Axis And Allies Calculator 1940

Estimate the outcome of your combat moves with this detailed odds calculator.

Attacking Units

Defending Units

Battle Conditions

Enter units to see the battle forecast.

Expected Casualties (Per Round)

Unit Type	Attacker Losses	Defender Losses

Casualties are removed from cheapest to most expensive (infantry first). This is an estimate for one round of combat.

What is an Axis and Allies Calculator 1940?

An axis and allies calculator 1940 is a specialized tool for players of the board game “Axis & Allies Global 1940” and its variants (Europe 1940, Pacific 1940). It’s not a financial calculator, but a probability simulator. Its purpose is to take a list of attacking and defending units in a specific battle and compute the most likely outcome. Instead of relying on gut feeling, players can make data-driven decisions about whether to attack a territory, how many units to commit, and what losses to expect. This is crucial for high-level strategy, where a single battle can change the course of the game.

Common misunderstandings often revolve around certainty. A calculator provides probabilities and expected averages, not a guaranteed result. The “luck of the dice” is always a factor in the actual game, but a calculator shows what is most likely to happen over many identical battles. For more on core game mechanics, see our Axis and Allies rules clarifications page.

The Formula Behind the Axis and Allies Calculator 1940

This calculator uses the principle of **Expected Value** to determine the outcome. For each side, the total number of expected hits is the sum of each unit’s hit probability multiplied by the number of those units. The formula is:

Expected Hits = Σ (Number of Units × Hit Chance)

The “Hit Chance” is determined by the unit’s attack or defense value. Since a standard die has 6 sides, a unit that hits on a ‘3’ or less has a 3/6 (or 50%) chance of hitting.

Unit Statistics Table

The calculations are based on the standard unit values for Axis & Allies Global 1940.

Unit stats used in calculations. Costs are in IPC (Industrial Production Certificates).

Unit	Attack	Defense	Cost (IPC)	Notes
Infantry	1	2	3	Attacks at 2 when paired with an Artillery
Artillery	2	2	4	Supports one Infantry
Tank	3	3	6	–
Fighter	3	4	10	–
Bomber	4	1	12	–
Destroyer	2	2	8	–
Submarine	2	1	6	–
Cruiser	3	3	12	Can provide bombardment
Aircraft Carrier	0	2	14	–
Battleship	4	4	20	Can provide bombardment, takes 2 hits

Practical Examples

Example 1: A Land Battle in Russia

Imagine Germany attacks the Soviet Union. The forces are:

• Attacker (Germany): 5 Infantry, 2 Artillery, 3 Tanks
• Defender (Soviet Union): 7 Infantry, 1 Tank

Using the axis and allies calculator 1940, you would input these values. The calculator accounts for the 2 German Artillery supporting 2 German Infantry, increasing their attack value. The result would show the expected hits for both sides, helping the German player decide if the attack is worthwhile or if they need to commit more forces. Understanding the Axis and Allies unit cost guide is essential for valuing these trade-offs.

Example 2: An Amphibious Assault in the Pacific

Imagine the USA wants to take a Japanese-held island.

• Attacker (USA): 3 Infantry, 1 Artillery (on transports), supported by 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser, and 1 Battleship.
• Defender (Japan): 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery.

Here, you would check the “Amphibious Assault” box. The calculator will add the one-time bombardment shots from the Cruiser and Battleship to the attacker’s total expected hits. This is a complex scenario where a calculator is invaluable to understand the true Axis and Allies combat odds.

How to Use This Axis and Allies Calculator 1940

1. Enter Attacking Units: In the left column, input the number of each unit type participating in the attack.
2. Enter Defending Units: In the right column, do the same for the defending force in the target territory.
3. Set Battle Conditions: Check the “Amphibious Assault” box if landing troops from transports. This will automatically add bombardment from eligible Cruisers and Battleships.
4. Review the Results: The calculator instantly updates.
   • Expected Hits: The average number of successful hits each side will score in one round.
   • IPC Loss: The total IPC value of units expected to be lost, assuming cheapest units are lost first. This is a great measure of the battle’s economic impact.
   • Casualties Table: See a breakdown of exactly which units are likely to be destroyed.
5. Analyze and Decide: Use the results to inform your strategy. Is the cost worth the prize? Should you bring more planes? This tool helps answer those questions.

Key Factors That Affect Battle Outcomes

• Force Composition: A balanced force of infantry for defense and tanks/planes for offense is often better than a single-unit stack.
• Artillery Support: Pairing each attacking infantry with an artillery doubles the infantry’s effectiveness, a massive boost.
• Bombardment: In amphibious assaults, the free shots from Battleships and Cruisers can soften up a defense before the land battle even begins.
• Unit Cost (IPC): Losing a 3-IPC infantry is very different from losing a 12-IPC bomber. The calculator’s IPC Loss metric helps quantify this.
• The Casualty Strip: Attackers must remove their own casualties. Deciding which units to lose is a key skill. Our calculator assumes the cheapest units are lost first, which is standard practice.
• Variance (Luck): While the calculator shows the average, a lucky or unlucky streak of dice rolls can change everything. A good general always has a backup plan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is this calculator 100% accurate?

It is 100% accurate at calculating the *expected average* outcome. It shows you the most probable result. However, due to dice rolls, any single battle in the real game can deviate from this average. Think of it as a weather forecast, not a crystal ball.

2. How does the calculator handle Artillery support?

It automatically pairs each attacking Artillery with one attacking Infantry, upgrading that Infantry’s attack value from 1 to 2. If you have more Infantry than Artillery, the extra Infantry attack at the normal value of 1.

3. How does the calculator handle Battleship damage?

This calculator simplifies the two-hit nature of Battleships. It calculates their expected hits based on their full combat value. When calculating IPC loss, it treats them as a 20 IPC unit that is removed in one go.

4. Why is IPC loss important?

Winning a battle but losing more IPC value than the defender is often a strategic loss. This is called a “Pyrrhic victory.” The IPC loss metric helps you evaluate the economic efficiency of your attack, a key component of the best Axis and Allies strategies.

5. Does this calculator work for other versions of Axis & Allies?

This calculator is specifically calibrated for Axis & Allies 1940 (Global, Europe, or Pacific Second Edition). While many unit stats are similar in other versions like 1942 or Anniversary, there can be differences. Use with caution for other editions.

6. What does “unitless” mean?

In this context, it simply means the inputs are counts of game pieces, not physical measurements like kilograms or meters. The outputs are either counts of “hits” or a value in “IPCs” (the game’s currency).

7. How are casualties calculated?

The calculator determines the number of hits and then removes units from the opposing side’s force based on the standard casualty order: cheapest units first. For example, if 3 hits are scored, the opponent would lose 1 infantry (cost 3), then another, and another, before any more expensive units like tanks are removed.

8. Can I use this for a Strategic Bombing Raid?

No, this is a combat calculator. A Strategic Bombing Raid is a different mechanic that involves rolling dice to determine IPC damage to an Industrial Complex, not destroying units in combat. Exploring advanced tactics like this is part of a good Axis and Allies 1940 opening moves guide.