@Noll:
Yeah I agree with the Neutral thing. They don’t look feasible, they’re too heavy defended.
In my opinion the most powerful nations at the start of the game giving their position, starting units and ipcs are UK, France, Russia.
The Ottomans are indeed in a better position than the Austrians and the Prussians.
Sweeden and Spain look like they need some tweaking in the Free for All game.
Sweden is actually quite powerful most of the time. Maybe not this game though.
Spain is the weakest at the start, but can expand into a big threat quite easily.
Austria and Prussia are usually the ones facing the most threats, and are the hardest nations to win as.
The more powerful nations require more VCs to win. France requires 7 for example, while Spain needs only 5. Spain could for example take Madrid and Lisbon (basically starts with them), as well as Rome, Alexandria, and Belfast, for the win. France on the other hand would need Paris, Lyon, Rome, Alexandria, Berlin, Vienna, and either Budapest or Konigsberg.
I think the only balance change that needs to occur is that UK currently needs 6 VCs to win, but I may push that up to 7 to match France. Russia may need to change from 5 to 6, but I’m not so sure about that. Russia actually starts the game pretty weak. Normally Sweden or Ottomans hold them off much better.
The main thing balancing the game is the politics. Once one or two players get killed, you will see a lot more changing alliances as people realize that they can’t let another player win, even if he is their ally. (only 1 player gets to win)
So, once someone is within 1 VC of victory, and maybe a turn or two away from it, his allies should probably stab him in the back, including possibly forging new alliances with their previous enemies in order to defeat the top dog.