How Play by Email (PBEM) Works for Axis & Allies on IAAPA

Updated

IAAPA (the International Axis and Allies Players Association) runs its games primarily through Play by Email, or PBEM. Instead of sitting down for one long session, you and your opponent exchange turns by email, and a dice server handles all combat rolls automatically. This suits players who love Axis & Allies but can't block out hours at a stretch. IAAPA currently supports two editions: Axis and Allies Classic (the original 1984 game) and Axis and Allies Revised (AAR, also called 4th edition or A&A 2004).

What PBEM actually changes

PBEM keeps the full game intact — same map, same units, same combat rules — but decouples it from a single sitting. You take your turn when you have time, send it, and your opponent responds when they have time. The main pieces that make this work:

  • A dice server. IAAPA's dice server rolls battles for you automatically. It produces a verification log and emails the results to both players, so neither side can dispute what was rolled.
  • Map programs. Downloadable tools for tracking the board state as the game progresses.
  • Odds calculators. Downloadable tools for judging the probability of a given battle before you commit to it.

How a turn typically flows

  1. You and your opponent agree on an edition (Classic or Revised) and start a game.
  2. On your turn, you plan moves and declare attacks.
  3. Battles are resolved through the dice server rather than physical dice. The server rolls, logs the result, and sends it to both players.
  4. You update the board using the map program, then email the position to your opponent.
  5. Your opponent repeats the process on their turn.

The exact file formats and submission steps depend on the tools you download, so check the site's downloads and new player information before your first game.

Why the dice server matters

In face-to-face play, both players watch the dice. In PBEM, they don't. The verification log is what replaces that shared observation — it records the rolls and distributes them to both players, so a battle outcome is something you can both check rather than something one player reports. This is the core reason PBEM works at all for a game as dice-heavy as Axis & Allies.

Who this is for

PBEM fits you if:

  • You want regular Axis & Allies games but can't schedule long face-to-face sessions.
  • You're comfortable with email and downloading small utilities.
  • You play Classic or Revised specifically — those are the two editions IAAPA supports.

It fits you less well if you want real-time back-and-forth or play a newer edition outside those two.

Getting started

IAAPA describes itself as the oldest Axis & Allies gaming organization in the world, with an active core of players so you can find an opponent. The site points new players to a "New Player Information" section and a mentorship program, and joining runs through what it calls "The Final Hurdle." The organization states membership is 100% free. Beyond regular games, it also runs tournaments throughout the year.

If you're new, the practical order is: read the new player information, join, then look for the map program and odds calculator downloads and the dice server instructions before your first match.