G40 Balance Mod - Rules and Download

I have looked for threads that deal with this but they are sort of rambling and don’t quite answer all my questions. If you can point me to a thread or pdf that explains it all, that would be great. Otherwise a response here for these questions/comments will be greatly appreciated. Also, the Notes tab in the game itself does not address most of these. And I am interested in what the Triplea rules are now, not the original game rules. Thanks.

If Japan attacks Dutch islands, UK can declare War on Japan, correct? Does that include Anzac can do the same? Or do one or both automatically go to War with Japan if Dutch are attacked? And does AI handle properly?

If French Indochina is attacked, same question. UK/Anzac can declare war or are they immediately at War? AI handles properly?

For both 1. and 2. above, I assume that if they are at War with Japan automatically, that the US can then declare War on Japan? OR, if UK/Anzac simply can choose now to go to War, then if they attack Japan, the US can not go to War until the proper turn?

Can Anzac and UK declare War on Japan at any time in all cases? If that is the case, then the answer should be that an attack on the Dutch or French IS an act/declaration of war by Japan and that US can then also go to War in their next turn.

With Russia, I have noticed that it is very hard to not have the Mongolians join Russia, even if Russia declares War 1st. But, am I correct in remembering that if Russia attacks Manchuria first, then Mongolians will not join Russia even if Japan takes back Manchuria and attacks Amur?

Thanks!

heh heh that ought to keep a guy busy

I’m reviewing all Vichy rules available out there, as I plan to make a unique mod, because I like historical realism and simplicity, with minimized luck of dice, and some “asymmetric balance”.

Some major points I’ve posted elsewhere in the forum:

The main issue for this expansion is how to develop French neutrality, while at the same time providing a bonus to Germany. Apparently ignored by most players, in real life (IRL), Germany economically exploited Vichy, which had to richly sustain 300,000 German troops stationed in Northern France. Therefore, in the game, it only makes total sense that Germany gets the 3 IPCs from Vichy Southern France.

Another related major issue is what to do with French colonies in terms of neutrality/occupation and IPC flows. I agree that the Vichy setup should reflect what happened IRL: North Africa, Syria, and Indochina go to Vichy, while other French colonies stay Free. However, it messes up Italy’s incursions into North Africa (as IRL, Hitler denied French colonies to Italy). I’m not sure yet as to the best approach to subjecting these colonies to invasion, occupation, and who gains IPCs (other than agreeing that Japan has easy access “rights” over Vichy Indochina), and also remote units…

Germany never fought Vichy. IRL, with Operation Torch, Germany simply occupied Vichy in 1942, with no resistance whatsoever. Vichy units were disbanded. That can be also the case in the game. Just remove Vichy units.

The uncertainty surrounding local pre-battles is quite interesting (will Vichy troops welcome or resist Allies in North Africa?..). However, I’d try to minimize dice randomness that is often used to decide some outcome. IRL, Vichy troops (just like Italians) surrendered as soon as seeing enemy superiority: thus, in the game, if Allies send more land + air units than defending Vichy units, then there should be no battle but quick surrender. Or, make it highly unlikely that a battle would ensue (for example, need to roll a 1).

I’m now working on my own house rules, for an expansion (HBG lingo) that is quite realistic, fun yet simple. If anyone is interested, let me know and I’ll be happy to share my rules when ready…

phd_angel@yahoo.com

Chicago, December 2020

@Imperious:

The look of the map needs to be really redone with a different aesthetic if you want to make it a success. It appears that the easy way out was taken by using that old map or rehashing an old map already made for another purpose.

Yes it is IL. Play testing it with different territory values of Russian , China and Islands.
Making Japan have to go and get and defend islands if they want any money.

@Thoes426 - Thank you for your hint, where to find the Global39 rules. That you like the game, sounds good for me. Hope, I ill get the map tomorrow.

@Tigerman77 - Yes, I will also read the rules in more detail - as I said before. If any further questions appear from that, it is good to know, that I can refer to you.

In the interest of putting unit variant house rules ideas in one place, I’m starting a new thread.  Here’s my tentative list:

Piece              Name                  Attack        Defense        Move        Cost        Special
Soldier 1        Para. Infantry          2                2                1            4            Can be air dropped w/ +1 attack

Soldier 2        Elite/ Marine            2                2                1            4            + 1 Attack during Amphibious Assult

Truck/
TT Jeep        Motor Unit                0                0                2            1            Can Blitz: “Motorizer” for Infantry/Art.

Gun(1)          Artillery                  2                2                1            4            + 1 to infantry attack on 1-1 basis

Gun (2)          Heavy Artillery          2                3                1            5            + 1 to infantry attack on 1-1 basis

Half-Track    Mech. Infantry          2                2                2            4            Can Blitz

Tank 1          Armor                      3                2                2            5            Can Blitz

Tank 2          Heavy Armor              3                3                2            6            Can Blitz

Fighter 1      Fighter                      3                4                4            12

Fighter2/      Fighter-Bomber/
Light Bomber  Tac Bomber              4                2                4            12            +1 tanks attack on 1-1 basis

Bomber        Bomber                      4                1                6            14

Da Komrad.

Just remember that if you are attacking German and Japanese submarines you have to roll to detect each group of submarines.  Not only if you are being attacked by Kaitens and regular submarines.

I try to implement a scale when it comes to Russia and the US.  Russia whenever it takes occupied nations back from the Germans can either add it to her territory and recieve IPs for it or she can liberate it without gaining any IPs.  The more territories she takes for her own the closer she goes to war with the US and Britian.  Eventually aid is suspended and after a while war is declared.  After that my friends and I have many rules about what happens afterward.  Also the scale to which these consequences occur varies, but it works.