Game setup AI dice animations and hit assignments question

[KaosKnite]

I just started playing this game and I'm not sure if I have have a the game set up properly or not and could use some help. I used to play the 1998 version of Hasbro Interactive and in that version you assigned hits to your defenders when the offence AI attacked. Even if I'm being overwhelmed by the enemy I would still like to see the dice rolls by the AI and assign the hits. Currently if the AI wins the battle, it just moves all the pieces onto my area and I never get to roll defensive attacks and don't see the offensive rolls. It all happens in the background and that doesn't have the "board game" feel when it's all automatic. It feels like the game is cheating when you can't see the dice that the AI rolled even if it isn't cheating. I bought this game because I have nobody to play the board game with me IRL. Twice I have considered asking for a refund.

So my questions: Is there a setting that allows the user to show all dice rolls of the AI and assign the hits to your defenders?
If so, Is that part of the defensive profile?
Is there a tutorial that can help with setting up the game to give it that "board game" feel?

[Julius Borisov]

Please slow down the AI speed in Settings and then you will be able to observe its actions better, right-clicking the region which is attacked. The combat screen has a Roll Log button.

[aardvarkpepper]

You can't manually assign hits to defenders. You're only allowed to use defensive profiles.

[KaosKnite]

Then this definitely doesn't feel like a board game anymore. @ Julius Borisov since you are a developer, please take a look at the Hasbro Interactive 1998 version of this game. They made it act more like a board game gone electronic way back then. It's very disappointing that with all the tech available, this is what you all came up with. I hope I can still get a refund. I watched the video of Trent Oster CEO explain how he remembered playing the board game as a kid and I thought this would be like the board game and at least on par with the Hasbro version... it's not.

[Julius Borisov]

Hey, KaosKnite, the use of defense profiles doesn't mean you can't affect the combat as the Defender. If you access Settings, then go to the Account tab, you can create and edit new defense profiles and set a default for your account (this will automatically apply to newly created games of all types). To change the defense profile in a game, access the game settings (either from the in-game menu or by clicking the gear icon on the game card) and go to the Defense Profile tab. Changing this will affect the next combat.

You can set up multiple defense profiles and pick the one you need that or this turn.

The need to use defense profiles is due to the game's asynchronous gameplay.

You can read more about our decision to create asynchronous gameplay here: https://www.axisandallies.org/p/qa-with-axis-allies-online-developers-beamdog/

[KaosKnite]

One thing I don't like about the profile is that it takes away your ability to assign losses as you see fit. For example: If I have a fighter plane attacking with 2 infantry and 1 tank and the enemy destroys all but 1 unit in the retaliation, then I would like to be able to assign my loss to my plane so I can keep a ground unit on the area I just conquered. It's the lack of interaction that takes away the board game feel. I don't like that everything is auto-calculated and applied. At a minimum it would be nice to be able to click the "roll button" to see how you do on the defense rolls and apply your hits manually. For example, I started a game as allies and Germany attacked Karelia. That was after I had skipped my combat phase, purchased 2 tanks and reinforced it prior to the attack. I didn't even get to roll dice at all, it just wiped out everything and occupied it in one move. I can't believe other people don't have a problem with that.
Unfortunately for me I waited 3 days too long to get a refund. Maybe you will improve the "board game" feel of it in the future? Right now I wish I had the 1998 version to play. If you really want to push the envelope, take a look at Hand of Fate 2. In that game you can grab the dice and toss them like real dice. Sure it's still the same thing with random numbers, but it makes for a better user experience and a more authentic board game feel. Like your CEO said, this was a board game that he used to enjoy playing and I enjoyed playing it as well. I actually own the board game now but the problem is finding people to play it. This would be a nice alternative to the real deal if you would step it up some and work the game play interface. Drag and Drop would be nice for moving pieces as well. I'll watch for future updates. Good luck.

Update: I did find the button in settings that says to manually assign hits and not use the profile but it doesn't seem to do anything, Is that by chance a future update or is it glitched?

[76561198870661734]

Hi there @KaosKnite,

The toggle you are referring to is to automatically assign hits for your losses when attacking, similar to how it is handled for Defenders. Axis & Allies 1942 Online is designed for asynchronous play, and as such, there are no plans to add in manual selection for Defender losses into the game.

Cheers,

Cody Ouimet

[KaosKnite]

That's too bad. Big thumbs down for this game.

[OWIS]

Agreed. I want to participate in defense the same way I would in an offensive round. This totally ruins the feel of the game for me. I am playing against the AI not online. I feel like this type of play is being ignored.

[miloomis]

@KaosKnite, @OWIS,

The downside of getting to select the defensive hits - as in a live F2F board games means the game loses the ability to operate asynchronously between players. Both players (or multiple players in a 5 person game with multi-nation defense) would need to be on line at the same time - or the game would have to wait for each player to select losses before the next die roll.

This would detract from one of the big benefits of on-line play - you can go on with real life while the other player plays out a full turn.

Other folks have posted for a quick turn option - where all players agree to quick turns or to be on -line through the conclusion. If this format is added then sure - selecting defense losses is a great idea. But there are a bunch of folks that appreciate the ability to play asynchronously in order to fit some Axis and Allies in to a busy life.

[KaosKnite]

Originally posted by miloomis:

@KaosKnite, @OWIS,

The downside of getting to select the defensive hits - as in a live F2F board games means the game loses the ability to operate asynchronously between players. Both players (or multiple players in a 5 person game with multi-nation defense) would need to be on line at the same time - or the game would have to wait for each player to select losses before the next die roll.

This would detract from one of the big benefits of on-line play - you can go on with real life while the other player plays out a full turn.

Other folks have posted for a quick turn option - where all players agree to quick turns or to be on -line through the conclusion. If this format is added then sure - selecting defense losses is a great idea. But there are a bunch of folks that appreciate the ability to play asynchronously in order to fit some Axis and Allies in to a busy life.

I see your point if you only want to talk about Multiplayer online. If this game had advertised as ONLY online play then I would not have purchased it. For everyone else who would like to play offline and against AI then it should be an option to enable defensive hit decisions. I will stick with the thumbs down until this is fixed.

[McLovin]

Hi, just purchased and installed your game. Like others, I was also hoping for an updated, polished experience of the old Hasbro game and am frustrated that I cannot participate in the defensive aspect of combat. With due respect to the developers, the majority of my games would be single player vs the AI or real time with human opponents, NOT an asynchronous experience. If this is described as "one of the biggest benefits of online play", then I think the developers did not sufficiently think it through. It significantly reduces the immersion in the game to just watch from a distance.

If there is a demand for asynchronous play, then I can see why you would want to have the option to automate defensive casualties. But to have that be the sole option is a flawed decision that needs to be addressed in a future patch or even an expansion. If you are considering a $5-$10 DLC with other features, please please please move this to the front of the line!

[KaosKnite]

I'm glad to see someone else agrees with me McLovin. I however refuse to pay for a feature that should have been in the game to start with. I say patch it and fix it for free. I uninstalled this game shortly after I posted this and I won't reinstall it till it is fixed. They won't get any more money from me. I wish I had asked for a refund before my time elapsed. My bad.