Anyway, we get into a discussion on whether or not the Star can be defeated and Peace and Love (I think) gets confused and challenges me. I of course say ok, because I like challenges. I say confused because I think she thought I was saying I could win against it when I was saying nobody could win against it if it's managed properly. For clarification, here is the proper setup...
Now, true the name refers to the silo formation, but in order to make the formation the most effective, you need to properly compliment it with max subs, max carriers, and airbases tucked in nice and close. This allows several things.
- Quick unloading of all subs at Defcon 1 in a safe pocket of protection.
- This in turn allows quick deployment of empty subs in anti sub mode.
- You are also already in striking range of most Russian cities
- Maximum protection from bombers/nukes from any angle with the combined forces of every fighter in your arsenal in one spot.
- Allows for multiple bomber strategies.
- Multiple medium sized raids.
- Multiple simultaneous angles of attack.
- One extremely large wave at a time.
- Non-stop waves, if well coordinated.
- Takes advantage of the land setup, Russia has to hide it's silos away from cites while you get to hide amongst them.
- Puts the victory timer on your side.
You can place surface ships in any order you like, but I've found the above to be the most efficient. Small force of battleships on the left for encroaching planes and the majority on the right to stall any attempt to invade from Indonesia.
Ok, so we try it. Peace and Love gets Asia and I take USSR. The first game I really had no idea what to do. I had said the only possible solution is to make a bold but risky mad dash with your entire fleet through Indonesia, but wasn't too sure if there would be enough ships left to make a difference once they got through. I gave it a try anyway. Defcon 5 and I put several scout battleships in the pacific and waited. Defcon 4 and I put some subs under Peace and Love's battleships. Heh, she had almost mirrored my scouts with scouts of her own. However, she then reinforced her scouts with more battleships. I counted them up and then placed the rest of my fleet in the pacific ready to make the dash.
In the end, I got pretty close score wise but wasn't able to overcome all the disadvantages of Russia. However, one thing I did learn was that even having no land support for my navy, I was able to make a big enough dent to begin to believe I had found the answer.
Reluctantly, she agreed to try a second time. We did the same dance, but this time I placed fewer scouts and moved my silos west. I also made a faster run at Indonesia and painstakingly calculated every nuke I used so I didn't suffer the same 6m deficit as before. Both games I was able to scout and destroy an airbase or two out too far west. Although, this game I had a bit of luck that saved me. I made a couple of minor runs south west towards Africa leaving one or two bombers in naval mode for radar and came upon a massive bomber wave heading the exact opposite direction. A few tactical nukes and her bomber force was diminished fairly quickly, at least it seemed I landed a couple of good hits.
Another difference in this game and the first... The first attempt, the moment she opened up her silos, I did as well and attempted to get at the cities in India. I was hoping that would be enough. Having India heavily protected is the main benefit of the Star. The second game I killed all of her silos first, then used mine. Both were very good games. I also learned that one should more or less ignore the temptation to stop and continuously bomb east Asia. I knew that was all part of the strategy behind the Star set up, but it didn't occur to me to not fall for my own tricks until after I did. The reason you don't stop (with your fleet) and bomb east Asia no matter how tempting it may be is that you need to get the most firepower you can into the Indian. This way, you can hit those oh so hard to get at Indian cities from below and hopefully take out silos there too. Then, you can use your own silos (assuming they're left) freely against east Asia.
Had Peace and Love not lost so many of her battleships at the start and instead tucked them in near the safety of India, I think I would have lost the second game as well. Thus, I still think that a very well managed Star of India is unbeatable, in a 1v1 Asia vs Russia scenario. If you doubt it, just think about this for a moment. I knew exactly what she where she was and still (because of luck more or less) only won by 2 points the second time. Plus, I've had others try it against me knowing where I was and they failed as well.
First try.
Second try. That last white flash is what put me over the top. Before that last nuke, it was 177/177 with me on top. That's how close it was.
like 3 silos, 1 airbase and 1 radar on top of cities...personally i think i could quite easily destroy the star of India and prevent your early sub launch at defcon 1 
but these are only opinions, i'll have to prove it sometime 
just like the Asia vs Africa scenerio.
, we shall try this sometime 
i'm actually quite excited to try this game with you sometime 
if you'd like 
which i tend to agree with.
