UK - Single Player Industrial Complex Build Question

[Devil Doug]

Realizing that logistics is a big part of the game, and that my UK Navy is going to be decimated on turn one, I like to begin building industrial complexes in the following areas:

1 - Egypt or South Africa, depending on Axis Med Sea success in Round One.
2 - Somewhere near the East Indies.
3 - Brazil.

I've not yet tried Eastern Canada, but it looks like a lively spot to try, as I can certainly see where Canada could be an early game changer (Build factor 3).

No, I don't build all three on turn one, it's more of an "acquired taste" as the game develops. I'm just wondering where other game players using this same strategy like to place their own UK Industrial complexes, in what order, and why?

[Father of WAR]

egypt is a no on the 1st turn unless battleship is gone.
s afr. is a no on the 1st turn as it is too easy for japan to key on it
3 brazil is a yes if germany doesn't build ships, but usually wait until 2nd turn
4. east indies is a no as japan can key on it

[Juggernaut]

I never buy UK industrial complexes unless the game is effectively already won. Then I may place one in eastern Europe to hasten Germany's defeat. This is entirely unnecessary and probably inefficient.

UK ICs in Africa are probably the worst choice because they fall to Japan so easily. UK ICs on DEI, Borneo, and Philippines only happen vs competent play on a KJF, and they only serve to limit US production. This is a big no-no in most cases. Canada is just unnecessary because you already have one in UK. Brazil you should not be able to unless US is knocked out of the game, and if you are buying it with US you already have 12 production in East USA. Just build units there and transport them. Transports > ICs.

The only powers building ICs in most cases should be US on KJF or Japan on KGF.

[Ris Dnalor]

I agree with Juggernaut. I don't even buy them in the late game anymore for UK, but then I don't get in a rush in the late game, even if I have a big advantage. I just continue buying tons of infantry with a little air support, and steamroll slowly & inexorably forward to end of the game.

While buying an IC doesn't necessarily mean you'll lose the game because of it, it's not the most efficient usage of your IPCs.

Building ground in India, then shuffling air units from Great Britain <--> W. Russia <--> India as needed to defend / threaten the appropriate areas seems more efficient to me, and I've never felt like Buying an IC would've altered the outcome of a game in a favorable manner.

I also agree that the Japan needs to build a 2 ICs, usually on turn 2 and 3 --- and then USA during a KJF, might build an IC on Borneo (or less ideally Philipines) on US 4, and then potentially multiple ICs in Asia during rounds 5-8 assuming they do not take Tokyo ( which I do not attempt, unless it's left wide open, because blockading the island is more efficient. )

[Devil Doug]

Originally posted by Juggernaut:

I never buy UK industrial complexes unless the game is effectively already won. Then I may place one in eastern Europe to hasten Germany's defeat. This is entirely unnecessary and probably inefficient.

UK ICs in Africa are probably the worst choice because they fall to Japan so easily. UK ICs on DEI, Borneo, and Philippines only happen vs competent play on a KJF, and they only serve to limit US production. This is a big no-no in most cases. Canada is just unnecessary because you already have one in UK. Brazil you should not be able to unless US is knocked out of the game, and if you are buying it with US you already have 12 production in East USA. Just build units there and transport them. Transports > ICs.

The only powers building ICs in most cases should be US on KJF or Japan on KGF.

My question was, "If you use the same strategy, then where do you build first?"

[Devil Doug]

Originally posted by Juggernaut:

I never buy UK industrial complexes unless the game is effectively already won. Then I may place one in eastern Europe to hasten Germany's defeat. This is entirely unnecessary and probably inefficient.

UK ICs in Africa are probably the worst choice because they fall to Japan so easily. UK ICs on DEI, Borneo, and Philippines only happen vs competent play on a KJF, and they only serve to limit US production. This is a big no-no in most cases. Canada is just unnecessary because you already have one in UK. Brazil you should not be able to unless US is knocked out of the game, and if you are buying it with US you already have 12 production in East USA. Just build units there and transport them. Transports > ICs.

The only powers building ICs in most cases should be US on KJF or Japan on KGF.

Apparently you misread my question. I'm not trying to steal your strategies, just asking for what experience you have that I can adapt to my own strategy. Particularly when it comes down to placing UK Industrial Complexes. If you have no advice on the subject, then you have no advice on the subject.

You have slapped me down previously, so much that your word is no good to me anymore, and I'd rather hear from other players not named, Juggernaut.

