored Units, 127 Infantry, 3 ships/7 subs/1 transport, 6 bombers/67 fighters, 14 workers
Great Britain - 145 Armored Units, 457 Infantry, 91 ships/2 subs/23 transports/8 carriers, 18 bombers/111 fighters, 96 workers
France - 16 Armored Units, 76 Infantry, 0 ships/13 subs/1 transport, 4 bombers/0 fighters, 14 workers
US - 311 Armored Units, 475 Infantry, 43 ships/5 carriers/7 transports, 22 bombers/51 fighters, 69 workers
Finland - 5 Armored Units, 58 Infantry, 7 ships/1 transport, 1 bombers/2 fighter, 10 workers
Japan - 54 Armored Units, 239 Infantry, 95 ships/62 subs/16 transports/6 carriers, 25 bombers/97 fighters, 95 workers

Comparison of enemy units killed, japanese units lost

 

[tom2050]

Germany - Sid level - v. 2.5
week 20 of 1942

Moscow has fallen - after a long and tough battle - their fortresses surrounding the town were filled with strong fortified units , not dissolved like written in other reports. Those machine gun nests (or whatever they are called - fortresses or so)are really tough to knock down.

It's good to hear they were not all disbanded! I was actually looking forward to that tough fight when I was playing Germany, and then I came across nothing but deserted fortresses (which helped me, since I received the defensive bonus approching Moscow). But it made it way too easy with no defenders.

 

[Rocoteh]

Even so, on SID diff. the AI gets a massive bonus for production, so at 60 shields / turn, and with units being (i think 2.5 times cheaper), they still have the ability to pump out units on a comparable level with you. You should turn on workers for your next game (i tried to do it with a saved game, and dont think it takes effect). Page 412 tells how, near the bottom. I just did so with my current Japan game, makes it much more difficult!

Rocoteh, how come you just don't re-upload the .biq with the workers enabled? Just until 2.6 comes out. The workers dont seem to build as many mines and so forth, but do build roads and radar towers, and then usually railroads. Just to make it easier for players not having to go in to the editor and do it themselves.

tom2050,

Its possible I will make that soon.

I did not not get the impression earlier that it was a severe problem.
However it seems to be that.

Rocoteh

 

[Rocoteh]

aceault,

"I think Russia needs a stronger defender unit to counter Panther and SS 1943 tanks. Their infantry unit upgrade (from attack/defense 6 / 9 to 9/10) is not really an improvement. 9 is not in any way dangerous to towns defended with Panzergrenadiers or StuG III or even the ordinary German infantry. and Defense 10, that is too weak. I found myself not using artillery or air support when attacking Russian towns. They just could not stand up to the tanks i brought.

So I guess Russia needs a better infantery unit or a special defender, something like the German 88, maybe attack/defense 8/ 15 or even better.
The KV-1 would be strong at the defense, the Soviets just tend to use them offensively only."
aceault

The main problem is that if I implement such changes it will be much
harder for a AI-controlled Germany to handle a war with Soviet.
As it is now Germany AI most of the time will not play well against Soviet.
Thus this problem would increase.


"any way, thanks for everybodys comments and advice, this is great guys, and like always concluding with the concession of all my respect to everybody who contributed creating this, first of all Rocoteh, thanks and all the best, keep on the great work, and there will never be boredom....

take care!"
aceault

I am very glad to hear that.

Thank you for your comments and reports.


Rocoteh

 

[Rocoteh]

Maimonides,

Concerning resources in China and stats:

Notes have been taken.

As you say adding coal and rubber may alter Japan AI strategy.
Will look ove this issue again before I make a final decision.

Its possible the Chinese infantry should be somewhat stronger if
the result is a better playbalance.

Thank you for your comments and welcome back.

Rocoteh

 

[Rocoteh]

tom2050,

I think your reports shows the problem with Germany AI.
It does not play well against Soviet!

However as I see it now its very hard to change this since changes will
trigger other problems.

Interesting that Britain AI seems to build Bombers in this playtest.

On strengths:

Maybe the US forces have already become to strong.
To invade the US West Coast will be very, very hard.

My overall impression is that AI build to few naval units.

Thank you for the reports and welcome back.


Rocoteh

 

[Rocoteh]

somdnole,

"- German production seem to have shifted mainly to Panzergrenadiers, although Germany does occasionally still send 1 or 2 Panzer IVf2's against Verdun, but I use the meat-grinder tactic I developed in 1939/1940 - grind 'em up with artillery, then finish 'em with my armor
- I haven't seen the Luftwaffe in several weeks
- I'm surprised that the British have been so aggressive going after the Soviet cities in central Asia/Siberia
- I continue to be amazed at the absolute and rapid collapse of Japan. Having the Chinese AI take a city from Japan HAS to be very rare!!"
somdnole

Agree.
Such a collapse have seldom been reported earlier.

