How would you proportion Axis/Allies incomes for the most interesting game play?
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Considering May 1942 as starting date, could we ever find an objective answer?
Of course balance and gameplay is priority which should be supported loosely historicity. We can probably agree that Allies income should be roughly 20%-30% higher than Axis.
My thoughs;
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I prefer having Germany stonger than Japan+Italy. If Japan is designed to mostly outprouduce Germany-Italy Allies will almost always prioritize Europe causing kinda low playability due to Allies predictability plus its unhistorical and we will sure Germany will hav lower chance to take Moscow than Japan. Overall i see no downside in here as long as game is decently balanced.
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I have no strick preference about Italy's income, i tend to like to see it as half of Japan or 1/3 ish Germany.
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The important one for me how to distirbute Allies income? A weaker Russia and Stronger US won't probably left Axis much choice other than trying to take on Russia first which is a railroaded thing. OTOH strenghtening Russia in expense of weakening US might produce the same Axis tendencies too. Should Russia be stronger than the British Empire? What about China? Could Weakening US prevent it to go both Ocens?
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@schulz 20-30% is too small an edge, especially on a large map. Russia is isolated from the other Allies, and as the Axis gobbles up territory, the Russians end up in trouble. Historically, the Allies had about a 4-1 economic superiority.
I would suggest in most games strengthening China. The Chinese armies were large, although poorly-equipped & poorly-trained. Given China more strength on the defense should give the Russians more breathing room.
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@rogercooper I think the issue is setting up eastern Russia very attractive target for Japan since Russia has no way to compete with Japan in here. Allies can still tolerate weaker Russia imho as long as Russia doesn't get heavy press from the East. Because it makes squeezing Russia the only viable Axis victory way.
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@schulz Even in Europe-only games, Russia is still isolated and it takes time for the Americans to mobilize effectively. The Allies need a bigger income edge as long as the Axis can effectively win by taking out Russia.
