Archive for Axis & Allies ForuMINI Specialised in the World War II Axis & Allies Miniatures and War At Sea Games
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pushkintank
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American Air PowerMy buddies and I are relatively new the the game; we play basic rules but get together almost every week now.
Does anyone have an opinion on this build with two P-51's playing a simple take the objective game on a random map. (we use movable 3-D map hexes, which I think are totally cool) What are the major criticisms of using two aircraft?
P-51D mustang x2 (34)
M4A1 Sherman x2 (42)
M5 Half-track x2 (14)
Buffalo soldiers x2 (8)
mines (2) or tank obstacle x2 (2) Total: 100
Any comments? I'm thick skinned; you can't hurt my feelings be candid. I only get to play once for 3 or 4 hours. I'd like to win 
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Sharpe
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1. You have only eight units.
2. Two of them can't contest the objective.
3. Two more are very weak defensively.
4. The other four are medium defensive units.
5. Initiative will be a problem.
Given average luck on both sides, I think this build cannot destroy enough of the enemy to then be able to hold the objective at the end. You would not do well against a build with 14-15 units in it or a heavy-tank build or a build with air cover. That said, against some builds you will look like a genius.
I would scrap one Mustang and the HT's and use the 31 points to add units. You could get 1x EENCO and 6x Garands, eg, or some other combination.
Taking a plane is always risky.
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pushkintank
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Thank you! Wonderful response.
I certainly would have learned the hard way!
so,
One plane is risky (I didn't know that)
Two planes are a no-no (didn't know that either)
Six garands with an officer, EENCO, maybe a Red devil captain? (should've seen the advantage of stars and stripes with my own eyes; I play and win with Soviets using the deadly commisar all the time, and he has to pop somebody to get the SA bonus!)
I'll keep one plane, for grins, and make the other changes; sounds like a fun build.
Thanks again, Sharpe!
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Sharpe
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You're welcome, but remember nothing is set in stone. I always shoot for a balanced build rather than an extreme. You can always find yourself with the wrong army on the wrong map against the wrong opponent. That hurts.
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Demotox
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Re: American Air PowerYour problem here is my one vet tiger. Your AT ability is terminally lacking. Add to that that the Germans recieved alot of excellent AA ability with NA and you'll find yourself in a bit of trouble.
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Cpt. John Miller
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I would comment that a Mustang and 2 Shermans is a perfect core to any American Army. There are lots of ways to go with the remaining points. A simple observation is that the Garand is much better than the Buffalo Soldiers for the same price. Experiment and enjoy.
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Demotox
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Re: American Air PowerThe word "Spanked" doesn't quite get it with this build. It works, that's a good thing. However, I am one who doesn't really believe in air power in the AAM game. 32 points is a bit of a lot in a base game that could be spent on a Sherman Command tank for one point more. I'd go with the command tank due to the incredible flexibility you'll find with it right before it takes a round between the eyes from your opponent's Tiger.
First the command tank has initiative modifiers. Initiative modifiers are important. I've found that non german players that aren't running an IS-2 or a Pershing need initiative to get around terrain. Unfortunately the germans have an easy +3 initiative commander in the precon. So initiative him right back with a Red Devil Captain (also in the precon) or a Sherman command tank if you have access... Its like a convertable mustang... Very choice.
So honestly, i'd drop the airforce since those pieces really don't have any sort of anti tank punch unless they're misfiring and trying to take out your half tracks. Otherwise they'll be ate alive (remember, you only need to score 5 hits to smoke them). Air units make tasty treats.
In sumation I like what you've built. My first reaction was to be smartass about the fighters and tell you to put in half tracks for the infantry but lo and behold what is carrying the infantry already? Friggin' half tracks. Bravo. On the other hand I have to agree with my contemporaries that more infantry might be something to go with. Perhaps axe those tank traps/mines for some.
CHEERS!~
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pushkintank
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non-German IS-2 and Pershing and I love wargamingDemotox,
Now you've made me go on ebay and buy an IS-2, and I bought a SU-152 (51pts!) that might help with those dug in buggers that keep making their cover rolls (I read about this in Tactics 103 or 104 on th AH website).
Now, I get the feeling from reading the forums that us guys who go and buy pieces on ebay for competition (not just collecting) aren't laid back enough and don't play just for fun, but let me tell you...
...a good number of my comrades and I are in professions where we have to be super nice to not so nice people everyday all day, so when we get together we breathe fire, spit salt and vinegar, contest, lock horns, body slam, and drink beer and eat pretzels...all this while laughing and grinning.   There's always hugs, handshakes and "so, who can make it next week" afterwards.  Honestly, its a terrific outlet and at least a couple of us have mentioned we feel better at work the next week.
Oh, and journaling is a good coping mechanism,
and regular exercise,
Have a great weekend everyone!
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