Are you sure on the oil thing? Axis had 15+ armoured divisions, 15-20 air divisions, 10+ subs, and half a dozen motorised divisions, and was able to continue apparently using them until 1944 on 15 day turns without capturing a single oil field. What's the AI's secret? I can't even get past '41 ...

In my previous games, I gave the AI a big advantage, and it managed to research things much quicker than I can (not sure how research works, even with max labs I am always left well behind). In both games it's tanks were about level 17 when mine were level 5. This threw up a situation that seemed ...

I use them as reserves behind the front line, using any spare rail capacity to shift them forwards.

In answer to my own questions:

AI does not use oil limitations, and nor does it seem to pay attention to Fog of War (which is a shame).

Next question: How come the AI always manages to upgrade everything long before I can, even when I am maxed out on labs?

I tried out the map and OOB (but not the other adjustments - I use my own). Works pretty well, though it does make the strategy of envelopment much harder as there are more supply points. I'd reduce the number of towns in the USSR, as this effects the strategy too much, but it works very well ...

I had a few questions that don't seem to be covered by the rule book, and I'll post them in this thread as I remember them in case anyone has the time to answer them.

- What does Organisation do?
- Does the AI pay any attention to Fog of War (it seems remarkably opportunistic regarding ungarrisoned ...

Actually, the point I was making was not whether it can be done (it can - I do it by capturing all the oil fields on the map), but whether it's a realistic/reasonable basis, as it does force a fairly standard set of tactics on the Axis player. I'd like to see the real pain from oil consumption kick ...

I do conserve oil, but even with just the starting units, you can't conduct the war in a similar fashion to Germany without running out by the end of '41, which seems too early.

Ooh - that actually sounds quite useful! I might buy a couple more leaders then. I take it that since effectiveness recuperates over time, that to get the full benefit you need to have the same units near the leader for a few rounds.

I'm a bit under-inspired by the effectiveness of subs against the AI. I understand in head to head games, they are much harder to find, because of the playback rules, but vs the AI, a sub that makes any attack is a gonner. The balance seems to be wrong. Subs need some way to hide after attacks ...

Sorry - this should have been in the general forum, but I'd appreciate a reply anyway!

I have played a couple of games with the axis on hard and moderate, and in both cases, using pretty much just starting mechanised forces and some extra subs, I was out of oil by end 41 (even with Mosul and Makon captured). Am I the only one with this problem? It also seems too early to be running ...

I'm a bit confused about this one, but since they are so expensive, they must have some major benefits... what do leaders actually do?!

PLayed two games with Axis to about mid '42, on hard and moderate. In both cases oil basically ran out by early '41, despite capturing Mosul and Makon early (balance is not quite right on the oil). D-Day started March 41, which left me with a war on two fronts. Repelled the invasion, but caused my ...