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Patch 14: New dice option rolls out today!🎲

Patch 14: New dice option rolls out today!🎲

November 18 2020 in

Attention Commanders:

Patch 14 for Axis & Allies 1942 Online arrives today!

Today's patch adds stability improvements, bug fixes, plus a major new feature: Stabilized Dice mode for custom games!

We know dice-rolls have been a pain point for many players. We're hopeful today's update will address some of your concerns, while staying true to the spirit of the board game. Huge thanks to our amazing community for your continued support and enthusiasm as we work to make Axis & Allies 1942 Online the best it can be!

Read on for full patch notes— and details on the Stabilized Dice mode rolling out today...

Patch Highlights

  • 🎲Stabilized Dice for Custom Games
  • 🛡️Defense Profiles can now be set differently for each power
  • 🤝Friends List improvements

*Outage Notice: Please expect an outage on Monday, November 23 from 10 am PT - 12 pm PT while we implement the patch.

Patch Notes

Stability & Polish

  • Added improvements to game stability
  • Increased saves in local games to improve performance
  • Added various bug fixes

Friends List

  • Added ability to unfriend users
  • Fixed loading issue affecting lists with 50+ friends

Defense Profiles

  • Added the ability to set different defense profiles for each power
    • Defense profiles can be adjusted from the game-lobby or in-game from the options
    • This feature will be available for all types (i.e. both custom & ranked games)

*We've added an FAQ about this feature - check it out below!

Stabilized Dice Option

  • Added a Stabilized Dice Option for custom online, hotseat & single player games
    • Stabilized Dice will be the default option for custom online games & single player games
    • The dice mode selected during game-creation will apply to all combat rolls for that game
  • Ranked games will continue to use the Standard Dice mode at this time

*We've added an FAQ about this feature - check it out below!

FAQ - Stabilized Dice | Axis & Allies 1942 Online

Why are we adding a new dice mode?

There’s been a ton of discussion in our community around dice rolls. We’ve heard you, and we understand that the randomness of the dice just doesn’t feel right.

Common feedback on the dice includes:

  • Industrial Complexes in Strategic Bombing Raids feel like they disproportionately roll hits on Bombers.
  • “Low percentage” plays (i.e. where an outcome that is highly unlikely) seem to happen more often than expected— especially in the context of Round 1 Russia/Germany actions.

Players plan combat moves based on probabilities, so when those plans don't conform to expectations it’s understandably frustrating.

Based on your feedback, we've added a “Stabilized Dice” option for custom games. Our goal is for the combat to feel satisfying and strategic while staying true to the element of chance at the heart of the board game. *Standard Dice mode will still currently be available for those who prefer to live and die by the unforgiving RNG gods!

What are Stabilized Dice?

Stabilized dice are an alternative method of random number generation. This dice mode will still be random, but will control for extreme outcomes, and should feel more natural as a result. Our objective is to allow player strategy to play a larger part in the overall game by reducing the chances that dice can swing a whole game in a single roll.

Does this mean you will never see a completely lopsided result? No. We’re not removing the ability for this result to occur, but we are making it less likely going forward.

✔️Stabilized Dice mode reduces the frequency of low-percentage rolls

✔️Players should see fewer battles with extreme results

❌Stabilized Dice mode does not aggregate or group together unit rolls

❌Stabilized Dice mode does not reduce the number of dice rolled in any battles

We want to hear your thoughts on this exciting new feature! If you love it, or you’re running into weird results— we want to know!

Please share your thoughts with us in our Dice Survey here.

How do I change the dice mode?

In the create game dialog, you’ll find a new tab labelled “Dice Mode.” On the Dice Mode tab you can toggle between the Standard Dice mode (the original dice mode) and Stabilized Dice (new dice mode).

By default, all custom games (including online, hotseat, and single player) will now be set to stabilized dice, but the game owner can change this to their preferred method.

Please note that Stabilized Dice are not currently available for Ranked Games.

Is the Stabilized Dice mode available for all game types?

No. Stabilized Dice are supported for custom online games, and offline hotseat and single player games, but the mode is not available for Ranked Games at this time. Ranked Games will continue to use Standard Dice for the time being. The feedback we hear from the community will guide our decisions on whether or not to add Stabilized Dice to Ranked Games.

Share your thoughts on the new dice mode in our Dice Survey here.

Do Stabilized Dice affect all rolls in a game?

Yes. If the option is selected at game creation, all rolls (including AI rolls) use the same generation method whenever a roll is required.

Can I change this option mid-game?

No. Dice modes must be selected during game creation, and cannot be changed once the game starts.

I still lost a completely lopsided battle that was in my favour! What gives?

This is still entirely something that can happen. Axis & Allies is a game about both risk management, and about miracles—or tragedies— of chance. These should happen less frequently in the Stabilized Dice mode, but they're still going to be a possibility.

Stabilized Dice are still in development. Share your thoughts on the new dice mode in our Dice Survey here.

FAQ - Defense Profiles | Axis & Allies 1942 Online

What changes are being made to the defense profile system?

With the new patch, you’ll be able to change what defense profile each of your powers uses. For example, if you control both the United Kingdom and the United States, you’ll be able to set a different profile for each power to use.

Is this available in all games?

Yes! This feature is available for all game types.

Does changing a profile for a power affect all games where I control that power?

No. For example, if you control the Soviet Union in one game, changing the defense profile for the Soviet Union there will not affect any other games where you control the Soviet Union.

What is the maximum number of defense profiles I can have?

Currently, 6. We’re open to increasing this in the future if there’s demand, so let us know!