Well with the political rules Russia could start with a small navy in the Baltic (dd & sub maybe even a cruiser) and it could survive for 1-2 rounds. Ger and Russ start off as neutral to each other. They can pass through each others sz's while neutral. Russia could leave the dd in the northern Baltic to keep Germany from using bombardment in an amphib when it does attack. It could also attempt to run from the Baltic to meet up w/UK navy before Germany attacks. If Russia is still neutral to Germany we know they can coexist in the same sz, will the Soviets be able to pass through the German owned Danish straight?

Yea that sounds about right M I R. Maybe just 2 subs, and many others scattered in the Atlantic. Germany getting a BB is a no brainier, hope its there 

Going back to the money, if you can't borrow $ from other games, I hear poker chips work well. You could also make up a tracking chart (that should have came with the game) to track income, NO's, tech etc....

I'm not crazy about using the gray/red unit count chips for damage markers either. Painting them a black (or any other color) is a good idea from Yope.

I said both. You can't have a fortress w/o air scramble, the UK/US will need somewhere to protect their  super fleets. They'll also need extra mobility and a place to repair ships besides Gib.

Italy might have to take Vichy if Germany doesnt take Brittany. Otherwise France might successfuly counterattack Paris.

Dont forget the official rule from Larry....."The first time Paris is liberated, place 4 French Infantry in that terriory"

Concievably....if Brittany and Vichy have enough French units to launch a valid attack on Paris, then the Axis has to elimnate them G1 and I1 respectively.

The risk for France is worth the reward......Even in a suicidal attack

Back on topic
That's a good point Oz, when you consider that Germany will be attacking the Paris tt w/many planes that won't be able to stay in Paris to defend (leaving only what could be a depleted ground force). I still think that Germany will have enough forces to take both the Paris tt from W Germany, & the Brittany coast tt from the low countries, however a German player may choose to leave the Brit coast and take on other endeavors.

As far as the Vichy tt, I think Italy will have the strength to take it I1. I wonder if the axis would be better served in the right circumstances to wait for Germany to take it G2, giving Germany access to the Med if it chooses to build an IC there latter (assuming Vichy won't have an IC). On second thought a delay could cause more headaches depending on set-up. You wouldn't want France to have the chance to shuttle troops from Vichy to Gib, or Africa. I also wonder will the 2 coastal French tt come w/NB, I think they should, and how about AB.

This is a Q & A w/Larry, thought it might help.

Q :I also hope that Germany is represented as it was historically, (northern tip below Denmark) to give it access to an expanded North sea (2 sz)
A: It is.
Q: The Baltic should also be min 2sz IMO.
A: It has 3 sea zones.

So I would say its possible that Russia might start with a small navy in the Baltic. I think there will be some convoy's there too.

After France falls. What is next for Germany? UK, Russia or Africa.

Seriously
Axis round #1
G1 kill France, and try to take out parts of UK navy. Take any pro neutrals you can (Eastern Europe)
I1 mop up France (Vichy tt), start battling UK/French navy in Med, invade Greece, and fight UK/France in Africa.

Axis round #2
G2 hammer any thing you can reach that UK has land or sea, while England is isolated, trying to weaken it (I don't think sea lion will be an option yet, but could prepare for it if you go that route rd #3). Attack UK convoys. Get in position to attack Russia.
I2 continue the good fight vs UK in the Med/Africa. Go for Gib, Crete or Malta if opportunity presents itself. Maybe move some units towards E Europe (Russia).

Axis round #3
G3 Barbarossa (don't want them to gain more strength). Make attacks of opportunity vs UK including convoys, secure France.
I3 continue to annoy UK. You should have large chunks of Africa, now go for Egypt (straight), and on to Mid East, so you may be able to aid in Russia. Make sure you control/protect the entrances to the Med (Gib). Team up w/��� to see if you can get the S.African IC at some point.

I think Germany should sack Italy next, so it can get more $. Once Germany gets control of Rome it gets total control of all Italian units. Now all the little brown dudes move during Germany's turn. They have the option of going  before, after, or at the same time. Germany can also produce its own units from Italian IC.

