Here are my Do’s and Don’ts for Germany:
DO: Buy at least 24 inf in the first 3 turns.
DON’T: Buy any capital ships!
DO: Capture any territory you can hold on to for at least one turn.
DON’T: Capture any territory you can not hold until next turn unless it blocks an Allied player from doing something you must prevent. (e.g. cut off planes from landing, or block ships from passing).
DO: Pick an Axis strategy for winning (take Russia or Economic) and stick with it unless the Allied player makes the other option more appealing. Both Germany and Japan must be going for the same type of win.
DON’T: Lose more than a couple of your original armor.
DO: Allow the allies to take Western Europe if it means no support for Russia defenses.
DON’T: Allow the allies to take Eastern Europe.
DO: Protect and build a fleet in the Mediterranian Sea. The added mobility to German forces will keep Russian and UK defensive forces stretched thin.
DON’T: Allow any allied transports to survive for the first 4 turns.