This is an idea I've had for a few years. One or more expansion decks that cover the middle 1930s to before the war. There are a number of real and potential crises that could lead to naval clashes. The second Italian-Ethiopian war dragging in other nations. The (re)occupation of the Rhineland going hot. The second Sino-Japanese war and associated flashpoints (like the Panay incident). The Spanish Civil War.
In this time period, the fleets are smaller. Aircraft are less capable and fewer in number. Ships' antiaircraft is also less capable. No radar. No Long Lance torpedoes. No ER5, and ER4 should be less common. Modern battleships don't appear until 1937 when Dunkerque is commissioned.
I like the idea. The US and Japan had completely different air groups in 39 which are not represented in the game. One could argue that the war started in 36 with the Japanese withdrawal from the treaties, the Spanish Civil War and the Second Sino Japanese War. You could potentially move the scope of the game back a few years without needing to make it stand alone.
I like the idea. The US and Japan had completely different air groups in 39 which are not represented in the game. One could argue that the war started in 36 with the Japanese withdrawal from the treaties, the Spanish Civil War and the Second Sino Japanese War. You could potentially move the scope of the game back a few years without needing to make it stand alone.
If we "expand" the W@S to include the earlier years, say 1936 to 1941 more broadly (US units existed before 1941, but were very different, as stated), it goes against the grain of those that don't like multiple cards for the same ship. (SWO gave some US BB's 3 cards because of massive refits, and I am one who loves that!). However, their point gets stronger as:
1. What current cards are "re-dated" to an earlier time? 2. What current cards would need to be remade before being "re-dated" to an earlier time? 3. We need planes for those times, probably all new cards! (We generally "assume" no end date for cards, because as they are obsolete, no one takes them.) 4. Need new SA's for that time frame. Probably not many. 5. How many people really want "Really Bad Torpedo" as an SA for that time frame? (only partially kidding)
It can be a fun way to expand the game, and to teach ourselves about all the pre-WWII stuff going on in many oceans before the war.
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The Type 93 Torpedo was introduced to service in 1933, so....Long Lance khakis.
Developed by 1933, entered service in 1935, actually, but your point still stands.
My mistake. I thought I remembered reading that the Type 93 entered service later in the 30's. Though I don't know how long it took to fit the Type 93 to the older cruisers - ah, pg. 188 of Fleets of World War II, the Long Lance started to replace older torpedoes on the heavy cruisers by 1940. The light cruisers that carried Long Lances apparently didn't begin to receive them until 1940 or later.
In the mid/late-30's, the post-Fubuki DDs have the Type 93 torpedoes, while the cruisers have the non-LL 24" torpedoes.
I like the idea. The US and Japan had completely different air groups in 39 which are not represented in the game. One could argue that the war started in 36 with the Japanese withdrawal from the treaties, the Spanish Civil War and the Second Sino Japanese War. You could potentially move the scope of the game back a few years without needing to make it stand alone.
I don't remember if I had considered the starting years for the US and Japan (and the USSR). We could move Japan and the US back to 1939 without leaving the core war years.
How far back can we go with aircraft? I think 1935-36 would be okay.
I like the idea. The US and Japan had completely different air groups in 39 which are not represented in the game. One could argue that the war started in 36 with the Japanese withdrawal from the treaties, the Spanish Civil War and the Second Sino Japanese War. You could potentially move the scope of the game back a few years without needing to make it stand alone.
If we "expand" the W@S to include the earlier years, say 1936 to 1941 more broadly (US units existed before 1941, but were very different, as stated), it goes against the grain of those that don't like multiple cards for the same ship. (SWO gave some US BB's 3 cards because of massive refits, and I am one who loves that!). However, their point gets stronger as:
1. What current cards are "re-dated" to an earlier time? 2. What current cards would need to be remade before being "re-dated" to an earlier time? 3. We need planes for those times, probably all new cards! (We generally "assume" no end date for cards, because as they are obsolete, no one takes them.) 4. Need new SA's for that time frame. Probably not many. 5. How many people really want "Really Bad Torpedo" as an SA for that time frame? (only partially kidding)
It can be a fun way to expand the game, and to teach ourselves about all the pre-WWII stuff going on in many oceans before the war.
I agree, flesh this out some more and I think everyone would be aboard, I mean it wouldn't affect the current layout, so why not have more variety. The learning aspect of it is what really grabs my interest. I love reading all the tid bits about all the different ships and hardware. Great ideas guys!
In this case would we be talking about doing away with the Axis and allies as sides? Are we doing just nation builds and pre-war scenarios like Plan Orange? Would the British fleet combat the US fleet in alternative realities? I would like it if we run the date of the ship cards as they were created. Then depending on the year of the conflict have separate refit cards as upgrades for extra cost points. Of course this would take a massive rework of the game.
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