Ralph Boerke's Tribute to Axis & Allies
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Gamer's Paradise [Top]
The Gamer's Paradise have the Expansions I, II, and III to the 1942 game.
I have purchased the Expansion #2.
I have never convinced my friends to play this version with me so I don't know how well it will play. I tried a solitaire game once. I can recommend it only based on what I see. The ideas are good and Paratroopers are a must to make the game more realistic.
Gamer's Paradise also have 1/3000 scale minatures in lead for Naval units: Prince of Wales, King George V, Bismark, Tirpitz, Prinz Eugen, Yamato, Nagato, Yugumo, Iowa, Indianapolis, .... many Battleships, Cruisers, and Destroyers for about $2.99 each (1992 prices).
Don't know their address but the full name is: Gamers Paradise Chicago
Ridge Inc. and the designer is Philip Schwartzer.
Gamers Paradise, Waukegan Road, Deerfield, IL 60015. - Kelly Beacome
- From the order form for the minatures.
Not sure of if they have any more expansions or if you can buy any of the existing three anymore.
Expansion I [Top]
From the manual of Expansion #2 I can take it that Expansion #1 had introduced: Destroyers, Destroyer Escorts, and Cruisers; Escorted Bombers and Defending Fighters; Sub Patrols; and new sources of IPCs.
I suspect they made some changes to the map of the Atlantic that is similar to what they did in the Pacific. This expansion I think was an attempt to make the Atlantic theater a bit more realistic.
And it gave the Strategic Bombing Run some more realism too. Fighters could now defend against Bombers and enemy Fighters could escort the Bombers.
Do not know how the Sub patrol went I believe it has something to do with other ideas I've heard where the Subs have submerging capabilities and are somewhat safe from enemy attack.
Expansion II [Top]
It has a few changes to the map so the Japanese Islands are worth more and has some new units: SS Infantry and SS Panzers, Uboats, Paratroopers (Sabotage), Carrier Based Aircraft, Commandoes, Marines, Japanese Pillboxes, Trucks, Artillery, and Air Transports. There is also a Production Schedule to make the Pacific a bit more of a contest and something to go for.
This expansion was developed to give the war in the Pacific a bit part in the war. I suppose this was to counter the new bigger part they developed with the first expansion but also to give it the weight it deserves as it did in WWII.
The same map is used but a few new rules are added towards movement of units. Entering the Japan sea zone or the Western USA sea zone requires two movement points. This effectively eliminates the Strategic Bombing Runs from Hawaii or Wake. BUt it does make it more difficult for enemy fleets to get close to the home ports.
The values of the islands are increased. This again is for historical and game play reasons. Japan and the USA get more IPCs per turn and it makes the American conquest of the south Pacific more desirable.
New Units.
Commandoes, Marines, SS, Japanese Pillboxes, are all reminiscent of the original Nova version of A&A that had special traits for their Infantry.
Trucks and Air Transport are useful for Germany in transporting troops to Africa without any naval forces and for bringing forces quickly to the fronts.
New Carrier Based Fighters are also good for the US and Japanese as they cost 8 IPCs but have limited range (3). Uboats are great for Germany they cost less 6 IPCs so they can hopefully produce more of them for simulate the actual Battle of the Atlantic.
Artillery is also good. But is costly at 2 IPCs per round of use.
The Production Schedule is a way to bring more units into the battle of the Pacific without costing the USA or Japan too much. It also ensures that the USA will not run away to the Atlantic as its new units (including a Carrier) would be easily picked off by a waiting Japanese fleet.
Strategic Bombing, Escort and Defensive Fighters: The rules in the second expansion were unfair I think as Germany would have to set aside Fighters for future use as defenders. The UK could then wait for an opening (Germany not saving any Fighters) before commiting Bombers. While if Germany sent Bombers against the UK it could decide what Fighters it would commit to the defense including all of its Fighters. Perhaps it did make sense in the fact that Germany had easier access to Escort Fighters, but I have not played this version enough to say for sure.
Expansion III [Top]
I do not know what Expansion #3 has.
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