Kaije

Thanks, FA! But maybe they should've called this Attrition of Democracy... Unless my units are just sitting and spinning on their bums, they'll suffer a small amount of attrition. Well that's not accurate, even if they're sitting in poor weather they'll suffer from attrition. And, like jungles, being in desert terrain now causes constant attrition too! All of which makes sense, it's just going to take some time to get used to after all the hours I put into standard HoI2. Election Times http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/AoD/SPR006.png Actually I went with National Front here since it did pretty much the same thing without changing all of my ministers. This screeny also shows the unit panel, all units now carry their own stockpile of supplies and fuel (if needed). So now units can still remain in supply for a short while when/if they get encircled or isolated. Also note the two new buttons at the bottom of the panel. The first is a scorched earth order used to destroy a provinces infrastucture, IC, etc if defeated and forced to retreat. The second button is an order to stand their ground and fight to the death, but using this option increases national dissent. A Glance at New Production http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/AoD/SPR007.png Note the 'retooling' time in the tooltip, all new production has a certain amount of setup time before actual production can begin. Combining this with a more meaningful gearing bonus now gives a little more depth when planning production. After 'retooling' I also have the option to double or triple the amount IC dedicated to the run to reduce production time, but it doesn't appear to be very IC efficient for the time reduction it provides. Just a simple overview of some of the changes, production is still more complex than this... Civil War! http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/AoD/SPR008.png Now I finally get to check out how much combat has changed! Madrid Falls without a Fight http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/AoD/SPR009.png Damn. My best units went to the Nationals and my defensive preparations for this are now splintered with infighting... This is my first time doing the Spanish Civil War, so I didn't know exactly how the game would handle the initial event. Soviet Intervention http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/AoD/SPR010.png Armor will help, the rest not so much. Beggars can't be choosers though! Huelva Lost http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/AoD/SPR011.png Wow, combat lasts much longer now. Much. I was outnumbered 2-to-1 by superior divisions in Huelva... This fight would've taken maybe eight hours tops in HoI2, but here it drug out for 95 hours! And now a spiffy casualty break down comes in the info box. New Statistics Pages http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/AoD/SPR012.png Ooh... Ahh... To compliment the casualty reports, the game also tracks national casualties inflicted or incurred through combat. Me thinks it's time to start a serious campaign to populate these new pages

About a week ago I fired up HoI2 to get back into my Italy game... Unfortunately, the few minor flaws that the game has quickly killed the mood. So next I looked into Iron Cross just to see what all it offered, changed, etc., but it appears to have been released a bit buggy and poorly translated... And that's when I decided to give AoD a look. It doesn't add much in terms of content, so basically it's just appears to be HoI2 with tweaked or enhanced game mechanics and AI. I don't like the idea of spending another $20 for a game that I more or less already own, but what the hell, maybe it'll fix some of the flaws that've nagged at me. I haven't had much time to play around with this yet, so let's hope it was a worthy investment... The new content of AoD is in the form of over a dozen new technologies (most are in the industrial tree), new tech teams galore, and some new brigades and attachments (naval units get much needed love here). Republican Spain, 1936. Normal AI Difficulty and Aggression. http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/AoD/SPR001.png First thing I notice is that my starting IC is a little different than it was in HoI2, the same applies for most of the other nations. This is due to a game mechanic change, base IC and resource production are now modified by partisan activity, infrastructure, and terrain. Less than spectacular infrastructure combined with 30% dissent makes for an inefficient Spain. Swell. Oh well, at least I'm not playing as Nat. China because they're screwed. Diplomacy Tab http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/AoD/SPR002.png Time to sort out my ministers and political sliders. Oh, and to check out my National Identity, Social Policy, and Culture. These provide various bonuses and penalities similar to ministers, can be changed, but I have very limited options to choose from - based on my political ideology. Here I switched my culture from Conformist to Individual Enterprise which gives small bonuses to Industrial Research and IC, but requires an extra 10% belligerence for me to DoW. And of course changing this gave me an additional 6% dissent, while the new bonuses don't go into effect for 120 days (May 1). Pfft, what's another 6% though! Production Tab http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/AoD/SPR003.png Lots of new things here. A new IC slider under 'Upgrades' called 'Repair Provinces', which is for rebuilding a province after it gets blown to bits. Super. So now after I conquer a territory, I have to invest IC to get it back up and running... The Spanish Civil War is going to suck bad. Conversions slider box allows you to control how much of a resource is to be converted (energy-to-oil or oil-to-rares). Not only do I have to research the required tech, but I now have to build the necessary plant in a province to begin converting. The amount of resources that can be produced is dependent on how many plants are built. Expenses slider box is basically a break down of what makes up my 'Consumer Goods' need. Allocating IC above my needs just generates cash now, daily dissent change per day is now controlled with the 'Civil Expenses' slider. The way that production runs are done now has changed quite a bit too, more than I want to detail here because I'm not adding anything new at this time. Intelligence Tab http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/AoD/SPR004.png I don't know much about AoD intelligence, will play around with it later. As Spain I have much higher priorities to deal with Trades Tab http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/AoD/SPR005.png A simple and more convient way to initiate trades. Something worth noting here though is that now sea trade utilises convoys and escorts which will make convoy raiding far more worthwhile. Island nations beware! More to come... This isn't meant to be a serious AAR, I'm just going to touch on some of the subtle differences between AoD and standard HoI2 for anyone that may be interested.

