@Dark_Destroyer:
With that in mind, being able to sack Sydney on J4 (trading aircraft for minimal ground units), Flip on J5 from produced units on J3 and J4, its entirely possible to win and have the US spend nearly all its income in the Pacific for 5+ rounds - which leaves the UK and Russia on islands in Europe until at the earliest probably Round 7 or 8 before the US can intervene at all.
They would not need to spend 5 rounds of income to stop Japan.�
Much of that assertion is based on play testing of the Allies moving to defend Hawaii in the first round.
Obviously that changes if you withdraw because the only trade would be the starting fleet off Hawaii, which easily translates to a strong consolidated navy off of Western US.
That is why I posed the question regarding what would be an Allied response to a J1 DOW that stages in SZ6 and paves the way to sack Honolulu on J2 as I was not sure if that would be an experienced US player’s response.
EDIT
Note my normal opponent generally responds to Japanese aggression in the Pacific with a 10 SS purchase in Western US the moment he can enter the war. Its annoying to deal with on many levels.
END EDIT
Clearly a withdraw to San Francisco that includes a heavy Naval build (IE SS and Tac) changes the dynamic of the board. My standard play has been to defend Hawaii at all costs which included Anzac’s involvement (to see what the board looks like) while purchasing US1 SS and Bombers. I never considered the US option to give it up and consolidate - which appears to be a better and stronger play.
I wouldn’t want to move the IJN to Hawaii facing over a half dozen subs, and Tac’s rolling at 4 and the bulk of the US Navy sitting off of Western US. Trading some ships to have the US with no Ships is one thing - but to run a 55% chance battle to lose all ships is not viable.
With the premise of the strategy to force the US to spend in the Pacific beyond the first two turns, I’d give this strategy a C+ or B- against an average player, but an F against an experienced one.
I’m still a firm believer in taking and owning Flip and DEI while dealing with China as the primarily best strategy for Japan - I was just looking for an alternative to it that keeps the US actively investing in the Pacific that is beyond the “standard” buy TT, get a minor in SE Asia, take DEI, convoy India and subdue China.