New political rules suggestions:
Only the first five powers are at war to begin.
The Allies cannot attack neutrals; Persia is the exception as it has no effective central government.
An aligned neutral can only be activated by the power with which it is aligned (I don’t like Britain activating Italy round 1)
1. Austria (must attack Serbia)
2. Russia (must attack Prussia? What if Austria contests Poland - damn that unhistorical border!)
3. Germany (must attack Belgium?)
4. France
5. Britain (cannot activate Arabia round 1)
6. Turkey - Declares war at the start of its own turn round 1. Considered neutral until then; ships of other powers cannot move through the straits.
7. Italy - Declares war at the start of its own turn on round 2; It does not have a turn on round 1.
The CPs cannot attack it before then (Triple Alliance).
Italy thus gets “first strike” versus Austria. To balance, remember that Italy loses a round of collecting income and moving units. Also Austria can concentrate on other fronts on round one, or build up troops in Tyrol/Trieste.
8. USA - Declares war on its own turn on round 4 or a subsequent turn as long as Russia has suffered a first stage collapse (abdication of the Czar), or when attacked.
Does not have a turn until going to war.
Basic income increased to 30 IPCs. For balancing purpose it depends on how long the game goes on; American expenditure levels out (compared to OOB) on turn 9, thereafter increases.
Or increase to 35 IPCs: level out then occurs on turn 7.
Qs: Can Turkish units be used to represent Persia round 1?
Can Italian units be used to represent attacked neutrals round 1?
What if Austria attacks Albania round 1?
Toss a coin round 4 to decide which alliance Greece aligns itself with.