For getting started with setups and units, I’m considering two separate ideas;
First, a setup that could arrive at the proven AA50 1941 setup of the game after a couple turns with low-luck and nominal purchases and strategy. Second, a setup that closely mimics G40.2, with or without the rebalancing efforts/“G40.3” improvements that have been suggested here over the years.Thoughts for the Axis:
Germany starts the game with the world as its oyster. In the West, it should comfortably take France and expand into pro-axis neutrals turn one, while laying the ground work for overall strategy next. A slow-starting USSR means that aggressive early pushes into Russia could yield incredible gains, but the lack of pressure from the East also means that a decisive win in the Battle of the Atlantic, Operation Sealion, or a huge Southeast Europe/Mediterranean presence are all possible. An empowered Italy can meaningfully aide Germany in a couple theaters but as always can easily become overly stretched; Western Europe defense, North Africa, the Middle East, Southeastern Europe, or the Atlantic. Three new victory cities (Cairo, Cape Town, and Rio de Janiero) all within Italy’s grasp should greatly expand her strategic options. Japan also has a larger range of options but also stronger foes: both China and Australia are much more lucrative but also tougher. There is much more money in the Pacific in general- at least 10 IPCs, depending how you count- and then there are the Aleutians to suddenly threaten the US. A quiet start for the USSR and especially the US gives the Japanese player a full couple turns to start the steamroller with only the UK in opposition.On the Allied side, the game starts grimly indeed.
For the UK, things are promising at first- more money to start and more flexible, capable options around the Empire; South Africa, India, and Australia which each have Recruitment Centers that can be quickly scaled up into regional power centers or at least fully staffed to resist Axis expansion. Hoever, Japan will be unopposed in the Pacific if the UK pulls out entirely or too early, and an empowered Italy is simultaneously much more threatening to Africa and the Middleast. There’s also the sideshow struggle of the Free French to consider, which depending on how the Vichy rolls and gameflow go could be a worthwile investment or a pointless distraction. All this while a slumbering US slowly awakens, likely to find a huge Japan growling at the door. For the USSR, a slowed start coupled with initial frontline weakness means an open-door invitation to the Germans. Huge territorial losses are likely until the reinforcements start arriving to stem the tide… unless Germany turns its gaze or finds ahistorical success elsewhere. Looking eastward the Soviets also have more options to train infantry or even create new factories East of the Urals to take the fight more directly to Japan. Finally, the US will need several turns to get going, unable to affect the starting course of the war at all. When they do enter the game in earnest, it is likely to be immediately after some crippling surprise attack that sets them back even further. The US will face the immediate urgent choice of which coast to invest in first, or perhaps will attempt to do something in both major theaters of war.
