The J1 Philosophy

[@johnkoontz1271]

I'm one of the guys you talked about at the end. It has been 3 years since you made this video and I'm just beginning to play G40. I do appreciate what you have done here. You have given me a lot to think about before my first game which starts tomorrow. I don't even know which country I will be playing, but you have greatly increased my understanding of the Pacific theatre. Thank you!

[@sargenteclipse5658]

“I don’t like losing my bombers to An AA Gun and I say You need to Nut up” Quote Young Grasshopper

[@fredericdonais4539]

Was looking for a global strategy for Japan and find your video. Thank you. It was very helpful. Japan is indeed a really interesting power to play and your hour long video is more than welcome. When the subject is interesting...we never got enough. I will be more confident playing Japan for the 1st time in my first global 1940. Cheers

[@davidodonovan2885]

Hey, this is me, two years later. Watching the video the whole way through and really appreciating it! Thank you.

[@camhart9245]

Great video YG... this will speed up my learning curve with Japan quite alot.

[@tommyjohansson7461]

It has now been 2 years since this vid was made - and here I am, a new starter 😀 This here production much appreciated, thx.

[@Izadirad1995]

Thank you from 2023!

[@PMMagro]

Good stuff as usual! Long since I played Japan but has been J2 attacks as the Germans want time and I like to have a factory up on the mainland.

[@AMM278]

Agree! While a J1 gives Japan that edge when it comes to grabbing the extra income, it also allows the US to liberate Europe quicker potentially putting pressure on Germany. Like to give the best of both with a J2

[@PMMagro]

I do think J1 is better but wiuth J2 I can still get a factory up J3 in teh south and Germany does not feel.. panic to go Sea Lion or attack Soviets immedeatly.@@AMM278

[@paulabbottii6937]

I just bought 1940 Pacific. Thanks for the overview!

[@AxisandAlloys]

Informative as always! In our current game our Japanese player really could’ve used this! 100% on the first round buy.

[@TheCliffsideBunker]

Thank you, and great work over on your own channel... I like the consistency of your content.

[@AxisandAlloys]

@@TheCliffsideBunker Much appreciated, means a lot coming from the “expert” on G40

[@waynedaly100]

I love playing Japan, I always do a J1, great vid

[@chrisharris2011]

Great information, thanks

[@gmanversion1]

There were 2 different tag titles years before I was born. Not sure if they were WWWF or CWC, but , if I remember right , The United State's Tag Team Titles, and the either Intercontinental or International Tag Team titles There was also a North American Title

[@ryann8126]

I'm that 2 year later noob just getting into A&A 1940

[@markb2773]

Oh! one more super important rules clarification: What if the USA lands troops into Amur and then attacks into Manchuria and/or Korea...does that affect the Mongolian Rule in any way?

[@adebirkful]

Hey you never mentioned why you leave that artillery in Kiangsi. I'm still scratching my head over that. Is it so you can load it in the transport? If so, why not leave one in Kiangsu so you can pair it with the Okinawa infantry and in the meantime have more artillery in the area of the Burma Road?

[@KevinShriner]

he mentions in another comment:" Ya, good observation... I forgot to finish my train of thought on that. I wanted to show how the Shanghai infantry and artillery come down in the non-combat movement phase and could now provide the extra help to hit Hong Kong turn 2... it’s also a good strategy to keep artillery on the coast to help fill transports fighting for Islands... I also forgot to explain that mech infantry purchases on the new factories are great mainland units to hit china territories with air support."

[@markb2773]

Hi Young Grasshopper! Question: How do you counter if USA is building up its forces in Alaska (also builds a factory, port AND an airfield there also!) And uses that as a base to attack homeland Japan and land troops and planes in Russia?