"I'm hoping that British and US forces will begin to pressure the Germans, now that the Japanese are no more. I am building up forces for an attack on Brussells, but I'm not altogether sure I can hold it against a serious German counter-offensive. My best defender is the M-10 Wolverine, but I've had a streak of ridiculous combat results involving M-10's - anything the Germans seem to throw at an M-10 wins the battle.
Also, I'm preparing for the next round of war with the Soviets. I have forces in Kamina to attack the former Portugese town of Huambo, and Bologna is bursting at the seams with M-4 Sherman's and artillery, for an attack on Venice."
somdnole

That should be a good idea.
I will not be surprised if Soviet defeat Germany and then will try to
invade France.


Thank you for the report and welcome back.


Rocoteh

 

[Rocoteh]

Version 2.6 have been uploaded.

There are only three changes:


1. AI will again build and use worker units.

2. Its no longer possible to build railroads.

3. You can not build the railroad construction unit.

Note this is not a permanent solution. Its possible that the special
railroad tech (discussed earlier) will be introduced in version 2.7.


Rocoteh

 

[aceault]

hello everybody, hope you guys are enjoying your weekend, guess what I am doing...

Germany - Sid level - v. 2.5 - normal AI agression

summary of weeks 20 - 45 of 1942

After the fall of Moscow, the new capital of Russia - although fully cut of from the rest of Russian cities (behind the Ural), Leningrad became their new capital. Took me about 6 weeks capture Leningrad due to massive counterstrikes of Russian tanks.

After that, Russia was dead. I marched easily through their territorry and reached the city of Irkutsk (all cities until there are of course mine too) in week 45 of 1942. They have overall 5 tank units left (180 infantry). Their military is so weak that it is only a question of time when I will reach the Pacific coast with my 50 Panther, 25 Jagdpanther, 20 SS 1942, 10 Mobile Rockets army. I am pumping Panzergrenadiers and StuG IIIs into the conquered cities to defend and so not to have to leave parts of my army behind as defenders. I do not use bombers against their towns (although Ihave the He- 177 with bombard 45) in order not to destroy their barracks which I need to progress fast. My Mobile Rockets do the job of redlining the defenders so that my troups get nearly bored.

I decided to take a new campaign because I had too many extra units. I captured Thailand and sent a convoy to Surabaya which I took from the Dutch. Then I could watch the Japanese taking out all surrounding Dutch towns and Fakfak from the British, and I have to pay them my compliments, great strategy. THey had carriers and bombed the ... out of the towns, then brought about 8 Yamatos with naval bombardment, then amphibious assault. Fast, efficient, great warfare.

Because Japan did the job with the islands I thought about mainland Australia. See, I try to play the game like those real German maniacs who wanted the whole world... So why not Australia. I landed there 8 tanks. 3 SS 1943, 3 PAnters, 2 Pz IV h. Was enough to take a small west coast town (Broome). I brought 10 He- 177 to deflect engaging enemy troups and 6 fighters to counter their imminent bombing.

Now the blast that took some of my fun:

I was really excited about planning an invasion of the US. I checked their military via spy and saw that I outnumber their forces and have the far better units. US has about 150 tanks (50 per cent the old stuff), I have 200 modern ones, about 250 older ones. Their fleet consists of 10 Iowa class, I have 20 Hindenburgs, so the trip to the US^will be a cruise.

Anyway, I have been out producing the AI opponents. I have a stronger military than all my opponents together. I have researechd all techs of 1944 already. Research pace is every 4 turns with an income of 1250 per turn.

I am thinking about stopping now because there is no challenge anymore. I can play like on Chieftain level, like those fools who bild ten tanks and then conquer the world with them. Victory is mine, I guess. I might declare to myself soo.

Just one remark at the end:

Is it not ironic that in my game the turning point was a Russian intrusion deep into my territory (they were engaging Dresden in 1941) which ended in the termination of all they brought after I cut their way in their backs. It was their Stalingrad from which they never recovered, after that they had to retreat and retreat, like the Germans historically after Stalingrad...

Regarding v. 2.6:

Thank you, Rocoteh, for all your effort. You get hammered from all the people with ideas about what should be changed. And you dedicate yourself to updating and developing. I find that so great because this scenario must go on. It is so fascinating.

