Overall thoughts: I’m going to work out my own thoughts on how to win.
ATLANTIC
Germany:
Germany’s main job (once Paris falls) is to push into Russia. Anything else you do lessens the forces that head East. For every unit spent on navy, landing in Norway & Sweden, sent to Africa, or attacking Spain, all mean one less tank/plane/inf in Russia.
In Game 1 you had Germany place a factory in Africa. They can’t really get enough units there to benefit the Italian assault. It just bleeds the Eastern front.
So too does landing in Norway. Perhaps if the Allies move in first, but it’s conditional upon having a navy capable of transporting across, which can be costly. Again, pulling forces away from Moscow.
I’ve seen a lot of infantry stacks, but as you’ve discovered in our games, they aren’t fast enough to make it to the front. Some combination of inf with more mobile units is key.
Italy:
Italy’s main objective is to take the heat off of Germany, and reduce the number of fronts. Pivotal to this is taking Egypt. If Italy takes Egypt, it becomes much more difficult for the Allies. The US must spend into Africa, relieving pressure on Japan.
Any forces sent West before you have Egypt, reduce the chances of victory.
Think of it this way: ask yourself, how could France threaten Italy from North Africa? They don’t have the money to do so. Let them be while you go all-in on Egypt. If you lose Egypt you’ve lost. If you take it, well, it will be pretty simple to take North Africa then, wouldn’t it?
Whatever your concern is to the West, typically the US swooping in, it’s better to double back after Egypt when you can spend the majority of your money to counter the US. If it’s a two-front war when the US shows up, Italy can’t compete vs US AND the UK.
Finland and Romania
Simply survive and help out the Axis as best they can. Maybe if Germany must go naval then Finland can buy navy each round? 1 dd would help a lot. Germany can land units in Finland if they have navy.
Romania can can-opener units for Germany. Maybe keep mechs and mobile units in the wings. Force Russia to protect more territory.
PACIFIC
The Axis need a bit more luck in the Pacific, IMO. They have more targets to choose from, each capable of causing problems: Russia, China, India, ANZAC, Alaska, Hawaii, and more powers that can can-open and piggy back off of each other.
Division of forces.
One mistake I see is swapping factories and splitting them between Hisaichi and Yamamoto.
Yamamoto
His main goal is naval supremacy and protection. He must counter the US naval/air purchases. To that end, every island must go to him. It is crucial that he deploy where needed and not get boxed in. The Philippines are a must. I think the Dutch capital should also go to him. Push the boundaries East, and get some forward-deployed factories. Set up your own Pearl Harbor somewhere. Put a buffer between you and Japan.
Hisaichi
Hisaichi has more options. While Yam is in a naval battle from the word go, Hisaichi should choose Russia, China, or India, and move all in.
His main goal is to focus on the land invasion of Asia. Pick a target and knock them out one at a time. If you waffle between Russia and China, you won’t have enough to knock one of them out. TAKE HONG KONG. Yamamoto should never take this. It’s a free factory that can deploy 6 land units a turn. Crucial for Hisaichi, whereas any naval units deployed here by Yam are far from the front, and any land units by Yam are weakening his navy that must contend with the US’s big money.
Vs. Russia.
Russia can drop a lot of cash in your direction, so time your offensive with a pushing German assault. If you move too early without going all-in, Russia can spend in your direction while German is still fussing with France. You won’t see much gain for a lot of effort.
If you attack early, then send everything. Concede territory to China. If you can knock out Kaask, then you can spend it all against China. Take everything you can, including all of the territory in the Soviet Far East above Japan on turn 1. That’s worth 10-12 ICs for Russia, so don’t give it to him for free. Let the UK keep Hong Kong for a round or two if you must. They’re so busy elsewhere trying to get the leg up on Italy, they usually won’t spend there, and if they do, it won’t be enough to make a difference.
Vs. China.
Get new factories up fast and push in. Expect to lose some ground to Russia, and hold the line whatever the cost. Ensure that you leave enough behind at your factories to counter any Russia stack, the rest should charge East. ATTACK EVERYWHERE. China is pressed for cash and can only get more by pushing into your territory. Mobile units and air will make the difference. Slowly accumulate planes if viable to guarantee you get the upper hand on any even exchange. Always have a mech in your stack to maximize blitzing. China can’t afford the pricier units unless you’re losing.
Vs. India.
Sumatra is the key to taking India. Even if you don’t have enough to take India, leaving the option open greatly reduces Allied opportunities. If you don’t take Sumatra, then the Allies are free to land and reinforce wherever they want, soon to threaten your inner island circle.
I haven’t worked out the mechanics in my head as to who will take it. It will most likely be a group effort. Malaya is a given to become Axis. Thai can use the money, but another factory for Hisaichi would be very useful.
The French Indochina territories would also make great factories to aim for India.
The problem then becomes containing China and Russia. Russia may ignore you as well, contending with Germany, but China has nothing else to do. If you’re going for India, pushing into China is vital. You may not need to reach the knockout blow against them, but enough so that they’re no longer a threat.
Overall it’s good to threaten rather than be threatened. When not possible, to hold the line at a stalemate. If you manage to take all of the island chains, you should consider Australia. I have never seen it be successful, as the Allies can tighten up on defense pretty fast. If you do entertain the idea, I think it better to do an amphibious assault on the capital every round. If you wait to walk across Australia itself, that takes way too long.
