EF box advice/strategy

[smokindave34]

I'm playing as axis and I'm trying to balance the east front box to maintain an appropriate support of the western theatre but at the same time not over using it in a non historical way. It seems appropriate to keep the Army Group/Army/Corps HQ at or above the "required" levels along with the division assigned to EF at or above the "required" level. My only concern here is that I start the grand campaign with 10+ divisions above the required level. That seems like a lot of troops to be sending west?

Any thoughts/advice on this? Maybe I should just aim to keep the frontline +/- 1 hex within the historical frontline? I'm not sure how well this is modeled.

[marion61]

The EF Box is a big advantage for the axis. In a MP game I wouldn't use it again, nor will I play with it on against me. It provides the axis with their pick of reinforcements whenever they need it, and the Russians don't press very hard. It's like facing two more armies in Europe for the WA player, and in Italy.

[nedcorleone1]

ORIGINAL: meklore61

The EF Box is a big advantage for the axis. In a MP game I wouldn't use it again, nor will I play with it on against me. It provides the axis with their pick of reinforcements whenever they need it, and the Russians don't press very hard. It's like facing two more armies in Europe for the WA player, and in Italy.

But meklore61, you're so OP as the WA I think the Axis needs the handicap. Besides, don't you like the added challenge?

[cmunson]

SmokinDave, some things to note, when you pull troops from the EF box it lowers the morale (thus CV) of units left behind. The required numbers are a hard floor, that does not mean the Russians will not advance faster than historical if you have net withdraws from EF. Pulling HQ's below required will have dramatic affects on EF CV. Finally, a weaker EF seems to result in more casualties according to my spreadsheet tracking and thus it sucks more manpower away from western front so the Axis player has more units in the west but they will be weaker.

I understand what Mekore61 is saying as the result of denuding the EF box creates a tougher fight for western Allies but the Russians will likely reach Berlin earlier in 1945. That is little consolation for some Allied players so fortunately EF box is an option. To me, the EF box enhances playing as Axis. Personally, I never take a unit out I don't replace and I regularly am 2-4 hexes ahead of historical on EF as I pump it up with some corps HQ's and extra air units (remember, even transports count towards the EF CV).

So, moving 10 divisions west creates a sugar high but there are consequences.

[marion61]

I've never professed to be OP. Not sure why you would think that.[8D]

[smokindave34]

The one counter argument I would make is that Pelton seems to be winning all his games as axis and he does not use the EF box. He seems to have plenty of troops to throw most allied invasions back into the sea (although this may be more a result of naval interdiction).

[marion61]

I'm about to find out! I'll let you know how it goes.[;)]

[smokindave34]

Good luck!

[NotOneStepBack]

Soviets are about 13 hexes behind in my game against Meklore. I pulled from EF most of the game.

[Nico165b165]

Can axis AI use EF box ?

[smokindave34]

ORIGINAL: NotOneStepBack

Soviets are about 13 hexes behind in my game against Meklore. I pulled from EF most of the game.

Have you dropped the number of divisions or HQ's below the "required" level?

[cmunson]

Soviets are about 13 hexes behind in my game against Meklore. I pulled from EF most of the game.

Really, something odd there. By chance do you have a screen shot?

[carlkay58]

Nico, you can check the EF Box along with the Computer player - but I am not sure how much the AI really does with it.

[Nico165b165]

ORIGINAL: carlkay58

Nico, you can check the EF Box along with the Computer player - but I am not sure how much the AI really does with it.

Yes, that's what I did in my WA campaign, but I don't know what to expect. Nothing different so far (turn 10), no hordes of SS-panzer divisions counter attacking in Sicily.