Diplomacy

IL:

BW brought up a good Q a couple of posts back.  In AARHE can the US or UK attack neutrals that are not under enemy control?  I’m thinking that I read somewhere that they could not (as they were not the aggressors in WWII) but I can’t find the reference.

For example, can the US attack S American countries just to get more IPCs?

Yes they can. You saw that on an old discussion and was a rule at one point, but the allies are just as guilty of “invading neutrals for their protection” as the axis.

Greenland
Azores
Madagascar
Levant States
Iran
Iraq
Iceland
Finland
Romania
Baltic States
Poland
Norway

The US player can attack south America, but they will turn German allies and Germany gets the money and controls them. This may bite you and not be worth the effort, when Germany is pressing against the Soviets and you got Marines fighting in Argentina….not good strategy.

But if America is attacking a South American country (e.g., instead of trying to woo it with Diplomacy over 3 VERY lucky turns)
…and destroys the newly converted German units
…and successfully invades the territory with an occupying force
…then Germany wouldn’t get the money - right?

Yes of course. But if they survive the first turn of attacks, Germany will get to control its pieces and collect income. And also since they are full German allies , they get the +1 modifier on adjacent neutrals. So if its that important to send all kinds of forces to crush 5 neutrals, while Germany gets to have more time than fine.  Also remember USA cannot do any turn functions until activated under 1939 rules. The only thing they can do is send lend lease. They cant even change or move pieces or build.

From the discussions we’ve been having the country would get an American flag and start generating money for US.

Yes once they take the nation, its a puppet US state.  If you do this in the 1939 game you will certainly lose. America cant afford to waste time sending all sorts of stuff to S America. Trust me on this. its not worth it. I got at least one guy who always tries these things thinking he found some secret to win the game. He has never won when he was allowed to do this because its a time waster.

Please correct me if I’m wrong.

I believe ya – and I can’t wait to try 1939.  Does it use AARHE 4.0 combat rules, or LHTR 2.0?  I didn’t see anything on that.

Their is a rule file containing only 1939 rules look under tekkyys files. 1939 is our “overture”

I’ve seen our AARHE Lite+ games go on for 19 turns.  I hope this is an anomoly because we were mixing and matching rules and this shortens when we go only AARHE 4.0.  They are always very tight games.  Very balanced.

Id like you to make a ruleset using cut/copy/paste so i can see what your leaving out or adding. That can help shorten the game if i know how your playing it. Our goal was quick play, but apparently some of the rules your using may be making the game longer.

So, I worry that if US invades these neutrals in the opening game that over such longs periods it could have quite an impact.  Or at least counter the German U-boat “Convoy Raid” costs on Lend-Lease programs.

You will eventually learn new ideas to counter that, and when strategy gets better the games will be shorter.

what was the vital factor in this decision?

not enough “juice”?

well it was probably hard (confusing) to play a hybrid

if there are anything full AARHE you and your friend felt is too complex
we can work on simplifying the rule while modelling the same idea
(naval combat has been simplified…looking back older version of AARHE is a bit unplayable lol)

or tell us if you find an idea just not worth
ARRHE had rules in the past that didn’t make a difference to gameplay and we removed it (like capturing enemy soldiers)