I think that if Paris falls G1 (as it should), then on J1 Japan could invade FIC w/o DOW on UK. This would hold true for any ��� turn following the fall of Paris. If Paris survives then UK and France are still partners, so a ��� invasion of FIC would require a ��� DOW on UK. Of coarse that's just my take on it, but it sounds right.

So Paris will start off French, but will be in German hands most likely G1. Germany will get the loot, and the French won't be able to build units.

Larry said that there may be a few French units that will be placed for free if/when France is liberated. If that holds true, I wonder if the French units get placed at Paris right away (when liberated), or on France's turn. I figure by time France is liberated, Germany & Italy will be on the decline (unless the axis just leaves it week). Say UK liberates Paris, (if Italy can't take it back) then US comes to reinforce. Then you would get the free French guys (unless you got them already when UK liberated) plus France starts getting paid. By time Germany's turn rolls around they could have their hands full. The one thing that frustrated me in AA50 was that France got traded from time to time for its link to the NO's. Sometimes it was easier for Germany to leave it open, and repo it back (or have Italy do it). If France does get some units upon liberation, and has a chance to get paid, I don't think the axis will be trading it anymore. This is good for game play, and historically IMO.

I have risk 2210 (I think we even played once). Isn't there an extra board you can get to and conquer the moon or something?

Yea I think Germany will have 3 main objectives rd #1.

a) Take the Paris tt
b) Destroy as much of the French/English fleet as it can.
c) Take the French coast tt

The Luftwaffe will have some decisions to make. If Germany try's all three objectives, I think it could win all three battles. As you pointed out though, what will the cost be. As a result of not heavily concentrating your forces, the Paris battle goes longer (an extra rd), you'll be weaker (due to extra losses) and will have less units to def in a counter attack (if one is even possible). If you don't take both the French coast, and naval units of opportunity, that could come back to haunt you as well.

You have to walk a tightrope in your attacks, making sure you can def your new conquests, as well as get your forces in position for your next move (Barbarossa, Sea lion etc). The most important thing is to stop France from producing units (capital), and lock down your income (including the French starting income).     

what you need is some way to change what maps you are playing, quickly and easily, without any chance of damaging the maps, etc.

the only option i can think of is to put a big lcd under the table, hooked up to a little laptop with pictures of the maps, etc.

Yea I can see it now, honey I have to mount the 73 inch plasma tv from the living room under this table I spent 2 years building so I can play that game you like so much.

From what I remember Larry said France would be well represented, but Germany will use a true blitzkrieg. I gather the total number of units the two counties will have at the boarder may be similar, but Germany will have much better units. Germany will get tanks, ftrs, and tacs (combo 4's) that will get much higher rolls as well as a good amount of inf. I could see France having a few tanks (maybe some air units), but mostly inf, and art defending (lower rolls). If Germany try's to hold back, or gets terrible dice, Paris may survive rd #1. I think Germany should have the strength to take both the Paris tt (from W Germany), and the French coastal tt (from the low countries) rd #1. Then Italy should be able to take the Vichy tt on its first turn, leaving France only some scattered units in Africa, and maybe the Mid East

I also think most of the French fleet will get toasted rd #1 as well, leaving only remnants of what is was. The question is how large will the French/UK fleet be, vs how much of it the Germans/Italians can send to the bottom. Will the axis pull some of its air from the French ground battle, to go after the navies. Seems most AA games start w/Germany taking out a good chunk of the UK fleet, they seem to always get a British BB. So will it be the British fleet, or the French fleet?

So I agree don't take France lightly, although it might delay a Barbarossa, or Sea lion. You wouldn't want the French to get to spend their $ on their turn (for you to attack more French units), when you can steal it for yourself to aid the Axis Juggernaut. The 3 french tt combined could be worth 9- 10 ipc this time around, plus what ever the French purse is for taking their capital.

I would think that both Germany and Russia will have very little as far as attack units facing each other rd #1. They will have enough to gobble up some E Europe pro neutrals, but will have to reposition, or buy units to invade the other.

Thanks that's what I thought about the terrain. Nice job so far. Maybe you could put the boarders, and such on the underside of the glass, so they won't wear off. I would consider a second sheet to go over the whole thing for multi use. Maybe a felt covered sheet of wood, to 2nd as a Texas Hold-em table. That way you could also leave the AA game set-up under it.