Now: I have to admit. I love railroads. I am a player who loves everything that increases production, no, it is not the movement bonus that much (which is strategically very important, I know, I am not a complete fool). I need to to have railroads to get my cities production really going.

So I guess I will wait to v. 2.7.

Thanks anyway


One last question: My heavy bombers He- 177 ( bombardment 45) cannot board any carriers, ist that a bug or they are just to big?

 

[Rocoteh]

aceault,

"hello everybody, hope you guys are enjoying your weekend, guess what I am doing...

Germany - Sid level - v. 2.5 - normal AI agression

summary of weeks 20 - 45 of 1942

After the fall of Moscow, the new capital of Russia - although fully cut of from the rest of Russian cities (behind the Ural), Leningrad became their new capital. Took me about 6 weeks capture Leningrad due to massive counterstrikes of Russian tanks.

After that, Russia was dead. I marched easily through their territorry and reached the city of Irkutsk (all cities until there are of course mine too) in week 45 of 1942. They have overall 5 tank units left (180 infantry). Their military is so weak that it is only a question of time when I will reach the Pacific coast with my 50 Panther, 25 Jagdpanther, 20 SS 1942, 10 Mobile Rockets army. I am pumping Panzergrenadiers and StuG IIIs into the conquered cities to defend and so not to have to leave parts of my army behind as defenders. I do not use bombers against their towns (although Ihave the He- 177 with bombard 45) in order not to destroy their barracks which I need to progress fast. My Mobile Rockets do the job of redlining the defenders so that my troups get nearly bored."
aceault


A very fast victory in the East.

"I decided to take a new campaign because I had too many extra units. I captured Thailand and sent a convoy to Surabaya which I took from the Dutch. Then I could watch the Japanese taking out all surrounding Dutch towns and Fakfak from the British, and I have to pay them my compliments, great strategy. THey had carriers and bombed the ... out of the towns, then brought about 8 Yamatos with naval bombardment, then amphibious assault. Fast, efficient, great warfare."
aceault

Good play from Japan AI.
That is positive.

"Because Japan did the job with the islands I thought about mainland Australia. See, I try to play the game like those real German maniacs who wanted the whole world... So why not Australia. I landed there 8 tanks. 3 SS 1943, 3 PAnters, 2 Pz IV h. Was enough to take a small west coast town (Broome). I brought 10 He- 177 to deflect engaging enemy troups and 6 fighters to counter their imminent bombing."
aceault

An invasion of Australia is an interesting move.

"I was really excited about planning an invasion of the US. I checked their military via spy and saw that I outnumber their forces and have the far better units. US has about 150 tanks (50 per cent the old stuff), I have 200 modern ones, about 250 older ones. Their fleet consists of 10 Iowa class, I have 20 Hindenburgs, so the trip to the US^will be a cruise.

Anyway, I have been out producing the AI opponents. I have a stronger military than all my opponents together. I have researechd all techs of 1944 already. Research pace is every 4 turns with an income of 1250 per turn.

I am thinking about stopping now because there is no challenge anymore. I can play like on Chieftain level, like those fools who bild ten tanks and then conquer the world with them. Victory is mine, I guess. I might declare to myself soo."
aceault

Agree.
AI should have no chance now.

"Just one remark at the end:

Is it not ironic that in my game the turning point was a Russian intrusion deep into my territory (they were engaging Dresden in 1941) which ended in the termination of all they brought after I cut their way in their backs. It was their Stalingrad from which they never recovered, after that they had to retreat and retreat, like the Germans historically after Stalingrad..."
aceault

Yes at that point in the playtest it was a really problematic situation
that you managed to solved.

"Regarding v. 2.6:

Thank you, Rocoteh, for all your effort. You get hammered from all the people with ideas about what should be changed. And you dedicate yourself to updating and developing. I find that so great because this scenario must go on. It is so fascinating.

Now: I have to admit. I love railroads. I am a player who loves everything that increases production, no, it is not the movement bonus that much (which is strategically very important, I know, I am not a complete fool). I need to to have railroads to get my cities production really going.

So I guess I will wait to v. 2.7.

Thanks anyway"
aceault

Thank you.
Railroads will probably return in version 2.7 with a special rail-tech.

"One last question: My heavy bombers He- 177 ( bombardment 45) cannot board any carriers, ist that a bug or they are just to big?"
aceault

Its not a bug.
Its with intention.


Thank you for the report and welcome back.


Rocoteh

 

[tom2050]

One last question: My heavy bombers He- 177 ( bombardment 45) cannot board any carriers, ist that a bug or they are just to big?

