May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Fury Games has now signed with Matrix Games, and we are working together on the next Strategic Command. Will use the Slitherine PBEM++ server for asynchronous multi-player.

Moderators: MOD_Strategic_Command_3, Fury Software

AltarisGreyhawke
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2018 9:49 pm

May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by AltarisGreyhawke »

So had the USSR get influenced and attack me in an MP game in May 1940, the turn after France fell.

That seems... extreme. What is the counter strategy to this? Pretty sure I'm dead now, despite having a very successful run up to this point...
Sugar
Posts: 940
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2017 11:42 am

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by Sugar »

The counter is... counter diplo.
User avatar
Christolos
Posts: 980
Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:45 pm
Location: Montreal, Canada

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by Christolos »

I would add that situational awareness that could lead to counter diplo, is the first step.

Cheers,

C
“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives - choice, not chance, determines your destiny.”

-Aristotle-
AltarisGreyhawke
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2018 9:49 pm

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by AltarisGreyhawke »

Well I did that, never once succeeded in getting a counter diplomacy roll. Granted, Allies got one boost before I realized what they were doing and started investing in diplomacy myself, which took me 3-4 turns to get up to full chits in it. At 175 cost a piece, that's a HUGE investment for getting absolutely nothing and ending up with a 1940 Soviet Union to deal with (which also seems to be at full 1941 strength, that seems off too).

I do see he did not annex the Baltic States, does that help the Soviets stay higher in Allies diplomacy favor or something?

This just seems really off to me for a WW2 game. Stalin was notoriously suspicious of the UK.

So if I'm reading this right, the MP consensus is everyone dumps their points into influencing the USSR from the beginning of the game?
Sugar
Posts: 940
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2017 11:42 am

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by Sugar »

You can watch ongoing activities in the stats (research/diplomacy). If your opponent is investing heavily, perhaps you should do the same, and you should better do it before it`s too late.
Well I did that, never once succeeded in getting a counter diplomacy roll.

That's not how this works, any chit is completely nullifying the enemy's, but to achieve a hit, you'll have to have more chits invested than your opponent. Since Germany has 5 chits available and Italy 3, the 5 brit. chits can't succeed any longer after France has fallen (and her 2 chits).

Major diplo targets (US, SU) are easily to identify, the costs of influencing are 175/chit instead of 50 for minor targets. The SU is more likely to be the targetted nation, since her joining also speeds US entry.




User avatar
DeriKuk
Posts: 355
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:44 am
Location: Alberta
Contact:

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by DeriKuk »

Another clue in situational awareness (in this case) is... the Allied stance towards FINLAND, and - to a lesser extent - the French banning of the Communist deputies.

Supporting the Fins and banning the deputies both go a long way towards alienating the Soviet Union. With this alienation the SU will take a long time in preparing for war, and may actually be fatally unready when Barbarossa rolls around. I'd say that the result of these events is a major flaw in the scenarios and scripts. No sane, competitive Allied player will opt to exercise them; so... a "perfect solution".

I hope the powers-that-be (Hubert?) reconsider these events. Perhaps reneging on "Finnish Intervention" could accelerate Italian support for the Axis cause; while Banning the Deputies could knock a few points off Spanish leanings towards the Axis? Both of these are historically plausible, and they do not break the scenarios as they currently do.
dave123
Posts: 105
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2016 4:00 am

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by dave123 »

I would just surrender and chalk it up to a very lucky allied diplo win.

To alter your strategy going forward and start dumping a bunch of diplo to avoid this happening again is not (IMO) a winning strategy.

Sometimes, things just don't go your way.
Sugar
Posts: 940
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2017 11:42 am

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by Sugar »

It`s also undoubtly not a winning strategy to ignore you're opponent's strategy (in this case a 25-35% chance to hit every single turn until the joining), and in case of the well known "uber"-strategy not even necessary.

Several threads are treating this problem, I recommend to read them, right after the (whole) manual of course.
AltarisGreyhawke
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2018 9:49 pm

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by AltarisGreyhawke »

Thanks for the clarification of rules Sugar. In particular, I was unaware I could track diplo spending on the report graphs, I will keep an eye out for this in later games, I'm fairly new to this game.

I still think it's a dumb mechanic that the Soviet Union would've even entertained the idea of joining the Allies that early.
User avatar
Taxman66
Posts: 2213
Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:28 pm
Location: Columbia, MD. USA

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by Taxman66 »

I don't like the major power diplo game either. It just makes the game so heavily luck based. I can go to a casino for that experience.

There's a game start option, iirc, for no diplo. I wish that was replaced (or added option) for a 'no major power' diplo option.

I've also suggested in the past to change major power diplo chits to costing only 50 MPP (like any other chit) but reducing the mobilization effect of a successful chit to 1/3 that of a minor's. Note that major power chits never get the rare special double effect.
"Part of the $10 million I spent on gambling, part on booze and part on women. The rest I spent foolishly." - George Raft
Sugar
Posts: 940
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2017 11:42 am

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by Sugar »

Hehe, personally I am friend of uber-diplo as Axis-player, since every single attempt ended badly for the Allies so far. I like the idea of a weak GB, the Axis can much easier afford the costs, and it's not too bad to counter even though influencing Spain.

