I was rethinking this and maybe it would be better if the US, UK pacific, and Anzac technologies didn’t kick in till they were at war with Japan.
Honestly if they just made the map a little better by:
1. Not having 110 and 109 connected, but instead made 110 connected to 104, 111, and 112. This would allow UK to possibly build ships in 109 because fighters/tacs wouldn’t be able to go from Western Germany to 109 and land without having a carrier.
2. Not having Western Germany and Northern Italy connected. Just have Greater Southern Germany extend all the way to Switzerland, so that planes in western Germany couldn’t land in Alexandria or Egypt. Also Germany couldn’t just build mechs in Western Germany that can, on the next turn, go down and defend Southern Italy. The defense of mainland Germany would be harder for the axis.
3. Removing the major IC in Germany’s capital, and replacing it with a minor. Also add a minor IC to Greater Southern Germany. This would lessen the total number of troops Germany as a nation could build, and Germany would be take more planning to defend. You can’t build a reactionary 10 infantry for defense if you need it, instead you’ll be able to build only 3. In total Germany’s starting territories would be able to build 16 units a turn, instead of 20.
4. Changing Strategic Bombers attack to 2, instead of 4. This makes bombers less powerful for ground and sea battles. The attack on Moscow will be less, and Allied fleets would have a much easier time defending their transports. In other words Germany building 4 bombers a turn late game is no longer an automatically great buy. Also Japans first turn attacks become a little weaker.
5. Allowing Minor IC’s to be built on islands. This would really help the Allies in the Pacific. I guess Japan could then build an IC in the Philippines, but is that really that good?
6. Making Russia worth 5, instead of 3. This would give USSR 2 more IPC’s to spend every turn. Increasing their defense against an overwhelming German attack.
7. Making the US NO, while at war, for having control of EUS, WUS, and CUS worth 15, instead of 10. This would make Japan a little more hesitant about a turn 1 attack. Also US is desperately hurting for income in this game because of how much fleet he needs to build. An extra 5 would help a lot while not making any new broken mechanics.
8. Making only planes in the territory that produces the carrier be able to place fighters/tacs on a newly placed carrier. So you couldn’t end your non combat movement phase with a fighter/tac in a sea zone that doesn’t have a carrier. One annoying problem is that either the axis or allies can, at any time, use fighters/tacs that otherwise couldn’t reach a territory or sea zone to be able to reach it if you purchase a carrier. The ability to finish your turn in a sea zone increases the implied threat from planes too much, IMO.