I updated the text file of the civilopedia to tell if aircraft can land on carriers or not, but can't remember if I gave it to Rocoteh to add to the download section.

 

[tom2050]

Japan - SID difficulty, AI most aggressive, AI Workers enabled, ironman rules (no reloads)

Week 12, 1941 - Took Katmandu (Great Britain-India). Strange, Katmandu showed an airport icon when the city was under British control, but no longer does after I took it. So it is not allowing for any air trade. I feel like I just got ripped off or something! Took Colombo (Great Britain-India). Great Britain made a Cromwell Tank in Katmandu before I took it, which means they have Sea 1943!
Week 13, 1941 - US and Brazil sign a peace treaty. Took Bombay (Great Britain-India).
Week 14, 1941 - Soviet Russia takes Kandahar (Persia).
Week 15, 1941 - Signed peace treaty with Spain. Took Lhasa (China). Took Jaipur (Great Britain-India).
Week 16, 1941 - Took Mangnai (China).
Week 18, 1941 - Germany declares war on Soviet Russia. Mutual Protection Pact requires I, Finland, and Italy declare war on Soviet Russia. Soviet Russia and China sign a peace treaty. Great Britain, France, US, Persia, and Belgium sign peace treaty with Soviet Russia. Took Karachi (Great Britain-India). Germany takes Minsk (Soviet Russia). What in the world??? Germany takes Voronezh (Soviet Russia), which is way deep behind the front lines. Germany must of had a bunch of units just sitting back there when they declared war. There is a massive amount of British ships and transports heading over to India. Total, I count 8 King George Vs, 1 Lion Class, Repulse Battlecruiser, 1 Battleship, 5 transports, and destroyers in 4 seperate groups. Another 2 King George, 1 Lion Class, and a Convoy have been spotted on the western side of southern Africa. I have 2 Yamatos, 2 Battleships, and several Heavy Cruisers, with many more Yamatos on the way, but will have to rely on my bombers in India to damage these ships and then sink them with the large amount of Otsu subs I have in the area. British battleship Ramillies sank.
Week 20, 1941 - Great Britain declares war on Soviet Russia. China, France, US, Persia, and Belgium declare war on Soviet Russia. Took Lahore (Great Britain-India). Took Khotan (China). ***China Defeated***. Took Rawalpindi (Great Britain-India). British India has almost been fully conquered, I will reassess my situation as to where to proceed from here.
Week 21, 1941 - This is good! Germany is taking ground. Germany takes Brest-Litovsk (Soviet Russia). Looks like the tides have turned. Soviet Russia has taken half of Persia and most of Turkey. I am going to take the Persian coastal cities for a way through to Africa. From there I will start hitting the coastal cities of the Mediterranean, so enemy ships have no where to hide. I am building the hidden palace in India, so the production there should not suffer from too much corruption. I will build up the coastal cities as quickly as possible for naval production. If I can take Suez, I can start sending ships through to help my Axis allies. There is no possible way for me to invade US, Japan is finally about as big as the US, my units are inferior and I dont have enough units to take on such an extensive undertaking. When 1942 nears, I will start rethinking. I will take Alaska, and try working my way down into Canada, but we'll see. My military strength is now registered as average to Germany, Soviet Russia, and Great Britain. Still weak vs US.

Strengths:
Soviet Russia - 351 Armored Units, 548 Infantry, 28 ships/104 subs/11 transports, 42 bombers/138 fighters, 110 workers
Italy - 3 Armored Units, 60 Infantry, 0 ships/0 subs, 0 bombers/6 fighters, 6 workers
Germany - 160 Armored Units, 130 Infantry, 5 ships/7 subs/3 transport, 15 bombers/79 fighters, 89 workers
Great Britain - 124 Armored Units, 421 Infantry, 94 ships/1 subs/23 transports/6 carriers, 7 bombers/123 fighters, 89 workers
France - 10 Armored Units, 77 Infantry, 0 ships/1 subs/1 transport, 5 bombers/0 fighters, 17 workers
US - 421 Armored Units, 487 Infantry, 45 ships/6 carriers/8 transports, 24 bombers/48 fighters, 69 workers
Finland - 3 Armored Units, 56 Infantry, 4 ships/0 transport, 0 bombers/2 fighter, 8 workers
Japan - 71 Armored Units, 261 Infantry, 111 ships/91 subs/16 transports/6 carriers, 34 bombers/102 fighters, 94 workers

Comparison of enemy units killed, japanese units lost