@miamiumike:
Whoa boy. OK - that is in direct opposite direction to what I am hearing from my 2 soon-to-be opponents - I am told a) no land units in a territory that doesn’t already have one b) no units for France or China and c) max of 1 unit per territory….
Help!
You do not need to have land units in a territory to bid land or air units there. The requirement that you already have a unit in a sea zone is only for naval units. The rule prevents certain exploits that might occur if nations were allowed to drop naval units in any sea zone. (Russian or Australian loaded transports could be especially deadly if you allow them to be placed in any sea zone.)
As for bidding units for France, I see no reason you could not bid units for France. I believe some players are overly concerned that if they give the Allies 18 or more IPC for a bid then players could stack 6 or more infantry in Paris, France and cost the Germans quite a lot of lost revenue or lost units or both. Perhaps next year the rule should be no bid units on capitols to resolve this specific issue - which I admit is an issue. However for now, there is no limit on what you can bid for France and in fact, I can see a couple of instances where a French unit may be exceptionally helpful later in the game as France is the only nation that can stop an Italian can opener.
As for bidding units for China. THIS YEAR ONLY you can bid any ground or air unit for China, since the rules do say that China can start with American units other than what they can build and use them as if they were Chinese units. (Flying Tigers.) It does not say you cannot also have armor and jeeps (Dancing Bears?) However, by consensus of this year’s players, it was decided that the rules will be amended next year to stipulate that China may only receive infantry, artillery and fighters as bid units.
In regards to how many units you can place in a territory or sea zone, there is no limit. Many players are requesting that you only place one unit per territory or sea zone, and of course, if both players agree then I have no problem with that restriction - but there is no official restriction that says that. My personal opinion is, if you are worried your opponent is going to drop 48 armored units in Bessarabia and drive to Rome in a day (all roads lead to Rome!) then bid LOWER. However, keep in mind that those restricting you to bidding one unit per territory also usually (in my experience) give you almost twice as much to spend on bids.
Lastly, the current bid rules do not prevent you from bidding to start with a technology either. (Precedent: Axis and Allies had optional rules allowing the Axis to start with specific technologies at the start of the game. Talking the classic game here, Germany had like Jet Power and Japan Super Submarines I believe.) You would have to discuss what said technology should “cost” but I would say 18 IPC worth of bid would be a good starting point. (average 6 dice * average die result of 3.5 rounded down since you are trying to get the most for your money. Your opponent might counter with 24 IPC depending on what technology you ask for. Etc.) Or, you could even negotiate to allow Russia or America to start the war earlier (good freaking luck getting your opponent to agree to that without giving HIM a bid for his side too, however!) For instance, you might say that America is allowed to declare war on the European powers if Germany invades any Russian territory, Sea Zone 125 or Sea Zone 127 (that is has a naval unit in either of those sea zones.) Precedent is set that “neutral” powers can be at war on one map only. Lastly you could even negotiate for the number of Victory Cities needed to win the game. While Germany/Italy may find it “easy” to get 8 on the European map, that Ninth might be a real b!tch or maybe you want to ask for victory conditions on one map but the other map also has to have 5 VCs Pacific or 6 VCs Europe (depending on which is the other map.)
Just because we find it easier to bid for IPC does not mean that is the only currency in the game to place bids with.
Final note: you may only keep 0, 1 or 2 IPC from your bid for your treasury. So if you bid for starting units you have to use all the materials possible for units. This gives the Axis at least a chance to see how you have laid out the board so they can make an informed decision of how they want to prosecute the war on their first turn.