PvtBenjamin
Posts: 1203
Joined: Sat May 06, 2017 3:57 pm

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by PvtBenjamin »


I also believe that the major power diplo needs some major modifications, it can completely overwhelm the game. Major power diplo should be limited to 1 chit per country.

One of my current Axis opponents has spent 8 chits (6 German, 2 Italian) on USSR diplo, its ridiculous.

User avatar
Elessar2
Posts: 1333
Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2016 12:35 am

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by Elessar2 »

In the case of Stalin, it is even more preposterous. He, given his underlying paranoia, would have undoubtedly have seen a major diplomatic push by the Western Allies as their meddling in Soviet affairs, and would have likely backfired, very badly. I mean, what would the form of said diplomatic pressures have taken, exactly? Promises of shipments of goods? [then there should be some scripts/a mechanic for that] Otherwise you are simply referring to the Allies sending a blizzard of telegrams, phone calls, and diplomats the Russian's way--but how effective would that really be, in the end? Talk is cheap, and in Stalin's case utterly worthless.

I mean, take a look at Franco as well while we're at it. There was really nothing Hitler could have said to have changed his mind--the things Franco wanted were the things Hitler/Moose simply were unable to deliver.
PvtBenjamin
Posts: 1203
Joined: Sat May 06, 2017 3:57 pm

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by PvtBenjamin »

ORIGINAL: Elessar2

In the case of Stalin, it is even more preposterous. He, given his underlying paranoia, would have undoubtedly have seen a major diplomatic push by the Western Allies as their meddling in Soviet affairs, and would have likely backfired, very badly. I mean, what would the form of said diplomatic pressures have taken, exactly? Promises of shipments of goods? [then there should be some scripts/a mechanic for that] Otherwise you are simply referring to the Allies sending a blizzard of telegrams, phone calls, and diplomats the Russian's way--but how effective would that really be, in the end? Talk is cheap, and in Stalin's case utterly worthless.

I mean, take a look at Franco as well while we're at it. There was really nothing Hitler could have said to have changed his mind--the things Franco wanted were the things Hitler/Moose simply were unable to deliver.



Agreed.

If major country diplo was limited to one chit it would be much more realistic. In 1940 neither the Soviets or US were going to enter the war with Allies. On the flip side with war raging all around him Stalin definitely wasn't going to reduce his military spending at all and certainly wouldn't have reduced it to zero which is possible here.



User avatar
DonCzirr
Posts: 464
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2014 1:55 am

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by DonCzirr »

Is this only a concern in MP?

or also against the AI?

I'm just getting started (just finished Poland) - would you guys advise to start over with no Diplomacy enabled (with the game in its current state)?
Man schlägt jemanden mit der Faust und nicht mit gespreizten Fingern !

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100032812112896
PvtBenjamin
Posts: 1203
Joined: Sat May 06, 2017 3:57 pm

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by PvtBenjamin »

I'd recommend keeping diplo on, its an important part of the game. You can monitor your opponents diplo moves in the graph section (175 =US or USSR, 50 increments probably Spain, Sweden or Turkey but could be others). The issue is really a PBEM issue where the human player will try much more aggressive tactics than the AI.

enjoy the game
User avatar
DonCzirr
Posts: 464
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2014 1:55 am

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by DonCzirr »

Thanks for the advice.

Diplomacy "on" seems like it would be more interesting as long as it did not break the game.

Enjoying it a lot so far. The game has an excellent feel to it.
Man schlägt jemanden mit der Faust und nicht mit gespreizten Fingern !

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100032812112896
vonRocko
Posts: 1448
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:05 pm

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by vonRocko »

Yeah, the AI won't do that.
User avatar
BillRunacre
Posts: 5781
Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2013 2:57 pm
Contact:

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by BillRunacre »

Hi everyone

I'd be very interested to hear more about this game where the Allies have invested heavily in the USSR.

How much, and what effect has this had on Britain and France's military defences? Can the UK now afford to defend itself against Sea Lion or to defend Egypt? Will France fall sooner?

Thanks

Bill
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FurySoftware

We're also on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/FurySoftware/
PvtBenjamin
Posts: 1203
Joined: Sat May 06, 2017 3:57 pm

RE: May 1940 USSR DOW in MP??

Post by PvtBenjamin »

ORIGINAL: BillRunacre

Hi everyone

I'd be very interested to hear more about this game where the Allies have invested heavily in the USSR.

How much, and what effect has this had on Britain and France's military defences? Can the UK now afford to defend itself against Sea Lion or to defend Egypt? Will France fall sooner?

Thanks

Bill





Hi Bill,

My current game actually involves the AXIS spending extreme amounts on Diplo.

My Axis opponent has spent 1750 (10 chits - German & Italian) on USSR & US mobilization, I countered with 3 Brit & 1 French chits on USSR diplo. France has fallen so I currently have 3 Brit chits on USSR. All of my DE's (no to banning communists, etc etc) are to maximize USSR mobilization towards the Allies.

It is June 1941 and USSR mobilization is at zero and US 46%. I doubt this is in the spirit of the game and a historic absurdity.



The game probably needs some type limitations on Major country diplo.

My opponent didn't attempt sea lion and I still hold Egypt.


thanks

Post Reply

Return to “Strategic Command WWII War in Europe”