[@pinch1loaf]

If the US is building a a naval crossing in the north as you say they will need a significant investment of ships to guard their bridge. That means the other allies in the south will be unsupported. You should be able to stabilize the money islands with less resources and threaten the US navy in the north. You will have to fight them of course, but those resources dedicated to that part of the pacific mean two things: 1. US is not investing in Atlantic enough to threaten Germany 2. US navy will be locked in the north too far to support against Japan's dominance in the southern Pacific where all the money is. Any time the US invests heavily in the pacific Japan's game will suffer. You have to deal with it, but that give's Germany a lot of breathing room. Focus the money islands, keep China and UK at bay, and you should have enough economy to duke it out with the US long enough for Germany to prevail in Europe. Keep a healthy fleet of carriers. Those are key to maintaining control of the pacific.

[@timothypavlick76]

For the first time in my life I am beating a skilled friend of mine on pacific because of this video. Thank you so much!

[@TheCliffsideBunker]

Congrats... glad to help.

[@alexanderkmec1677]

I Always love playing as the Japanese. There are so many possible targets but you can’t hit them all. You really have to focus on what is being attacked and why. Does this action OR inaction add to building a strong Japan? Are you chiselling away the allies strength? Also, I do find going on the offensive with Japan sets the tempo early and forces the allies to play defensive. Keep beating the british... eventually they will break lol

[@joshuataylor7213]

Been playing this game since the week it released under FF. Arguably the best IP boardgame ever made. All of my shadow forces are painted, but I stalled out after wrapping up most of the Men of Gondor (starting to play SW Legion may or may not have had something to do with that). What paint set(s) did you use? How long did this all take you? I'd love to know more about your process and decisions - i.e basing color choices, etc. Overall, nice work!

[@fuferito]

Sorry, YG. I didn't quite catch it. Who do you love playing, again?

[@TheCliffsideBunker]

Italy... because if the Axis lose, nobody's gonna blame poor o Italy... right?

[@fuferito]

@@TheCliffsideBunker, That's very wise. Italy gets no blame for an Axis loss, and plenty of credit when the Axis win.

[@whitecake4223]

Why did you leave the artillery behind in Kiangsi?

[@TheCliffsideBunker]

Ya, good observation... I forgot to finish my train of thought on that. I wanted to show how the Shanghai infantry and artillery come down in the non-combat movement phase and could now provide the extra help to hit Hong Kong turn 2... it’s also a good strategy to keep artillery on the coast to help fill transports fighting for Islands... I also forgot to explain that mech infantry purchases on the new factories are great mainland units to hit china territories with air support.

[@PhilipvonMehren-xs9hc]

Hello. I have a question: if Japan attacks French IndoChina does that mean Japan is at war with UK? What about if Japan does not attack Philippines but does attack French Indochina? Is Japan just at war with UK (and Anzac)?

[@garygrassler09]

i thought moble infantry can only move two when accompanied by a tank?

[@TheCliffsideBunker]

Correct, did I do something else?

[@garygrassler09]

@@TheCliffsideBunker I believe you moved the mobile infantry from Manchuria two spots on the first turn. Just thought maybe I was playing wrong

[@TheCliffsideBunker]

@@garygrassler09 so yes, the mech infantry can move 2 if the first territory is friendly, as Jehol is... can't move 2 spaces if the first territory is hostile, unless it's paired with a tank.

[@garygrassler09]

@@TheCliffsideBunker thank you sir!

[@George_of_Frundsberg]

I‘m a newbie... Did I get it right: When you only attack French Indo China (and various chinese territories of course) as a japanese player on J1, the Brits have to declare war on you because of their alliance with France. So you‘re at war with these two nations (and China), BUT NOT WITH THE U.S.! On J2 you can care about the money islands and Calcutta etc. (by ignoring the Philippines and other U.S. units). Do I get these rules right?

[@TheGlobalWarVeteran]

UK doesn’t need to do anything if Japan attacks French Indo China, but if Japan attacks FIC and doesn’t attack the US they gain a $2 territory but lose a $10 bonus

[@TheCliffsideBunker]

@@TheGlobalWarVeteran Correct, I’ll need to shot a whole video explaining the trade with America NO because there’s a lot to it.

[@George_of_Frundsberg]

@@TheCliffsideBunker this would be great, thanks!

