@Blitchga:
I think that is exactly what Calvin was getting at. I know that I look forward to a bold Russian as I have always thought that a bold Russian is a dead Russian. (at least against Japan)
I’d say it depends. In previous versions (revised & 1942) a bold Russian could actually make economic gains in the Pacific, and it could seriously harm Japan, but it was usually predicated on also sending russian units through china and india at the same time. However, in 1940G, a bold russian can only slow Japan, as it doesn’t give them any economic gain, and because reinforcements are so very far away, it can go pear shaped for them easily.
I haven’t played a global game yet, so so it’s all armchair engineering for me, but if I were Russia, I would look for an opening to move into Manchuria first, but only on R3 or so, when Japan had started the move south. Being aggressive before that seems to put Russia in a very vulnerable position, especially as it won’t get help until Japan gets the US into the war.
The one rule that troubles me is that by declaring war with Russia against Japan, it allows Russia to move through pro ally neutrals and into UK territories. I personally think that that isn’t in the spirit of the game, and Russia should only be allowed to control neutrals or move into ANY friendly (exception of China, as that’s only pacific side) after it’s at war with the European powers. Moving into a UK space would be seen as a hostile act by Germany, and Russia’s not supposed to be hostile to Germany yet.