Want to go to Rio?

[BladeRunner]

Is it just me, or is there 3 IPC's there for the taking that never seem to change hands?  Brazil just sits there, game after game with no counters on it.  Is it too far away to deal with?  Would the US allow this to happen?  What are your thoughts on taking, or re-taking Brazil?

[Yanny]

Brazil usually crossing hands when the Japaneese bring their fleet around into the Atlantic to p�ss off the US.

[bossk]

It's kind of remote and hard to get at, so it isn't taken as often as other territories of equal value.

[TG Moses VI]

Usually one German transport around South Africa will be enough to take Brazil and Madagascar

[BladeRunner]

One of our Japan players will try for it on occasion.  I, am trying to figure out:
A. Is it strategic enough to take as Germany?
B. Is it too costly for Germany to go after early?
C. If you were playing the US, how hard would you try to take it back?

You can't get too it except by sea, so it seems secure.

[Ozone27]

It's the same old German Trans-Atlantic Problem: If you throw a lightly-armed fleet (that is 1 BB w/ a few TR w/ maybe a couple subs) out past Gibraltar, whether you are going for UK, USA or Brazil/Central America, the Allies will TOTALLY see it coming and reinforce the territories and/or annihilate your fleet. If you build up the fleet w/ a CV and a few fighters, your European forces could be so weakened that you could be invaded before any effect is achieved. Therefore usually (though not always) if Germany takes Brazil, the game is already over--the Axis have pretty much whomped the Allies.
Regardless of these musings, know this for a fact: the USA player is very aware that Brazil is the boards ONLY unoccupied 3-IPC territory, and will be keeping a close eye on it. The idea of "sneaking" a German fleet under their noses to South America, while tantalizing, is not often a viable prospect.

Just my $0.02 on the matter.

Ozone27

[TG Moses VI]

Usually by turn 3 can Japan take Brazil. This places America's home fleet at risk since Japan's fleet is much more formidable than Germany's. Besides, Japan taking Brazil poses much more of a threat as a factory in Brazil could mean a huge differance in the Atlantic  

[BladeRunner]

I think that Germany should not be the one to take Brazil.  Japan should take it in order to aid in the Atlantic Offensive.
Germany needs its resources to pressure Russia and Britian.  With Japan making a move to Brazil, the US will need to divert precious resources to the cause.
I think this could be an effective strategy, but a little risky as well.