Are the Italians for the 1st edition the same color as the 2nd edition?

@ampdrive
To be competitive Italy need to reach +20 and I2, and 30 IPC at I3
Otherwise anybody can enter the med, with no effort

@manstein39:

If Germany is going Barbarossa, I usually buy the following on the first three turns:

US1: CV, DD, Fighter save 1 IPC
US2: CV, Fighterx2
US3: TTx4, Sub

That way you can use 3 transports to pick up your 3 mechs and drop them on Brazil.  Your other 2 transports and your other navy can drop the remaining US starting units in Gibraltar.  This can be reinforced with a UK air base and fighters and any ships they may have available to protect against axis counters.

Hey folks,

I did read the entire thread. However I have to say that imo manstein’s post looks like the only thought through strategy to me.
I cannot believe that waiting till round 6 to have a least a chance of an invasion in Europe can be a good strategy. I have to admit that I mostly played Axis so far but I think it is key to disturb the German and the Italian AS EARLY as possible! We need to keep in mind that also an NO is linked to Gibraltar, so leaving this for 2 rounds just gives Italy extra resources.

Thanks manstein, to me your strategy is an optimized way to get the maximum as quick as possible to Europe!

I really doubt that mass bomber early can be the way to be. Sacrificing bombers vs fleet or using them as cannonfodder in Moscow is wast of IPCs. I think the key is to get a landing in Europe which cannot be countered easily in the next turn. THEN you need air to attack further territories or fighters to defend.

However as I said I still need to get experience with US. I will certainly go the “drop quickly” way:-)

Thanks!

As Soviet Union I prefer to buy something like 2 mechs and a tank for my forward ICs and set up for an quick strike into Finland/Norway and Iraq on Turns 4/5.  Those NO IPCs come in handy, but it has to be a hasty retreat thereafter.  Sometimes, if the German army is split I can pull off one or two successful attacks against the rising tide, but only if I don’t leave myself vulnerable to the counterattack.  Of course, if Germany attacks prior to Turn 4 then the Soviet invasion of Scandinavia/Iraq must be abandoned.

Hi stever7804 and welcome.
You are right: it  is beginning of the game.
Means Japan can only make a Major IC on Korea. Not on any Chinese territory, even the ones they begin the game with, as these territories are still Chinese.
It also means the US cannot capture Norway and build a Major one there.
It is better for balance.
Hope that is what you meant.

Italy taking London?! Now I’m intrigued!  That sounds crazy awesome.  Have no idea how it could work.  A risky move, no doubt. Like letting Italy clean up Paris after Germany does the dirty work.  I’m a big fan of non traditional strategies.

I would think its good to give extra guys and ipc’s to Italy. You can add a couple Italian tanks to start driving into Russia (maybe to can opener). You could also get them into the African fight if you can keep the Italian navy a float.

I will say I like to take Yugo w/Germany for a possible IC build if it looks like the Italian navy is going under. A few German subs in the Med (with German air) could help axis turn things right. Plus both Italy and Germany can build in the same sz. I know Greece gives you this option too, but it can be invaded to easy from sz 99.

@Imperious:

On UK 1 they build the 9 inf, not naval.

The ships from Gibraltar move to block, but these are lost if Germany tries anyway.

The advantage is your getting some German air exchanged.

The latter problem is if they don’t attack, you still have a buy a fleet and make it save because Germany will still have subs and UK needs to kill them to get its NO’s

If the fleet attacks Italy, they take out the Italian navy in addition to german air

I have heard blue but I have not heard the shade.