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6 months
ago -
Secret Master
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While AA in both divisions and at the state level is a solid investment in many cases, I am not sure a "no air" Soviet build is worthwhile in the current build.
Others have noted a bunch of issues, but let me break it down my way.
1) AA guns are cheaper than planes in both cost and resources. You can easily spam both support AA and line AA in your divisions just using steel. You can produce AA guns from day 1, and even though Tier 1 AA guns aren't as good as the Tier 2 guns you can get in 1939-1940, they are still solid.,
2) State AA is more expensive than just spamming AA guns for divisions, but you really need it to deter LOG strikes and strategic bombing. Note that strategic bombing isn't just about factories, but STRs can bomb forts, railways, infrastructure, and other state level stuff. Once built, state level AA is permanent. It can be bombed, but it will repair itself over time like all other buildings even with no factories dedicated to repair. Of course, it's tied to a state, so as the front moves, it becomes less relevant.
3) Armored trains can claim enemy kills, but the number of kills they claim will be small compared to the cost of the trains.
4) AA guns never shoot down planes on air superiority. AA guns nerf the air superiority modifier, but all those Bf109s will fly forever. You won't wear down the Luftwaffe's fighter arm this way. You may not care about this, but the western powers certainly will. (It's your call whether you care about that, though.)
5) With no air power, you will find that defending is much easier than attacking with your AA guns. Sitting in entrenchment and covering yourself with AA can reduce the impact of the Luftwaffe. But attacking is much harder because you will move out of the coverage area for state AA if you successfully attack, the speed reduction from enemy air superiority will nerf your armored thrusts, and even with state AA and armored trains, there is no panacea for LOG strikes. That means you can expect low supply penalties hurting all offensives.
6) Synth plants are not required for a Soviet air force. Just buy rubber overland from Malaysia and India. Or buy it from Japan if Japan takes all that stuff. In fact, if I could find the thread, I would show you the math behind how long it takes synth plants to pay themselves off versus just buying the rubber outright. It seems like bad economics to buy rubber, but the reality is buying is usually better than making your own unless it's impossible to buy.
7) Because the Soviets have their own oil and aluminum, a Soviet air force isn't that expensive to make and maintain. Don't let the rubber cost scare you. It is perfectly possible to beat the Luftwaffe in 6 months using Soviet factories, aluminum, and oil while just buying the requisite rubber.
8) Once the Luftwaffe is effectively dead, going on the offensive and beating the Axis is much easier. Having your own air power is a power multiplier when on the attack. I would also remind everyone that the AI Axis is rather fragile with regards to trains and trucks. Having your own air force should let you obliterate Germany's truck and train stockpile.
Others have noted a bunch of issues, but let me break it down my way.
1) AA guns are cheaper than planes in both cost and resources. You can easily spam both support AA and line AA in your divisions just using steel. You can produce AA guns from day 1, and even though Tier 1 AA guns aren't as good as the Tier 2 guns you can get in 1939-1940, they are still solid.,
2) State AA is more expensive than just spamming AA guns for divisions, but you really need it to deter LOG strikes and strategic bombing. Note that strategic bombing isn't just about factories, but STRs can bomb forts, railways, infrastructure, and other state level stuff. Once built, state level AA is permanent. It can be bombed, but it will repair itself over time like all other buildings even with no factories dedicated to repair. Of course, it's tied to a state, so as the front moves, it becomes less relevant.
3) Armored trains can claim enemy kills, but the number of kills they claim will be small compared to the cost of the trains.
4) AA guns never shoot down planes on air superiority. AA guns nerf the air superiority modifier, but all those Bf109s will fly forever. You won't wear down the Luftwaffe's fighter arm this way. You may not care about this, but the western powers certainly will. (It's your call whether you care about that, though.)
5) With no air power, you will find that defending is much easier than attacking with your AA guns. Sitting in entrenchment and covering yourself with AA can reduce the impact of the Luftwaffe. But attacking is much harder because you will move out of the coverage area for state AA if you successfully attack, the speed reduction from enemy air superiority will nerf your armored thrusts, and even with state AA and armored trains, there is no panacea for LOG strikes. That means you can expect low supply penalties hurting all offensives.
6) Synth plants are not required for a Soviet air force. Just buy rubber overland from Malaysia and India. Or buy it from Japan if Japan takes all that stuff. In fact, if I could find the thread, I would show you the math behind how long it takes synth plants to pay themselves off versus just buying the rubber outright. It seems like bad economics to buy rubber, but the reality is buying is usually better than making your own unless it's impossible to buy.
7) Because the Soviets have their own oil and aluminum, a Soviet air force isn't that expensive to make and maintain. Don't let the rubber cost scare you. It is perfectly possible to beat the Luftwaffe in 6 months using Soviet factories, aluminum, and oil while just buying the requisite rubber.
8) Once the Luftwaffe is effectively dead, going on the offensive and beating the Axis is much easier. Having your own air power is a power multiplier when on the attack. I would also remind everyone that the AI Axis is rather fragile with regards to trains and trucks. Having your own air force should let you obliterate Germany's truck and train stockpile.
