Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact

[Make_It_Round]

@oztea:

The rule is the USSR can’t make a combat move against an axis power unless attacked, or its turn 4.

Finland, Romania, Hungary, Iran, and Bulgaria are Axis Neutrals

Right, since ‘Pro-Axis Neutral’ doesn’t have the same game status as ‘Axis Power’, the former should be vulnerable to attacks from the east. It was pressure on Romania by the Soviets to give up the territory won by them in WWI that pushed them firmly into the Axis camp. This is the kind of military pressure that I assume the USSR player will also be able to exert in the new game, pre-Barbarossa.

I still think I remember Larry saying somewhere that Finland would already be a German territory at the beginning of the game, though… to represent the end of hostilities after the Winter War, so they couldn’t attack / be attacked until either Germany or the USSR threw it all in and entered into total war with each other.

[WILD BILL]

The pro neutrals will be interesting for sure. I think that rule may allow Russia to enter pro allied neutrals (possibly pro axis as well), but it may be a special ability of Russia (not the US). Its true Russia was very aggressive, and consider part of the axis at the time (the unknown). The Baltic states (as pointed out by Make_It_Round) were invaded by Russia, a few days after the Germans entered Paris (which would be Russia’s first turn). Germany could also be with in range as well depending on how Poland is carved up, or transports in the Baltic, plus it goes before Russia.  One could think that if Baltic States is a Pro allied neutral, then Russia could take it over (w/o penalty), but if Germany invades a pro allied neutral (Baltic States) it could cause a ripple effect, and allow Russia to go to war early (before rd #4). Other wise Baltic states would have to be in Russian control at game start, to keep Germany out. Yugoslavia throws a wench into that theory though, because most think it will be a pro allied neutral, and axis invading it shouldn’t allow Russia to declare war early. Then I thought the game set up could keep Germany out of Baltic States rd #1. Germany will control W Poland (containing E Prussia and boarders the Baltic States), but simply won’t have the forces to invade, but you could still have Germany invading by sea. The Baltic will be split now, and you could have a Russia dd in the sz next to Baltic states, but that won’t stop German transports from coming in as they should be able to ignore neutral Russian ships. So I still have questions about pro axis/pro allied neutrals, and how they work w/powers at war vs powers that are not at war yet.

[SgtBlitz]

@Brain:

@Make_It_Round:

The USSR will probably be busily gobbling up neutral countries in the Balkans, just like they actually did in 1940. There’ll be lots for them to do there, and in the Middle East, while gearing up to defend against Germany.

So there are going to be some added neutral territories between Russia and Germany that they can grab before the ultimate confrontation?

Nah, probably not a buffer state (or states) between Germany and Russia directly.  Might be some out of the way, such as in Romania or Greece, but Germany and Russia had partitioned Poland between them as part of the non-aggression pact.  As such, it is likely that Russia and Germany will have some forces in Poland and East Poland at game start to represent the two powers divvying up Poland and eastern europe.

I’m guesing you could start invading Russia from G1, but the forces in eastern poland will probably drag it out for a few turns until reinforcements can get there.  But I doubt Russia will have many forces BETWEEN Eastern Poland and Moscow round 1 so there might be some easily conquered empty territories ripe for the taking.  Germany will also be poorly situated to invade too, so probably a better idea to follow history.