Switching alliances for balance?

@fat-belly-general

I really like this idea, as it allows even in a three player game to have two players as the Axis.

Correct. While we all know the outcome of Axis forces in USSR, I am just pointing out here that the Just Cause for invading USSR heavily favored the Axis forces. And remember when Hitler gave the orders, the Heer was basically doing nothing but waiting to see if the air and naval power of Germany could contain UK so the army was doing nothing and neither the navy or a large air force was needed to invade USSR so why not? Personally, I would have waited for Stalin to make the first move.

@Cmdr:

I would be concerned in allowing the UK to can open like that for the Americans.

What if the turn order ended:  USA >> Italy >> Germany (Germany being first in the turn order)?

That at least permits Italy to blitz some tanks from N. Italy into Denmark to save Germany’s arse at the last minute.

London is at risk, Calcutta is at risk, Moscow is at risk… Why shouldn’t Berlin and Rome be at risk?

Forenote: many players out there insist the Allies are at an advantage; many also say that the Axis are at an advantage–like me. I particularly think Japan is at an advantage–particularly in China. So to balance this simply give the Chinese more units. Easy simple and makes it a lot funner for China and more fair to the Allies. So here is what you do: add 2 more infantry to Yunnan. This makes it pretty tough for Japan to knock out and gives China a much better chance for artillery turn one.
Now add 2 infantry to Chahar and Anhwe creating some more fights for Japan and a reduction in their forces. Note that Japan can still make a J1 attack without too many problems.

USSR: 42 (Russia worth 8, Caucasus and Vologda worth 6, Karelia and Novosibirsk worth 4, Archangel and Kazakh worth 3, Okrug, Yakut, Far East, and Buryatia worth 2
Germany: 40
UK: 24 (UK and India worth 6, Egypt and Australia worth 2, South Africa, Trans-Jordan, Western and Eastern Canada, Burma, New Zealand, Gibraltar, and Persia worth 1
Japan: 30
USA: 30 (Eastern and Western USA are worth 10, Central worth 6, Mexico and Panama worth 2)

Allows the USSR to hammer Germany and Japan. USA and UK are weaker to represent slower mobilization times. Also forces Allies to ensure USSR survives, or perish.

@Baron:

Only a few against computer AI.

::blink::

@Napoleon:

Someone tried to put extra chinese infantry on all empty territory?

Does it make a difference?

It made China an annoy bitch.

In AARHE we plan to make the AA piece represent infrastructure defence.

This is much needed as the game do not model any of that (defences). Amphibious assault against German fortifications (eg. Western Europe) should be a very different story to a casual landing on one of the Pacific islands, or Africa.

Infrastructure defence would consist of coastal batteries, anti-air guns, etc.

As for balancing in this case, a modest study of historic specifications leading to a a good model would avoid any strange/funny situations.