Great map and planes, I had a lot of fun last night.
I think a big part of the game-play in this set up has to do with the geography of A54 and A55. The fighting is centered around these two close bases. Captures are unlikely in this map, so the fighting may remain here all week.
The huge mountain between these two bases dictates that most fights will end up in one of the valleys. When this happens, the side that owns the valley will quickly gain a numbers advantage since the drive to the fight is so much shorter. The valleys increase the likelihood that those on the offence will become anchored.
When anchored, the 202s and 109Es are really at a disadvantage, especially at 54’s very steep, narrow valley. They need more time to work their prey into a firing position. This time allows for more Allies to show up and outnumber them. The very tight valley at 54 offers few escape routs. In a 202 or 109E, it’s pretty hard to knock down your enemy and recover E before one of his friends re-enters the fight.
P-40s attacking 55 can also get anchored, but their 50s are so effective at a snapshot that they don’t have to blow all of their E when attacking. Last night I found this to be true on several occasions. 55s wider valley offers a chance of escape in more directions.
This is not a whine or complaint, just an observation.
Although I think the P-40E has the advantage, I don’t think the plane set needs to be changed in this set-up. One-on-one, 202 vs P-40E, I think I’d rather have the 202. In a furball however, the P-40 has the overall advantage because of its long range, quick killing 50s.
IMO, the addition of the 109F (as some have asked) would swing the advantage greatly to the axis. I’d be confident fighting at a 1:2 disadvantage in this set up if the 109F were to be added, especially knowing that Eagler, GRUNHERZ, and a few others would also be flying it. I also think that adding the 109F would swing numbers to the Axis. It’s very bad for one side to have a performance AND numbers advantage.
eskimo
