Best posts made by hengst

@the-janus Beg to differ: if “Italy” is considered to be all minor Axis powers, you could possibly make some interesting roles for the nation/power on the Eastern front. Romania/Bulgaria were quite important in the south

@the-janus I fail to see that as an inherently bad thing

@the-janus ???

Italy+Germany will always be weaker than only Germany, all other things equal.

If you have a balanced Germany-only game, you’ll need more materiel/economy to keep balance if you change it to Italy+Germany. However, it can add more interesting decisions for the Axis player, which (see my previous post) don’t have to only be pre-Barbarossa.

If you have a balanced Italy+Germany game, you’ll need to reduce materiel/economy if you change it to Germany-only.

What did I say that lead you to think I meant that Germany needs to be overpowered?

I think we are understanding things equally, just communicating poorly.

EDIT: re: your edit: I’m with you. I personally love having Italy as a nation because it means the Axis can & must care about the Mediterranean, without taking resources away from Russia or providing an excess of resources which could be thrown at Russia. For those early years of the war, having the UK be terrified about the Med is essential–and that won’t often play out if the unified Axis player can throw everything at Russia.

If you’re starting later in the war I agree that Italy’s probably not worth it in terms of hassle/handicap just for the 3v3.

@copt2 If I had to guess, any additional rules imported from 1939 would probably do the opposite of simplify & accelerate the game…

@hengst If this feels too strong for the Allies, move the SZ 96 cruiser & destroyer to SZ 81. Otherwise, it forces the UK to choose between prosecuting the war against Italy & liberating the Vichy boats. If they don’t turn them all Free French, they may have a serious issue on their hands on G2. Similarly, it forces Germany to decide: do I want to kill French ships or force the UK to make a play for them.

After that, France will be a very minor yet present actor in the campaign for North Africa & eventually the retaking of Europe. If the UK ensure to liberate Syria, they may also fight in the defense of Cairo.

I haven’t seen somebody gamble on a Vietnam play, but that is also possibly in the cards.

@all-encompassing-goose Please try to adapt it & let me know how it goes! I have it balanced for global interactions, mostly with regards to the British & Russians.

Will be watching this thread.