Nice! I can't believe I've been missing out on this... Well, except for that kamikaze stun rod charge. I could've lived without that. Really, I could still be alive dammit! Best o' luck to the rest of you chaps! And may you continue to be blessed with firearms... laser weapons... grenades... Because all I got was a frickin' cattle prod. Oh yes, fear the poke.

Speaking of the Baltic states, have you bothered with any kind of defenses for Konigsberg in case the SU decides to war with 'em? I see it happen more often than not, but the DoW may be event triggered after the fall of Poland. Has the US been supporting the Allies via Lend-Lease or Destroyers for Bases yet?

Apparently I was a tad over zealous about dealing with the Soviets... It's been a bloody slugfest. Why's everyone always pickin' on me? http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Brazil.png A few days later... http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Vene.png After a lot of give and take in Rennes, Brest is ready to fall. The US looks to lose 24 divisions and possibly a few air wings. That's gotta sting! Venezuela kinda pisses me off though. After years of amiable relations and excellent trade agreements, they'll go even further and join the Allies as well. Oh well, I suppose S. America will make a nice staging ground for when I take on the USA. Casualities of war... http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Death.png Note to self: assign proper leaders to all the misc. 'Old Guard' reserves I scrounged up to plug the Russian front. Good bye General whoever you were, you won't be missed. The pacification of Africa is progressing slowly. http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Africa.png After months of marching, Ethopian diversionary forces manage to breakout and disrupt supply lines to Egypt & Sudan. Belgium should be annexed soonish... My forces are a couple provinces away from their last VP province, which will probably equate to 2-3 months of tromping through jungles. That takes forever. Defend. Defend. Defend. http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Stryj.png The province of Stryj is utter death. It's taken 20+ divisions to hold this damn province, and they've been fending off attacks daily for well over a month. I've finally been able to relax and create a lull by bombing the Soviet's nearby infrastucture to bits. Otherwise I've been resorting to cycling divisions along the frontlines just to keep somewhat fresh units in Stryj. If a seasonal 'ceasefire' doesn't come with winter snow, I'm going to be in big trouble. The situation isn't much better in Turkey. http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Kars.png Nothing suprises me more than being able to hold this front. Seriously, it's all due to a straight month of bombing the bloody piss out of nearby infrastructure. All Georgian provinces have had their infra reduced to 5-8% which allows me to fight the battle to a bloody loss, retreat, and then come back in for a another go. Thankfully, Fotifications in Kars will be coming soon. Speaking of fortifications, the minister that gives a 10% discount to land forts is misleading. His discount is more along the lines of a ~33% reduction (possibly more) to fort build times. Not that I'm complaining, I definitely prefer it this way. Japan is putting up a valiant effort, but slowly losing all the same... http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Manchu.png Hang on l'il buddies, just hang on. I would say help is coming, but I'd be lying. Ultimately, the longer Japan lasts, the better things will be for me in the long run. Okay, the short run too. Scratch another name from the list. http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Belgi.png Jungle attrition is nearly a thing of the past. Thank heavens. Now to squash the 10ish Allied divisions trapped in the various pockets around Egypt & Ethopia and then we're off to S. Africa! I really do hate commiting this much effort to Africa, but it's a necessary evil.