[Devil Doug]

Originally posted by Ris Dnalor:

I agree with Juggernaut. I don't even buy them in the late game anymore for UK, but then I don't get in a rush in the late game, even if I have a big advantage. I just continue buying tons of infantry with a little air support, and steamroll slowly & inexorably forward to end of the game.

While buying an IC doesn't necessarily mean you'll lose the game because of it, it's not the most efficient usage of your IPCs.

Building ground in India, then shuffling air units from Great Britain <--> W. Russia <--> India as needed to defend / threaten the appropriate areas seems more efficient to me, and I've never felt like Buying an IC would've altered the outcome of a game in a favorable manner.

I also agree that the Japan needs to build a 2 ICs, usually on turn 2 and 3 --- and then USA during a KJF, might build an IC on Borneo (or less ideally Philipines) on US 4, and then potentially multiple ICs in Asia during rounds 5-8 assuming they do not take Tokyo ( which I do not attempt, unless it's left wide open, because blockading the island is more efficient. )

I''d really rather take advice from someone else. Anybody else at this point. Please leave this discussion. Whatever you say, I'm doing the exact opposite from now on.

[Ris Dnalor]

Originally posted by Devil Doug:

Originally posted by Ris Dnalor:

I agree with Juggernaut. I don't even buy them in the late game anymore for UK, but then I don't get in a rush in the late game, even if I have a big advantage. I just continue buying tons of infantry with a little air support, and steamroll slowly & inexorably forward to end of the game.

While buying an IC doesn't necessarily mean you'll lose the game because of it, it's not the most efficient usage of your IPCs.

Building ground in India, then shuffling air units from Great Britain <--> W. Russia <--> India as needed to defend / threaten the appropriate areas seems more efficient to me, and I've never felt like Buying an IC would've altered the outcome of a game in a favorable manner.

I also agree that the Japan needs to build a 2 ICs, usually on turn 2 and 3 --- and then USA during a KJF, might build an IC on Borneo (or less ideally Philipines) on US 4, and then potentially multiple ICs in Asia during rounds 5-8 assuming they do not take Tokyo ( which I do not attempt, unless it's left wide open, because blockading the island is more efficient. )

I''d really rather take advice from someone else. Anybody else at this point. Please leave this discussion. Whatever you say, I'm doing the exact opposite from now on.

Juggernaut has good advice and also falls in the "anybody else" column.

Also, if you manage to lose Washington DC & Brazil, and then liberate Brazil with UK and place a UK I.C. in brazil, that would be an accomplishment worthy of a screenshot. Please do share this if it happens.

;)

Oh. Almost forgot why I came back to this thread. I do sometimes build a UK IC in French Indo China, if I'm not able to have the US take that territory. So, it wasn't true that I never build a UK IC.

[Devil Doug]

Originally posted by Father of WAR:

egypt is a no on the 1st turn unless battleship is gone.
s afr. is a no on the 1st turn as it is too easy for japan to key on it
3 brazil is a yes if germany doesn't build ships, but usually wait until 2nd turn
4. east indies is a no as japan can key on it

Father of War:
I'm unsure how you play this game, but I have never lost a single Industrial Complex to any other faction, so would you care to elaborate further?

I've already noticed that if my UK Navy destroys the Japanese Navy, that the USA Navy will not jump into the Pacific Ocean at all. USA will move to the Atlantic instead.

Seems like there are both do's & don'ts to make the AI actually ally with the UK, and that is my main question here.

Where can I build my UK factories, and still keep the other Allied partners aggressively still in the game, logistics wise, that's my question to you?

[Devil Doug]

Originally posted by Ris Dnalor:

Originally posted by Devil Doug:

I''d really rather take advice from someone else. Anybody else at this point. Please leave this discussion. Whatever you say, I'm doing the exact opposite from now on.

Juggernaut has good advice and also falls in the "anybody else" column.

Also, if you manage to lose Washington DC & Brazil, and then liberate Brazil with UK and place a UK I.C. in brazil, that would be an accomplishment worthy of a screenshot. Please do share this if it happens.

;)

Oh. Almost forgot why I came back to this thread. I do sometimes build a UK IC in French Indo China, if I'm not able to have the US take that territory. So, it wasn't true that I never build a UK IC.

I've never lost DC or Brazil, so I don't have any idea what is going on inside of your brain housing group at the moment.

Semper Fidelis! "We win, and they lose." ~ President Ronald Reagan

[Juggernaut]

Originally posted by Devil Doug:

Originally posted by Juggernaut:

I never buy UK industrial complexes unless the game is effectively already won. Then I may place one in eastern Europe to hasten Germany's defeat. This is entirely unnecessary and probably inefficient.

