Small setup modification G40

Introducing Vichy France does spice up the game, but all this is doing is allocating funds to a very minor power that could be better used by Germany or Italy.

It’s a tough draw for Italy, the only way they can have some fun is if the German player cooperates by letting Italy take Southern France (prevents blockade losses) and strafes Yugoslavia. Sparing any air in Africa would be icing on the cake.

@General:

It’s a tough draw for Italy, the only way they can have some fun is if the German player cooperates by letting Italy take Southern France (prevents blockade losses) and strafes Yugoslavia.

Fair enough.  Staying within YG’s requirement for a six-player setup, maybe an alternate solution would be this:

Player 1: Germany + Italy
Player 2: Japan
Player 3: Soviet Union
Player 4: United States
Player 5: United Kingdom
Player 6: ANZAC + France + China

Out of curiosity, I checked the above concept against the prescribed Global 1940 order of play.  Organizing the list by order of play, it would read as:

1. Germany – Player 1
2. Soviet Union – Player 3
3. Japan – Player 2
4. United States – Player 4
5. China – Player 6
6. United Kingdom – Player 5
7. Italy – Player 1
8. ANZAC – Player 6
9. France – Player 6

Organizing the list by player number, it would read as:

Player 1: Germany + Italy: plays 1st and 7th
Player 2: Japan: plays 3rd
Player 3: Soviet Union: plays 2nd
Player 4: United States: plays 4th
Player 5: United Kingdom: plays 6th
Player 6: ANZAC + France + China: plays 5th, 8th and 9th

One last thing I’ll add is that Italy may not a desirable option but Russia is no picnic. You’re spending the first several hours bending but hoping not to break, and building a TON of infantry in the process. Sure it requires special care to plan defenses and opportune counterattacks, but it’s by far the least sexy (and always has been) option of the Big Three Allies.

What about removing a transport that is guaranteed to be a goner in exchange for an extra infantry and artillery in Tobruk? Basically a shuttle before the game begins.

@General:

What about removing a transport that is guaranteed to be a goner in exchange for an extra infantry and artillery in Tobruk? Basically a shuttle before the game begins.

I’d at least put them in Libya or split them between Libya/Tobruk so Egypt isn’t as compromised.

Thanks YG, it’s good you’re actively questioning and tinkering with the game as it helps keep it fresh.

Splitting the new units does make sense too.

What we do with Vichy France is that as soon as France (the territory) and Normandy are captured, the French turn phase is removed (and no French units can move.) Now on non combat moves any unit from any power (besides the USSR) can move into a French territory or sea zone and activate it for either Vichy France or the Free French. However to keep it simple, to represent this, the territory now belongs to that power, and any French units that were on it now belong to that power and can move normally.
We believe that this adds another element of strategy, as well as giving Italy a bit of an easier time at it.

Some Special Rules:
The French units that begin in a territory or sea zone with the UK in it become UK as soon as France and Normandy fall.

What do you guys think?