@Black

Interesting. Our play would suggest the Axis have the advantage, and we bid accordingly.

A strategy which seems effective for Germany, is a single push into Russia.
Rather than hitting in multiple locations worth 1 value territory, and allowing for potentially effective counter attacks, just move the ground forces in a single stack.
G2 - Eastern Poland
G3 - Belarus
G4 - Bryansk (Buy many Bombers on G4, since they can hit Russia on G5)
G5 - Russia

They have so many additional starting forces over Russia that even if Russia does something like takes Finland (both denying Germany a National Objective, and earning one of their own), meaning they out earn the Germans, they simply can’t build enough to offset the sheer number of units the Germans start with.
If Russia pulls everything back, giving up the ability to counterattack, then Germany can play more conventionally and starve Russia.

The money Germany gains from taking Russia by taking this direct path allows them to build ground forces in Germany on G6 & G7 ready to push into France and kick out the US landing on G8.

The Germans often just walk into Moscow.
I don’t think the Allies have any chance without a bid in E40.

All other strategy is irrelevant if Germany is going to be able to walk into Moscow on G6.

The 60 bid level that many of the better G40 players play at, is almost entirely spent in Europe.

@The-Captain

With your experience, where do you suggest the balance lies with each of the 1940 variants?
What bids would your play group typically play with?

@Black

Interesting. Our play would suggest the Axis have the advantage, and we bid accordingly.

A strategy which seems effective for Germany, is a single push into Russia.
Rather than hitting in multiple locations worth 1 value territory, and allowing for potentially effective counter attacks, just move the ground forces in a single stack.
G2 - Eastern Poland
G3 - Belarus
G4 - Bryansk (Buy many Bombers on G4, since they can hit Russia on G5)
G5 - Russia

They have so many additional starting forces over Russia that even if Russia does something like takes Finland (both denying Germany a National Objective, and earning one of their own), meaning they out earn the Germans, they simply can’t build enough to offset the sheer number of units the Germans start with.
If Russia pulls everything back, giving up the ability to counterattack, then Germany can play more conventionally and starve Russia.

The money Germany gains from taking Russia by taking this direct path allows them to build ground forces in Germany on G6 & G7 ready to push into France and kick out the US landing on G8.