[@TheCliffsideBunker]

@@George_of_Frundsberg all ready did... NOL Trade with America

[@George_of_Frundsberg]

@@TheCliffsideBunker oh, I wasn‘t up to date! You‘re really busy! 🤗 I‘ll watch it soon. You‘re awesome!!!

[@might.88.mp39]

55:51 hahahahaha. literally me

[@MCCiabattaGrande]

What do you do when you play 1940 Pacific only? J1,2,3 or just wait? What‘s your strategy? Because everytime we play this japan gets annihilated

[@TheCliffsideBunker]

Sorry, but I’ve never played just the Pacific 1940 game alone... I would imagine the same tactic would apply because the setup is very similar... but the Russian troops and the NOs may change things.

[@jacobrawleigh6410]

@@TheCliffsideBunker Whenever I play Pacific 1940 alone Japan must move quickly to take out as much of the Chinese army before the pacific allies can enter the war and then move on the Allies right before they enter the war because if you are not greedy and refrain from attacking Hong Kong, Indochina, the Dutch Territories, or other territories of the allies then you get 10 IPCs per turn from the national objective of not being at war with the US (that's quite a lot for Japan). So what I always do is commit most land and air forces to China but have your carriers and transports with naval escorts loaded up and in position to seize the valuable territories and victory cities. So my advice is to be aggressive but do it in a smart way because after the US enters the war if you are in pacific alone the US becomes way to powerful and you will likely lose if they enter turn one. So my advice for early turns if in your game the allies always win is this. 1. Keep the US out of the war 2. Close the Burma road ASAP 3. Commit lots of infantry/artillery and a good chunk of your air force to China and attack the Chinese army ruthlessly. 4. Buy lots of transports 5. Get the Navy into position to attack Hong Kong, the Dutch territories, Guam, Indochina, and the Philippines but don't attack unless the British/ANZAC enter the war so you can still have a chance at a decisive first attack while still collecting 10 extra IPCs from the US not being in the war for a few turns because the US can't enter until turn 3 if the UK starts the war with you. If this is followed in my games you will usually see a 50/50 split if the allies and Japan winning. If you have experienced players then these first steps may look different and it changes a little if the UK/ANZAC enter the war immediately and after that predetermined strategies go out the window due to unpredictability but experience often helps determine the right strategy. In my experience, go for India, Hong Kong, Manila, Sydney, and hold Tokyo and Shanghai this will allow most players the best chance at an attainable victory if the UK enters the war early and allow you to move quickest to get a victory before the US becomes too powerful. Results may vary because these are my experiences and this is for Pacific only since global strategy is different but I hope this gives you a starting point if in your games the allies are always winning.

[@jacobrawleigh6410]

I almost forgot. Aircraft carriers are your friend. As YG said. A rich Japan is successful, get rich and buy carriers.

[@TheCliffsideBunker]

@@jacobrawleigh6410 sounds like the same way Japan should be played in Global... makes sense seeing as the setup is the same and other than America being a bit stronger

[@lonniemaxwell1659]

Borneo, is brittish how would you claim that for the US?

[@bjarte9660]

39:50 When Japan's fleet is at Phillippines and US fleet is at Caroline Island. What if US just doesn't care about the fleet in Phillippines and go full attack on Tokyo? Does Japan counter this by building say 10 infantry? But if so, US could go for something else, say taking the factory in Shanghai or start grabbing the money islands? If US doesn't care about your fleet in Phillippines, and you don't feel strong enough attacking theirs - How could Japan respond to this?

[@Patooola95]

It is a very good question! I hope that someone can anwser it :D

[@UrukharMD]

Exactly this whole strategy does not take this US move

[@pinch1loaf]

I'd say celebrate. They shouldn't have enough of a landing force to take Japan, they're just giving you their fleet. Also a nice trick, leave at least 1 ship in Japan home SZ. Use your kamakaze to target carriers. The damaged carriers won't be able to land planes at the end of the battle opening up the US fleet to an easy counter attack. You wipe their fleet for minimum losses. Once that fleet is gone it will take them a while to rebuild to challenge you again. By that time, Germany should have victory in their grasp.