Basically, I was pulled into this war prematurely... which is now the war that will decide the game. Soviets push further into Romania. http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/SUCR1.png I'm holding my breath as the days pass by here. I think I can, I think I can! Just need to holdout for one more week. Anyone else want to hit me while I'm not lookin'? http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Yanks.png I've just about finished off the French, and now this. It appears I need to stick a foot in Spain and Vichy's arses, even under my control they're in no hurry to go anywhere. Die commie bastards! http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/SUCR2.png In danger of losing Romania, my reinforcments finally make it to the Soviet frontlines and make their presence known. It appears the SU is a bit low on supplies as they keep running out around noontime. If their poor logistics keep up, I should be able solidify my defensive effort and then possibly organize a counteroffensive. More Allies down, yet so many more to go... http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Iraq.png http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Liberia.png At last, the reunification of France! Well, kinda... http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Frenchie.png While I could use more IC, I'll be gifting some of my French provinces to Vichy. They need manpower and a third tech team more than I need IC and resources. So, since I'm giving away land, why not add another member to my alliance? http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Flanders.png Welcome Flanders, may fascism serve you well. Unfortunately, those American divisions have grown like a cancerous tumor (about 18 of them there now.). I'm still waiting on Vichy troops to get up there and snuff 'em out for good. Well, I really hope Vichy can manage that, especially since I've already pulled most of my troops over to the Soviet front. At the very least, it won't be long before I'm bathing in sin - and commie blood. Tee hee!

I see all is going well for you, FA! I hope the bulk of the Allies don't get pushed back into the jungles of Africa, that always make for some long hard fighting.

Yet another technological breakthrough: http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/RBT.png Half of my IC has been dedicated to shore up my military for the upcoming war with the Allies. Unfortunately, a slew of upgrades will be forthcoming and I'll most likely have to cut production back a bit once some of these runs are completed. Damn Soviets! http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/SUJap.png This kinda irks me, I was hoping that I could link up with the Japs in Persia... Oh well, best of luck to ya l'il buddies. The time has come... http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/War-1.png http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Action.png The bulk of my forces are set to push through France & BeNeLux. France has quite a bit of armor, but nothing my boys can't handle. I've got another 20+ divisions coming out of Turkey to take Iraq & Persia, 6 divisions in Ethopia, and 6 more in W. Africa to take Liberia and then will ferry down to the French colonies. Oh, and an amphibious landing against Suez with paratrooper support. The FullAuto Jinx: http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Dammit.png This is bad. This is very bad... Romania and the Czechs haven't had enough time to build up a sizeable defense yet and I'll have to hold up the majority of my Turkish forces to defend that border. Crappy-crap-crap. And shit. Since my allies have yet to show any initiative on the frontlines... http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Control.png I'm also now taking exp. forces from Spain. Since they don't seem interested in Gibraltar I'll have to do it my damned self. I'll release control of the others once things get stabilized a bit. The Soviets are comin', the Soviets are comin'! http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Soviets1.png http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Soviets2.png Bastards. The Turkish Province of Kars was attacked, but it doesn't appear that the SU wants to occupy it. I've mustered up a Czech-Romania defense force from scattered inf divisions from the Bulkans and Italy, about a dozen divisions in total, it's just going to take a couple of weeks to get all of them in place... Paris falls, again. http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Progress.png Luxembourg is annexed, the Frenchies are being corraled into annihilation camps, while troop transports are floating along the coast of Africa waiting for orders to strike. Are you feelin' lucky, France? Well, are you?

Wow, the first and probably last time I'll ever see Turkey expand. Nice! I have seen the Balkan countries go bonkers like that before though, there's a hodge-podge of gaurantee independence in that region which can make for some entertaining results. If you leave the Brits be, what kind of future do the Czechs and Swiss have in store? It appears that your need for allies has got you boxed in with limited room to easily expand now. Well, unless your ready to take on the SU

