Axis Empires: Ultimate Edition - Training Scenario: Case White

Here we go! The first training scenario from the Totaler Krieg part of Axis Empires: Ultimate Edition. I think I got it!

[@valmorgul708]

Steven, please keep going with AE! You really got the retreat mechanic right and used it perfectly, brilliant. Although it seems odd compared to WiF it becomes second nature after some turns. For the no retreat negation in the AF hex, I use to imagine the presence of the AF in such a tactical way that disrupts rail/road/brigdes/LoC making the hex unusable for that and it works for me. Playing this game is like going down a rabbit hole of polished wargaming rule mechanics. Waiting for more including the 2 map campaign once you feel comfortable.

[@e-4airman124]

thank you

[@_johnmaag]

I'm learning this at the moment as well. The retreats bringing other units along is weird to me also at this scale. Seems like you really need to think hard about setting up your defensive arrangement so it can't be used against you like you illustrated. I don't think I'll ever be able to play this in a smart manner. I'm trying to defeat my analysis paralysis, not enable it. 😃 But I'm looking forward to figuring out the full game to see how the sandbox nature works.

[@clarkcommando1983]

On my second four player game been playing since 1993 wonderful game and yes this edition is well worth it

[@letsroll2001]

Good refresher. Appreciate it.

[@ThymeKeeper]

Breaking down units is often a little arcane in most game. Just like you said, it's the why not the how. The how is relatively easy usually. That's the case with most wargame rules for me though :).

[@marchanna]

will definitely be interested in your comparison of this with WiF. I have WiF Classic sitting on my shelf and I nearly switched to this because AE Ultimate was outrageously late (esp in comparison to you getting out these videos by your standards :). You might like SK because LBA counters make a huge difference in the Air Game play. cheers

[@Dianikes]

For a game with the reputation this game has it seems a very counter intuitive system, though sometimes the intent can be hidden somewhat until you get the system down, still seems off to me.

[@paulkondon]

Voluntary Retreat Conversion: A defending force may convert Retreat results into step losses on a one-for-one basis if either or both of the following situations applies: • All adjacent attacking ground units are attacking across Strait, Beachhead, or Mountain hexsides. • The defending hex contains a City and does not contain a Blitz or Totsugeki marker. So, the Polish unit retreating into Warsaw can trigger the 2nd bullet, and cause the step loss to avoid abandoning the city via the Rout rule. This is why Blitz markers will often be placed specifically on city hexes in order to cancel this result. Also, the Objective Hexes have colors based upon who is expected to control it. It is automatically controlled by that side, e.g. grey is German, unless another power not allied (or an Allied devastation marker) occupies it. In this case, the Polish units deprive the Germans of control until removed from the hex or Poland is conquered. The Germans don't need to garrison them. This is an early set of goals for the Germans to secure them and move on. This could include conquest like this, or active alliances. The red city in Minsk is a Soviet city, and so would need an Axis garrison of some kind to control it. FYI, MANY important concepts are in the GLOSSARY, rather than what would seem relevant rules sections. The Control listing of the Glossary spells all of this out. ;)

[@stevendolges8372]

Hey, thanks for commenting but I think you are wrong about the retreats. Quoting the rulebook: "Important: Defending units Retreating through Cities or across Strait, Beachhead, or Mountain hexsides do not receive this Voluntary Retreat Conversion option."

[@paulkondon]

@@stevendolges8372 the rules also state evaluate hex-by-hex. The unit in the city is not retreating through, but is starting there. On the other hand, it becomes part of the original combat, so that could mean it is treated as a force that IS retreating through. I could definitely see the exception for a force that didn't start in the city not being given the option if the city is empty, but in this case a unit does start in the city. I think this needs clarification.

[@jonathanpickles2946]

The retreat through cities is a bit odd. You can certainly be put in a worse position be adding one weak unit to an area if it has to sit outside the strong point you are trying to defend. Cities (hexes in fact) with HQs or Fortifications will stop the sweeping retreats and better organised mid to late war armies will have enough HQs & forts for this. When we fist played Krieg the ground operations felt very much better than Third Reich with its quarterly turns, and the abstraction of the support units made it very straightforward and fast playing unlike WIiF (which I have hardly played). It grew into a bit of a beast with the later editions and lost something along the way,

[@rhysjohnson1224]

Looking forward to the Barbarossa training scenario. Have just set it up on my table

[@simovoutilainen9716]

Yeah air units blocking retreat of armies doesnt sound right to me. Bringing other units along is just silly at army scale. Hard pass for me on this game.

[@falconplays3001]

Why is it silly for you to pick up units along by routing Units? 1940 exactly this happened or were done by the French Army abandon Paris and left it open for the Wehrmacht to save French’s Lives.