Does anyone know some good strategies for playing Italy without the pacific(focusing more on Mare Nostrum)

@Soviet-Steamroller I’ve always found the Stalingrad strategy to be a difficult one, as it’s just too far from Germany’s industrial base. Couple that with the fact that the Soviets can reach both Ukraine and Stalingrad in one turn with mechs and tanks, and it seems like Germany just runs out of steam. They’re not able to effectively crush the Soviets before the US is knocking on their door. If Italy assists, that gives it a much better chance of success, but my Italian strategy is usually focused on Africa and the Middle East.

By contrast, Leningrad is much closer to Germany’s power base, and with transports in the Baltic, it’s generally a simple matter to capture and hold it, using it as an industrial base for the assault on Moscow. Because it takes the Soviets two turns minimum to reach it, it is nearly impossible for them to mount a counter-attack and take it back. Furthermore, the air base allows Germany to keep their air force in play to defend the homeland, while still menacing the majority of Soviet territory.

I also like to wait until G2 to declare war against the Soviets, just to keep Britain guessing. I can see why you’d go with a G1 attack on the Soviets, though, since as you say, it definitely puts them back on their heels. For my tastes, I just find it allows Britain much more freedom and clarity. Without any pressure against Britain’s capital, they can usually build enough navy/air force to make your life miserable.

Again, just my two cents.

Could a russian carrier be used as an early leap frog for allied planes to Moscow?

I mean, there are other better methods I’m sure (Persia)  but it could prove interesting.

Even better, the russians could move the carrier to boost British fighter range and open additional landing zones.

Italy taking London?! Now I’m intrigued!  That sounds crazy awesome.  Have no idea how it could work.  A risky move, no doubt. Like letting Italy clean up Paris after Germany does the dirty work.  I’m a big fan of non traditional strategies.

I usually figure half and hour to an hour per round as long as players have a concrete idea of what they want to accomplish and plan during other people’s turns.  So, the fastest game of Europe I have had so far was this last weekend, at 4.5 hours and 5 rounds.

In my curent game, the UK attacked the Italian BB, CA and Trn fleet losing a Tac Bomber and one hit on the UK carrier, letting the fighter from Alexandria land on the island in the UK Med.  This move put a serious hurt on the Italians.  They were faced with three bad problems.  The French fleet would have to be ignored during Italy-1.  The Italians could move 2 inf with their other transport to Trans-Jordan to close the Med via the Suez, but then this would doom the transport.  Or the Italians could attack the UK fleet of 1 damaged CV, CA and DD with 1 CA, 1 DD & 2 figs.  I opted for this attack and brought the tranny hoping it would be able to survive after the UK-2 turn.  The UK got a hit and I killed the UK fleet.  France came over with their CA and DD and finished the job so the Italians have no fleet in the Med at all at the end of turn 1.  It will be a miracle if the Italians make anything happen before the US runs into and all over Africa.

The UK-1 attack of the Italian fleet looks so strong I can’t imagine it not being done.  Can the UK not build enough infantry to prevent any possible Sealion so they will always be able to execute the Med attack on the Italian Navy?

@Driel310:

They would need to take over Gibraltar first and then sail through the big Atlantic…… Not sure if they can pull this off before the USA kicks them out.

I know it’ll never happen. I just wanted to know for fun

@LHoffman:

@Make_It_Round:

Italy. For the novelty factor alone.
I like problem-solving, and Italy is bound to have more problems than the proverbial one-armed paper hanger…
Plus, it looks like there’ll finally be something interesting to do in Africa, with so many French and British units around to roll up.

I’d like Italy because they aren’t all over the place, they basically have only 1 front and they can have a fun and challenging time taking over Africa. Very little stress. They can just do what they like and support the Germans as needed… What a life!

I probably won’t be Italy first… but they’d be fun to play with as you could experiment a good bit… with what to attack and where to go. You could play as Italy the first time and learn what not to do with other powers by just watching everyone else. Then you’d be more prepared when you play again.

@Proud:

@TitusAndronicus:

I think what he’s saying is Russia controls the fate of the game, which is probably true.  It dictates how much resources the UK and US can put into the Pacific and Africa to keep the Axis away from the IPC pinata.  A strong Russia will instigate pressure on the Germans with minimal western support while a weak Russia forces the Allies to play piggyback the Reds and provide a weaker defense against Japan.

Probably yes because russia is usually what determines the game. If russia holds until Western help can arrive or better yet, take germany then allies usually win. If russia falls axis usually win.

Agreed. Very true.