DEC 2013 TS forum game archive

[bob48]

Interesting. Ignore the Frogs and court the Turks then.

[BanzaiCat]

Thanks, GJK.

I'm not really all that up on what we should do. But, here is my suggestion for placement of these 6 IPs as follows:

1 - Yugoslavia

3 - Poland

1 - Taiwan

1 - Vietnam

If any of my comrades have other suggestions, please do so.

[GJK]

Remember, you have 6 IP's that can only go in to EASTERN EUROPE at this time (this is part of the initial set up).  Eastern Europe are the light purple (lilac?) colored countries on the map.  You can place 1 or more IP's in any of those countries and you can place them in countries that are a combo West/East Europe (Austria for example). Tawain, Vietnam are part of the yellow "Asia" group so placing IP's there for the initial set up wouldn't be allowed.

[BanzaiCat]

Dammit, I knew that...my bad.

What do my comrades recommend? We need to secure East Germany and Poland, and get a foothold in Yugoslavia for glorious revolution-spreading to Italy.

[Barthheart]

1  to East Germany
4 to Poland
1 to Yugoslavia for a shot at Italy later.

[Ubercat]

Great. It sounds like we're agreed.

[BanzaiCat]

Is agreed, then.

[GJK]

Good deal - I will update the main board right now to reflect your set up.

[GJK]

Game update:  The USSR has placed their remaining 6 IP's in EASTERN EUROPE:



The complete and updated map can be seen here:  http://www.garykrockover.com/TS/Game_At_Start_Large_Updated.jpg

Waiting on the US set up of 7 IP's in WESTERN EUROPE and then we will need your opening HEADLINE PHASE cards gentlemen.  The stand-off will then be underway!

[Staggerwing]

Looks like we're up Gents. Shall we place our bets?

http://grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=8401.msg211002#msg211002

[undercovergeek]

Seen this everywhere -

The standard opening setup for the US is 4 West Germany, 3 Italy.  As USA, you take the two safest battlegrounds in Western Europe, and the overcontrol of Italy guards against a Socialist Governments headline and/or T1 Italy coup.

Italy. It is the only battleground country in Europe that is seriously threatened by coups. Even so, it often makes sense for the US player to take control of this country, and most US players will do so with their initial setup. First, Italy gives the Americans a second battleground in Europe, and second, Italy blocks access to France via Southern Europe- something very important in the Early War. Usually, if the USSR can manage to nab France, it's theirs for the rest of the game. A wise choice for influence in most circumstances.

Unlike the USSR, the US player has the chance to react to his opponent's placement. Also unlike the USSR, the US player has to face the reality that his opponent will get to play the first action of the turn, which will likely be a coup in either Italy or Iran. A successful coup in either country is bad news for the US, but especially so in Italy becuase it allows the USSR the chance at Domination in Europe, where the US starts with an initial advantage in board position.

Given that the US player's board position is tenuous across the entirety of the board at the beginning of the game, as the US it is my top priority to secure future Dominance of Europe, with the potential for Control as the game progresses (though that would be very unlikely and it's important not to over-commit in Europe).

As far as US placement in Europe goes, there are generally three principles.

1) Make sure you have an equal or greater number of battleground countries than the Soviets.
2) Try to block access to any battleground countries you do not control (typically France).
3) Be aware of the cards that wreck havoc on the US's European position (DE GAULLE, BLOCKADE, and to a lesser extent SUEZ CRISIS), and prepare for their arrival.

1) STANDARD, CONSERVATIVE: 4 WGER, 3 ITA.

In most cases this is the best US setup strategy- it takes control of West Germany and Italy, giving the US 2 battlegrounds to protect against an early Europe Scoring, and it leaves both countries somewhat protected (WGER vulnurable to BLOCKADE, ITA vulnurable to coups). As the USSR player, against this setup, I will typically go ahead and coup Iran rather than risk a bad roll against Italy, leaving me out of position in both Europe and the "Iron Triangle" (Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan) whereas I am guaranteed, with a 4 ops card, to at least knock the US out of Iran with an Iranian coup. As the US, any time the USSR decides to coup Iran instead of Italy with its first action, I jump for joy- chances are that Italy will remain aligned with the US for the remainder of the game (NATO protects against BRUSH WAR). Obviously, a SOCIALIST GOVERNMENTS headline followed by a first-AR coup in Italy is nothing short of disastrous for this setup... then again, when is SOCIALIST GOVERNMENTS ever good for the US player? More seriously, though, the strategy is vulnurable to a successful BLOCKADE (no countries adjacent to WGER with influence), and is also vulnurable to realignments.




what this actually means im still to understand - but it deffo looks like 4 WG and 3 Itay is the best move

just sayin'

[Barthheart]

Come on Imperialist American Dogs! Where's your tiny little army going to hide?

Comrade Barthheartovich,
General Secretary of the Red Army.
1 Red Square, Moscow
USSR

[undercovergeek]

we're planning!!!!

that and imperial dog 1 - Staggerwing is on the other side of the sea and in bed, dog 2 - Bob is old and confused and has forgotten, and dog 3 - me, i have a job where i can plan all day and scheme your downfall - im currently reading Captain Zogs guide to winning Twilight on just the first move (tm) - and then you may as well put your furry hat away

[GJK]

We can always reconvene the Malta/Yalta Conference and rehash all of this out if need be.  :D

[Barthheart]

Ah but we have an inside man.... look at GJK's new title.. he's one of US! Bwhahahahahahahah! You have no chance....  8)