by Dampenon
This is an AAR of a Vassal Play (when we have obviously more time to think about our next card) against my usual “live” opponent.I'm playing USA and I know Early War is a nightmare for the defender of the Liberty, so I'm expecting the worst (everytime I'm playing USA actually...).
My initial “hand” isn't very potent with an average of only 2,4 OP/card, but two 4-OPS cards...I have Asia Scoring Card wich shouldn't be a concern for US player at start.
USSR places his initial influence in Poland and Finland and I respond with control of West Germany and Italy, securing this country as possible with a third IP.
So, it’s 1945 and Cold War begins...
Turn 1
In Headline phase, USSR plays “Middle-East Scoring”, for a tie, and USA protects Italy from Soviet Coup by “Duck and Cover”.
USSR successfully launches her spoutnik with “Nazi Scientists” help. USA extends her influence in Afghanistan and Egypt with “Olympic Games”.
USSR, showing his warlike face, makes a coup in Iran with “Korean War” (hoping some luck) and with a 5 die roll, Iran is now a USSR Puppet. Taunting my opponent with his perfect die roll, I play “NATO” for a counter-coup in this country and a (could be) doubtful 6 die roll returns Iran firmly aside Democracy.
“De Gaulle leads France” and USSR threatens Western Europe in her heart. “Arab-Israeli War” fails (for this time) but USA controls Egypt (temporarly as everyone knows Nasser will arrive) and extends influence in Malaysia.
“Independent Reds” fails to divert some East European country from Socialism (nice play fred !) so France is now controlled by Reds (a shame for a French player !) and Europe is dominated by USSR. With “US-Japan Mutual Defense Pact”, USA controls Pakistan and Thailand, so Asian is now dominated by USA.
USSR plays “Europe Scoring” for 5VP and USA plays “Asia Scoring” for 5VP too...All three scoring cards have been played in Turn 1.
USSR launches perfectly Laika in space with “Five Years Plan”. USA fails to launch her Satellite with “Vietnam Revolts”.
Situation after one Turn of Struggle :
Turn 2
In Headline Phase, US play of “Red Scare/Purge” will hamper USSR. USSR plays “Blockade” which forces me to discard “Destalinization”.
In spite of being less effective, “Nuclear Test Ban” gives control of Panama to USSR with a coup. USA plays “East European Unrest” to control Angola and put influence in Mexico and Iraq.
Thanks to “Norad”, USSR successfully launches Yuri Gagarin in Space. With “Special Relationship”, USA gains control of Spain/Portugal.
With “Defectors” and “UN Intervention”, USSR controls Syria. “Containment” gives control of Canada and Influence in Guatemala to USA.
“Suez Crisis” increases Soviet influence in Iraq. US plays “Romanian Abdication” to gain control of Zaire but Romanian becomes a Soviet puppet...
Soviet Player plays “CIA Created” to gain control of Iraq but has forgotten the outcome. Indeed, the nasty US Player uses his 1OP to make a coup in Panama...With DEFCON already at 2, Nuclear War happens in Soviet Round and Free World is saved from Comunism...
Situation before Nuclear War :
