I like the idea that you reduced the Japanese tanks since most of the Major Countries had good medium tanks but Japan used them mainly with Infantry support and they were light tanks, especially compared to the others. I am curious why you did not reduce the Italian tanks as well.
Of course it was considered, but Italy at 12 IPC has little room to expand, unlike Japan. The main concern was no more Japanese tank drives to Moscow. This is verboten, though players can still do it, but it adds nothing to japanese victory ( just like it would if it could happen in any universe)
Italy also benefited from more doctrinal employment of their tanks based on the German model, because frequently these units had German leadership behind it. So their was ‘iron in the glove’ as they say.
The choices in this game are very interesting. Germany can have very different games if it decides to attack France or Poland first.
If they attack Poland first, Germany takes ( or not) Benelux, Norway, and Poland. Italy will try to get Yugoslavia and Greece to avoid war. France might build or rather complete the Maginot line and extend it to the border at Benelux, which makes it harder on turn 2. The German counter is to SBR Paris on G1, and knock the French IPC from 12 to below 8, which means both bombers need to be used. The drawback of this is they often drop paratroopers in Norway on G1 and need to take it on G1, because the British often land in Narvik ( historical).
Remember attacks against ( into not from) Norway, Sweden, and Finland are only for one round.
Also, by not attacking France on G1, the French navy can attack the German subs. The Germans play just before France and usually take out the Gibraltar naval squadron.
Now if Germany takes Paris on G1, Italy is at war and they play after UK, so problems can happen. But the good thing is the Suez closes down because Levant states go Vichy, forcing UK to capture them on her turn.
But the other thing to remember is if you attack France on G2, your tanks are out of position for Barbarossa on G3.
The Soviets take east Poland, attack Viipiri ( usually fail), and take the Baltic states. They also sometimes go after Persia so they got some extra money.
Japan builds up her navy and for 3 turns just goes after China, and this is a big task! China has alot of forces ( get 5 inf, and 1 art just from builds/Burma road). Japan has less Infantry, but lots of planes, but have to use them wisely. They slowly take China and it is not an ACME wall in the slightest. If Japan does not commit, they will not take China unless they really bring the hardware over.
USA usually builds Pacific naval and sends all lend lease to UK ( allocated on turn 2 sent to UK on turn 3) USSR ( allocated on turn 4 sent on turn 5).
WE have not played with tech.
Russia likes to build fortifications on the approaches to her oil fields. Losing them is a big deal, and Germany and Romania target the south in many games. We had one game they played out exactly like WW2 ( it was uncanny actually).
The Soviets are much more fun to play. The lend lease rules require only hardware to be built and this gives the Soviets a real dynamic military force. They don’t just buy infantry and artillery anymore.
Italy and USSR getting a bomber is very important and unique in this game. Paratroopers are often bought by Germany and marines are often bought by Italians and Americans.
All the various new ideas in this game provide really good experience, because the economics are in the allies favor, while the Axis get all these interesting units to exploit that advantage ( tactical bombers and mech infantry as well as Waffen SS).
We had one game where the axis lost, but took UK 3 times with airborne. In that game the axis got to the gates of Moscow and fell short… at Stalingrad of all places ( thats where the Romanian army was and it got crushed!)
This game is really something special, everyone who saw it were convinced it was Global 1940 or at least some ‘new’ AA product. The players said they enjoyed it much more than AA50 or AA42, which they usually play as well as AAP40.
