 |
||
 |
 |
|
Blackdog has returned as the IAAPA Herald!!! You can now anticipate, (or dread) the return of his writings in all future issues of the Havoc. Without further ado. . .
Greetings, my fellow warriors. I am pleased to be back at my desk, and am eager to get back to my task of reporting various tidbits of what is going on in the IAAPA. With my return also comes the re-instatement of "Snapshots in Time", your monthly ratings ladder. I would like you to note that January's "Snapshots. . ." is a direct jump from September's standings. Both pages will be added to the website shortly, if they are not already there. During my absence, Airship (Omar) filled in for me behind the scenes. I believe that you will find his report included in this issue of Havoc. During the month of February I will work to correct any discrepancies between documents so that we have an uninterrupted flow of the ratings history. Now for the good stuff. . .
So you think you are good, huh? Take a gander at our top five players as of January 20th:
| # | Prev | High | Rate | Player | Rank | Record | Ranking Points |
| 1 | 17 | 1 | 1432 | Steiner | MAJ | 36 - 10 | 25 |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 1427 | Byrons_Brigade | GEN*** | 45 - 16 | 53 |
| 3 | nr | 3 | 1415 | Rewstr | GEN**** | 92 - 24 | 154 |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 1407 | HighCmmdr | GEN**** | 75 - 21 | 77 |
| 5 | 7t | 5 | 1401 | Starchild | GEN*** | 77 - 33 | 75 |
I dare you to give any of them the Axis at 21. After you become an outpatient at your local hospital, you will need counseling before you ever think of bidding higher than 18.
So you're a bit intimidated by those five? I don't blame you. Then taking a bite out of. . .
Blackdog's Big Game List
What follows is a list of players that I have placed a bounty on. The bounty is this: In a future issue of the Havoc, I will extol the virtues of anyone who can take down one or more of these monsters. Good luck on your hunting, and take along your biggest dice.
| Rewstr | 92-24 |
| Diecaster | 18-1 |
| andrew cowdrey@ | 17-2 |
| ArAmesh | 9-1 |
| Nieles | 24-4 |
| Elind | 7-0 |
| Crozier | 7-1 |
| jettman | 7-1 |
| Einswine | 10-2 |
| w0nderd0g | 10-2 |
Ask Blackdog. . .
Blackdog,
I only recently started playing Axis and Allies on-line. What a shock! I could routinely beat anyone in my play group and stumbled upon IAAPA one day while surfing. My first thought was "Cool, A&A online. I can test myself against players from around the world!". When I saw that you guys actually gave the Axis extra pieces, I thought that I would rocket to the top of the standings, and be hailed as the best general of all time. In reality, I had my Axis handed to me in a basket. How can I improve my play?
Sincerely,
Bunkered in Berlin
Well Bunkered,
Welcome to the War!! As you have found out, competition in the IAAPA is of the highest level. My first advice to you is, HANG IN THERE and keep playing. Examine your games and try to figure out what went wrong. Don't be too quick to blame the dice either. Most of the time you will find out that you were simply out-played. I highly recommend that you check out the Message Boards for tips on strategy, and to get the answers to questions on how to improve your play.
Blackdog
Greetings,
The game has started to get stale for me. Most of the games I have played have become the same old tired thing. I just don't find any excitement anymore. Is there any hope for me.
Thanks,
Bored and Blue
Hey Bored,
Try to keep your enthusiasm in check for a minute will you? I don't think my heart can take anymore excitement right now. There is more to IAAPA than the typical sanctioned games. Give the Campaign League a look see, or try your hand in the ITSL (IAAPA Team Super League). You can find details about them in the Tourney section of the Main Page. Each gives you a different challenge while remaining sanctioned for ladder play. If that doesn't get you going, then give Cutthroat a go! Starchild is the overseer for this particular format and it has seen a recent revival in play. Every country is on its own and everyone is out for blood. A new endeavor being tried is the multi-player format. Five players get together and try to bring their side to victory while they also try to outdo their partners. Here is a quote from one of the guys that is involved:
"Brings back memories of years past. The challenge of being able to see the common goal amongst 2 or 3 sets of eyes. Jockeying for you partner(s) buy in on how to proceed. Resisting the urge to let the game discourse lower itself to partners saying 'I told you that was a dumb attack.'
Ahhh, the good ole days of 5 player Face to Face. Come visit the game most of us were hooked by."
I love it. Let's you work with/against more people and really broadens one's IAAPA universe. Greatly enhanced by the presence of the chat room. It's a blast.
Thanks,
PSU_SigEp"
Well that's it for this month. Look for me to be hounding you in future issues.
Blackdog
Oh yeah, if you have any questions or comments, write me at herald@axisandallies.net Criticisms will be dealt with accordingly. :o)