I have posted on PE bids on this board in the past, so you can search for more info….but basically it is this…
either 2nd or 3rd edition rules, where Russia is NOT restricted. This typically involves large bids 19-23 in 2nd & 17-18 in 3rd. So basically about 6-7 extra Inf for the Axis.
PE stands for Power Europe where most or all of the bid is placed in Europe. Most often this is something like 6 or 7 Inf in EE, or Ukr, or spread between F/N, EE and Ukr.
A lot of people fear these bids because of the possibility of a G1 dice rush at Karelia…however, that’s not actually the intent at high levels of play. The point is to allow the Axis to dictate the play early in Europe and place extreme pressure on Russia. This forces different reactions from the Allied player than in ‘normal’ games.
Lots of differing possibilities can occur. Stalingrad 43 is a variation where the entire bid is in Ukraine…depending upon what Russia does, it is possible to move a large German force to Caucusus immediately including using your tranny and then immediately landing 1/2 Jap Ftrs.
A more common possibility is to pyschologically force the immediate R1 or R2 withdrawl from Karelia and push the entire German army into Karelia…effectively cutting the F/N shuck schuck pipeline.
Basically it’s a nerves game…who blinks first. But the strategy is to force the Allies to respond in Europe, whereas they normally are passive there and simply establish a pipeline and fight mostly in Africa/Asia. Again, a solid Axis player is not simply trying to gang rush Karelia but is forcing changes in style/tempo. Many Allied players simply don’t know how to react when Russia is cut off early from the pipeline. Germany is foregoing the points in Africa…but if you think about it…they can capture/trade Karelia & Caucusus & Finland so it makes up for Africa.
It’s a bit of a different playout, with a number of subtle and intricate tradeoffs. Often the Russkies are barely hanging on against the Germans and Japs early, while the Allies are desperately trying to get into WE early and relieve the pressure.
Anyway…worth a try if you get bored of other playouts. Just remember don’t just gang rush Karelia on G1…it’s actually the threat of what Germany can do that forces different Allied play, rather than a one turn dice battle that is more fun. For instance, it’s one of those games where you can acquire a lot of German armour instead of just infantry and where if you get into Karelia you really need to manage where those Arm are located…so you can threaten Russia…but also need to hold WE and Berlin. Fun stuff if you try it out.