Roger's Scenario Thread

[board 3659]

@RogerCooper Is there any maps that you have changed your mind on in terms of enjoyment?
(I also wouldn't mind a sort of quick list of your favorite to least favorite maps)

[RogerCooper]

@board-3659 I can't really say I changed my mind dramatically on a map. As the AI has gotten better and my computer has gotten faster, I respond more favorably to large maps.

I don't like the idea of ranking and rating maps. All maps have good and bad features.

I will highlight a few maps which try to do things a little differently with success. The Grand War is relatively small scale map with completely divergent alternate history. WW2 Path to Victory improves on the WW2 Global Game. The Shogun Advanced tries to make the Sengoku period as it really was, a war of mountain passes and fortresses.

[RogerCooper]

Name World at War
Description World War II starting in 1939 on a large world map
https://axisandallies.fandom.com/wiki/World_At_War

Good Points

• Conflict all over the map
• Reasonably balanced
• Unit density is reasonable
• Losing a capital does not knock a nation out of the war
• AI plays fairly well, transports have a defense factor

Bad Points

• Large map makes for a long game
• It can be hard to really defeat a major power
• A lot of ahistorical map anomalies

[board 3659]

@rogercooper Have you reviewed any maps that are 1600s era? I know Caribbean Trade War but I really think a Thiry Years War Map would be cool

[RogerCooper]

@board-3659 The only TripleA scenarios set in the 17th century involve Sengoku-period Japan. The Thirty Years War might make for a good scenario. I always like something other than another WW2 scenario.

[RogerCooper]

Name 41 Oztea Island
Description Global game starting in 1941 with better balance and objectives for Pacific islands.
https://axisandallies.fandom.com/wiki/41_Oztea_Island

Good Points

• Reasonably balanced
• Action starts right away for everyone

Bad Points

• No major problems

[board 3659]

I am curious if you have reviewed Civil War: A House Divided. I say I like it even if it has a pretty steep learning curve even for a veteran of Axis and Allies-styled games. Idk how balanced it is but I won with US and CSA once each on fast ai

[RogerCooper]

@board-3659 I don't think it is playable by the AI with all the complex unit types.

[board 3659]

@rogercooper it is. I did "lose" once but that was due to having no idea on the rule set. However, once you get a basic idea of it, yeah the AI just isn't really the best at it. It can halt your progress but I never felt too overwealmed

[RogerCooper]

Name Aggression 1939
Description World War 2 starting in 1939 on a world map, with upkeep costs and other rules changes.
https://axisandallies.fandom.com/wiki/Aggression_1939

Good Points

• Upkeep costs are realistic and keep unit density reasonable
• Nations enter the war in a historical fashion
• Cheap aircraft with limited effect, alter combat dynamics in an interesting way
• You can only build in your home factories, making logistics more significant

Bad Points

• It is hard for the Axis to build up any momentum
• The inability to build new factories restricts strategic choices

[RogerCooper]

Name Six Army 2 Alliance
Description An abstract struggle between 2 alliances on the Revised map
https://axisandallies.fandom.com/wiki/Six_Army_2_Alliance

Good Points

• Not just another WW2 game
• Straightforward rules set

Bad Points

• Everyone starts with a big opening bid, which throws off the AI

Note: If playing against the AI, don't build anything in the bid phase, holding onto the PU's.

[RogerCooper]

Name Middle Earth-Battle for Arda
*Description * The War of the Ring, on large map
https://axisandallies.fandom.com/wiki/Middle_Earth_-_Battle_for_Arda

Good Points

• Beautiful map
• Interesting unit interactions and terrain rules
• Reasonably balanced

Bad Points

• AI has some trouble with this (turning off the mountain restriction helps)
• Feels too much like WW2 in Middle Earth

[board 3659]

@rogercooper I think Battle of Adra and other Middle Earth maps tend to be hit with the WW2 game style the most. I think that they really should feel more like Medival/Renaissance-style warfare with unique units tbh.

I think part of it is the lack of a late-entry dynamic. I think one of the official board games does this and it's a really interesting mechanic for the Good/Valor side.

Anyway, I seen people also complain that Angmar is too weak and gets easily crushed

{Note this is likley an older version I am referring to since it seems like Angmar and Isengard got buffed)

[RogerCooper]

@board-3659 The War of the Ring game does have late entry but it also has a number of the features that improve the game.

• Card play
• A deadline caused by Ring being taken to Mordor
• Stacking limits
• Build limits
• Good units can't be replaced

[RogerCooper]

Name World At War Variant - v3
Description World War 2 starting in 1939 on a large map with many rules changes

https://axisandallies.fandom.com/wiki/World_At_War_Variant_-_v3

Good Points

• A wide variety of useful units
• Factories restricted in what they can build (but you can improve them to build more)
• Conflict all over the map
• Limited combat rounds

Bad Points

• The AI gets confused and does not build correctly

[board 3659]

@rogercooper I don't mind if Good units can be built tbh but I think reducing Good's production, especially in places like Freefolk or Dale would do a good job in making the whole "Race to Mordor" more prevalent

[RogerCooper]

Name Napoleonic Empires FFA 8player
Description The Napoleonic Wars in Europe
https://axisandallies.fandom.com/wiki/Napoleonic_Empires_FFA_8player

Good Points

• Not a true free-for-all, players make alliances
• Colorful units

Bad Points

• The AI tends to slip to a war of all against all situation and generally handles political actions poorly

[board 3659]

@rogercooper I remember doing a Swedish/Turkish game when I first played Triple A. It was pretty enjoyable.

Anyway, the FFA version feels much more like how the regular Napoleonic Era map should have been like to be honest. at least a 3rd Neutrality League faction should have been added

[RogerCooper]

@board-3659 TripleA's political model is not very flexible and the AI can't really handle freedom of action. The best policy to make peace with all but one foe.

Next year, I will semi-retire and I am thinking about getting involved in the coding end of TripleA. A flexible, automated set of political rules where the nations will join and leave loosely-defined camps would be a possible project.

[RogerCooper]

Name Neuschwabenland North vs South
Description Conflict by land and sea over a fictional set of continents
https://axisandallies.fandom.com/wiki/Neuschwabenland_north_vs_south

Good Points

• Balanced
• Straight-forward unit set

Bad Points

• No victory conditions
• Relatively symmetrical start lacks dynamics