AR 196 *DONE*

Weeds, I'd call that a square 8. Not ideal, as its going to still have problems if the German player doesn't have air superiority, and as a fighter, its going to be undependable at night (so much so that I wouldn't touch it in a night game, for the same reasons I typically wouldn't ever bother with standard fighters at night). The other attack stats are interesting, but as you point out, this is really all about the Spotting Ability, and on an unescorted plane with 5 armor, its still going to be a challenge to get anything out of it. At least it might suck up a defensive fighter(?).  In no way to I think this plane needs to be a world beater, so maybe that's fair.  I just want it to be worth its points, otherwise, we're wasting time with the card.

The Rufe comparisons made on the previous page are interesting, but from my perspective the Rufe is really a very specialized plane that performs well at night and has limited utility in daylight. Without the benefit of being a patrol bomber, the Ar196 isn't going to be great at night at all (placing only on 5+) and will not excel in day games without air superiority. It makes direct comparisons between the two planes pretty difficult because their roles are so different.  While it is classed as a fighter, this plane is going to end up playing more like a patrol bomber that can't be escorted.  The old Beaufighter card is now more or less a bookmark because of that problem.  Combining the "fighter" type with a spotting SA (which has typically been the domain of Patrol Bombers) just makes this hard.

If the plane really must be a 9 pointer, I strongly prefer Weed's alternative with the extra SA that grants 5 armor in a solo environment.  I think that still may be overcosted even with that addition, but at least its a nod to the plane's historical employment as a lone scout and it might make the occasional appearance in a game.  

I think cost wise this thing is a better comparison using the Skua;;

  Better; SA's,Vidal, AA  and every turn ASW;; Loses out on Bomb value.

 I think you can justify 8 easy

    It does have a MG; but what do you really need it for; Without the ups and downs of Mission Selection

 are you going to Strafe at 2 when you can just Bomb at 3 die 

  

That is an interesting idea. Not sure what it means to the game since similar SA's are at Range 2.

I'll be doing a playtest of this unit (as is, 9 points) tonight. Will provide update tomorrow. Germans vs. British 1940 year, 200 points.

You are probably right. But to me this is the best chance to give the Germans something along the lines of "Shadowing." I would like to see it be able to do that and have a half decent chance of using it before it is knocked out of the air. The other attacks are minor and mainly of historical interest. It was a very good utility aircraft for the Kriegsmarine. I guess I am kind of fond of it. Plus it is a seaplane/flying boat, which I think are the best air units for the game. The He-115 and Bv-138 were disappointing to me. I hope this one is usable.

Ok so it's 1940 and the Germans have made a push for Jutland (they never learn), but this time they had more range and firepower to stay longer. A pair of AR-196s were reported by British Intelligence to be scouting for the German Fleet.

Game: 1940 year limit, 200 points, no squalls or darkness.

From an air perspective the Brits had a Short Sunderland, a pair of Spitfires (Land Based) with an Forward Airbase so that one could come out every turn if needed. The Germans brought a pair of AR-196s, a BF-109 and a pair of Stukas. So the Germans did have a slight advantage in the Air count.

The rest of the fleets were composed of Destroyers, Crusiers, and each Country brought a single Battleship (Gneisenau vs. Nelson). It is worth noting that the Germans also had a Koromoran in the British backfield.

Turn 1; both the German and British fleets moved up with the Brits winning initiative. The Germans loaded the 2 Stukas and BF-109 into a sector with a Cruiser and Destroyer (smoker)... the Brits wanting to protect the smoker put both Spitfires in the sector leaving the AR-196s to roam freely. One 'spotted' the Nelson and radioed back to the Gneisenau which utilizing it Long Shot 6 SA just missed causing damage to the Nelson (1 hit shy, had 8 successes - as an aside we used a different color die for the spotter and we blame him since the die came up a '3'). The other actually went after the Short Sunderland to no effect.

Turn 2; with the Germans losing initiative, both fleets closed in for a bloody melee. The Ar-196s sought the protection of the Gneisenau and Cruiser still on the German side of the board, the lone spitfire came out to hunt the AR-196s. An AR-196 and the Spitfire were both splashed the first by the Spitfire the latter by the AA fire of the Gneisenau. Spotting the Nelson which was 2 squares away from the Gneisenau/AR196 chaos ensued, the important aspect this time around is that the Gneisenau Vitaled the Nelson with the 'spotter die' rolling a 6... otherwise the attack would have merely been a 'hit'. The Gneisenau ended up taking 3 hits that turn from the Nelson and a Torpedo.

Turn 3+; the rest of the game was pretty much the Germans controlling the board. It is interesting to note though, that with careful placement and providing a more enticing target the AR-196s can survive the battle.

SOME NOTES ON THE GAME:

While the Germans had air superiority during turn 1, this was not the case on turn two (2 AR196s vs. Spitfire & Sunderland, with the LB Spitfire able to come out if I placed on the Brit side of the board). So while it may seem to the German advantage, Air was actually quite even.

The AR196s didn't use the attack methods during the game (Brits brought no subs, and no crippled Brit destroyers were left alone)

Granted with the 1940 year, air power was limited and the BF-109 and Spitfire ruled the skies, however attack craft are also SEVERELY limited with the Swordfish/Sunderland/Stukas being the better attack craft. So the AR-196 in this capacity is a good fit... in later years I can see the use going down as an attack craft but again with more prominent threats and careful placement I can see this aircraft doing well as it is.

Any questions from anyone?


EDIT: On turn one both Stukas were aborted with 1 making it's Press the Attack roll, which ended up crippling the targeted destroyer.