Busier than I'd like, to be honest. Germans with their backs against the wall have a nasty bite. But nothing motivates scientists like a bit of war. http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Tech-1.png Holding the Czech border has been tricky. I've been utilizing a lot of support defense and shuffling six armor divisions around to keep the Wehrmacht at bay. If I can just hold out a little bit longer... And Germany surrenders! http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Surrender.png Poland gets screwed into becoming a puppet of the SU, while Denmark and Norway are free released as Stalinist regimes. USA forfeits western Europe: http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Release.png But they get to keep some Polish provinces as consolation? Oh well, maybe it will lead the Allies and SU into an unfriendly border dispute. At least I made out pretty well by getting Austria and some French and German provinces. With the Nazi's gone, Vichy needs a hug... http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Vichy-1.png At a cost of approx. $1500 and four months of persistant begging, the gap between Italy and Spain is finally bridged. Vichy doesn't have much of an army, but they do have a decent navy which will come in handy against the Allies. '44 Fascist Roman Empire: http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/FRE.png '44 Fascist Japan: http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Japan-1.png Japan hasn't been gaining much ground. Probably due to the fact that I never tied up the Brits in N. Africa. Sooo, sorry l'il fellas. Note to self - turn off expeditionary forces. http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/FRG.png In terms of resources and IC, the FRG is a goldmine. A poorly defended one at that. This almost feels like I'm exploiting the game. Almost. The introduction of improved radar brings the FRG to it's knees. http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Peace.png I rejected that offer, but out of courtesy I countered by allowing them the honor of serving as my puppet... http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/FRGPuppet.png Wow, 85% warscore with 70% required to puppet and they accepted. I didn't see that coming. Well, welcome aboard I guess... I hate this game. http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Bullshit.png I swear I'm going back to standard HoI2 after this campaign. Doomsday+Armageddon 'Intelligence' isn't worth the headache anymore. Rant aside, it's nearly time for Italy to ante up. Next spring we'll be fighting the Allies for the reunification of France!

Wow, talk about flanking the Maginot Line. Bet they never saw that coming... Oh, and this campaign just oozes "a nice and friendly Germany"

Persia had a democratic coup that resulted in them becoming a puppet of the UK while the Northern Persian provinces defaulted to the SU. Then the USA declared war on Germany and promptly joined the Allies once spring time rolled around. Even after that, all remained quiet until... Operation Barbossova: http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/War1.png The Soviets open the door of opportunity, while Portugal joins the Axis. But what to do? Outside of Gibraltar and Suez, declaring war on the Allies doesn't offer much reward especially in terms of IC and resources. The Soviet Caucus is an entertaining prospect, but having acquired Turkey has already stretched my ground forces thin. For the time being, I think I'll just sit back and watch how this unfolds. Pearl Harbor time: http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/War2.png I've been waiting for this. Hopefully, this will lure those pesky Allied forces out into the Pacific. But alas, it's winter, so I'll just stay on the sidelines a wee bit longer. D-Day + 30 or so... http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Intel-2.png Oh crap. Now the Americans are like a disease spreading into Europe. The last thing I need is an Allied Europe... The beginning of the end: http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Join.png For the Axis! I'll let Nat Spain deal with Portugal, while I try to chew through central Europe. Facing sporadic resistance, Italy gains some ground: http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Annex.png The Soviets are beginning to break through on the Eastern Front while the Americans face little resistance in the west. I've been watching Germany regroup and reinforce it's forces along our front. My forces are already stretched thin. Real thin. So once I take the few remaining Czech provinces, I'm stuck on the defensive. Italy, the liberator! http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Allies.png I also believe Ethopia has now earned the right to become a junior member of the alliance. Welcome the class of '43! Congratulations, my Spanish friends. http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Spain.png Once again the Fatherland finds itself all alone. And the Germans don't like it. Or me, they've been constantly assaulting Czech provinces... I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out either. I may actually need the Americans and Soviets to come and save me...

Yep, all that dissent disrupted production for a year or so, but has been under control for a while now. The Swiss went down without too much of a fight, afterwards we regrouped to invade Turkey. http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Turkey1-1.png Once my armies began building up some momentum, Turkey began crying... http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Turkey2.png That wasn't a terrible deal, considering the few provinces that were occupied. But... http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/Turkey3.png I think this deal is bit more beneficial for both parties The other major powers have been pretty quiet the past few years, I'm going to wait to see what they do next before I plan my next move. I need to reorganize my armies anyway, and some peace time would be most helpful in that regard. So here it is, the Fascist Roman Empire in all it's glory: http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy123/Kaije3/HoI2/World-1.png

Are there any Republican beaches that you can easily land on? Or is 'lending' the units that you already have there an option?

Are your Spanish forces in Nationalist La Coruna? If so, I believe the burden of supply falls onto the Nationalists. I know as Italy that I have to fuel and supply Nationalist planes and ships rebased to my territory. Are you planning on leaving a small contigent near Gibraltar after the civil war ends?