UK ICs in Africa are probably the worst choice because they fall to Japan so easily. UK ICs on DEI, Borneo, and Philippines only happen vs competent play on a KJF, and they only serve to limit US production. This is a big no-no in most cases. Canada is just unnecessary because you already have one in UK. Brazil you should not be able to unless US is knocked out of the game, and if you are buying it with US you already have 12 production in East USA. Just build units there and transport them. Transports > ICs.

The only powers building ICs in most cases should be US on KJF or Japan on KGF.

Apparently you misread my question. I'm not trying to steal your strategies, just asking for what experience you have that I can adapt to my own strategy. Particularly when it comes down to placing UK Industrial Complexes. If you have no advice on the subject, then you have no advice on the subject.

You have slapped me down previously, so much that your word is no good to me anymore, and I'd rather hear from other players not named, Juggernaut.

My apologies, Commander! I didn't realize we were having a strategy discussion on the forums about how many industrial complexes to build when playing UK vs the AI. I shall leave you to it, as I have 0 interest in AI games. Happy gaming!

[montrealsteak]

If I have extra income I’ll buy an IC for Norway and run 5 transports. But in this scenario the game is mostly won anyway and buying bombers would probably be more efficient.

[Althaas]

Originally posted by Devil Doug:

Realizing that logistics is a big part of the game, and that my UK Navy is going to be decimated on turn one, I like to begin building industrial complexes

You should stop that.

In a KGF game you will need to have secure lines of transport across the atlantic to keep US in the game. That line will protect UK transports as well, so the concern that you lose your navy turn one simply means a delay in when you can start landing troops in mainland Europe. But that delay happens even if you waste IPC's on factories.

Consider options such as;
* 3 fighters in India, - I like this as a flexible option in UK turn 1, since the fighters put pressure on Japanese navy and can be relocated to Russia if needed. So this is a resonable build in either a KGF or a KJF game.
* Aircraft carrier - To give US a head start on defending said communication line.
* 3 inf in India and rest on land units in UK. Planning to build transport once US have established naval supremacy. - This also defends if Germany set up for a turn 2 sealion.

KJF is harder, but not helped by UK pushing 15 IPC into something that can not kill axis forces.

[Devil Doug]

Originally posted by Juggernaut:

Originally posted by Devil Doug:

Apparently you misread my question. I'm not trying to steal your strategies, just asking for what experience you have that I can adapt to my own strategy. Particularly when it comes down to placing UK Industrial Complexes. If you have no advice on the subject, then you have no advice on the subject.

You have slapped me down previously, so much that your word is no good to me anymore, and I'd rather hear from other players not named, Juggernaut.

My apologies, Commander! I didn't realize we were having a strategy discussion on the forums about how many industrial complexes to build when playing UK vs the AI. I shall leave you to it, as I have 0 interest in AI games. Happy gaming!

Thank you.

[$N4K3 <O> <O>]

IC in France is often the best choice in low luck. I can't speak for standard luck considering 1 infantry can defeat 50 quadrillion fighters. As soon as you can build that IC on France and it won't be taken in the next two turns, BUILD IT. I've probably only lost once? having done so and likely due to an oversight/miscalculation. Make sure it likely won't be taken in 2 turns. Time is the key factor in this game. Pretty much any game going 15 rounds will favor Allies. Allies slow to defend Russia or pressure Axis will almost always lose a match between similar skilled opponents. An IC in South Africa mitigates UK dependency on US to save it from a G1 med build, but will likely put UK in full defense mode. Wanting 2 tanks dropped on that S. Africa IC costs a lot and you'll find you're struggling to keep pressure up in the North while defending adequately in India. I also missed the AI mention but I'm going to post anyway since apparently the thread has pretty much been accidentally hijacked.

[VaBhodi]

If you are playing vs. the AI, you can do whatever suits you, and it likely works out in your favor.

Against seasoned opponents, an IC build is a waste of 15 very valuable IPCs that any decent Axis opponent will make you regret....with rare exceptions.

I personally don't build UK ICs with the exception of three scenarios. AND the Axis player can't do anything about it for 2 turns as a previous poster said. AND I can afford to put 15 IPC towards the IC vs. ground units / air w/UK.
1) You have WE, and can hold or USA can take back and hold.
2) East Indies or Borneo if Japan can't counter. Borneo is a gamble though.
3) UK has Finland, and the Scandinavian shuck is in place. With no hope for Axis to take it.

JMHO.