Research and production priorities as Axis?

[Grotius]

No one has posted a strategy question here yet, so I thought I'd get the ball rolling. Do people have any suggestions on what to research and build as Italy and Germany in the early going?

I'm particularly not sure about Italy. Its armor unit on the French border is so weak that I feel compelled to reinforce it, but then again an infantry unit would presumably be more useful in that rocky terrain, so I'm inclined to build one of those. That won't leave any resources for research, but Italy's army is so small that I'm not sure research should be its top priority.

For Germany, obviously it depends on whether one plans a Sea Lion. For my first game, I don't, as I'm incompetent enough as it is -- I'm sure I'd mess up an amphibious invasion. I see that Aviation Warfare and Armored Warfare are already researched to their max. I've already taken the manual's advice and put a chit into Infantry Weapons. Now I'm debating among Advanced Tanks, Advanced Aircraft, Production Tech, and Industrial Tech. Those latter two are obviously longer-term choices, but their benefit will be maximized by choosing them as early as possible, so I'm leaning in that direction.

What do you all think?

[Aurelian]

See the strategy guide in the Manuals folder for some ideas

[Grotius]

Yep, I've read the strategy guide. It did mention some of the choices I've outlined above. I'm curious if players or beta-testers have views on which to prioritize, though. I'm especially curious about what to do as Italy, whose resources are so scarce.

[FelixPraedo]

It all depends on your warplans off course.
If you are going for Barbarossa, like I'm trying now in my first game, I'd say concentrate on advanced tanks and ground attack first.
Second should be industry, production, logistics and intelligence to get staying power.
Advanced fighters is good too but the Soviet Air Force starts out very weak, I'd save it until you're ahead in the other area's to be ready for Englands bomber offensive.

If on the other hand you are planning to wage strategic war on England advanced subs, naval weapons and advanced fighters are the ticket.
I would try and win the Battle of Britain and weaken the Brits with submarines, naval bombers, stuka's and medium bombers before attemping an invasion.
Most important I think is to go all-out for one strategy instead of doing a bit of everything.

Cheers!

[Grotius]

Thanks, Felix! Those are sensible suggestions.