getting allies

[fcam1387]

I'm not quite sure how part of the diplomacy system works and for Germany this is very important. Do the Eastern European states have to be "pro axis" for them to join Germany? Or is there another trigger ie. attacking Yugoslavia? In the "World at War", Finland joined the Axis after Leningrad fell, in this game is it the same or does the "Finish coup" event have to trigger? Also, what are the alliance triggers in regard to Spain?

Thanks

[christian brown]

Check out my thread called "AWD the game where Spain comes Alive?" here on page one for full details about Spain.  The balkan minors must be pro-axis and then an event, such as an attack on an allied leaning or pro-allied neutral or other country: Greece, Russia, Yugo, at which point a check is made against their volatility rating; IIRC 10 for Rumania, (I.E. a 100% chance they will join, Hungary at 9 means 90% and so on, I think Bulgaria is only an 8, so clearly that is 80%).....does this help answer your question?  
If they are not already pro-axis (as in the case of Hungary on turn one when you attack Poland, note that the attack on Poland is what prompts neighboring Hungary to shift to a pro-Axis stance) then they will become so under these circumstances.
So to sum up:
If you want the Balkan minors to join:
Wait until Yugo is pro-allied, then attack it (if the balkan minors are already pro-axis, i.e. after the creation of Vichy)  Usually they will all join.  If not, taking greece is generally enough to convince Bulgaria afterward. In the case of Hungary, 10% of the time they will not become active, but there will be yet another 90% shot at them after you attack Russia (borders Hungary and is Allied.) Be wary of trying a Trade agreement with Yugo, even though there is a high likelyhood of a pro-allied coup changing them into an eligible country for attacks to get your minors on board. 

[YohanTM2]

Made the Yugo mistake myself, it has to be allied leaning at least. Also, I think the volatility is squared? So a 9 would be 81% for Hungary and an 8 would be 64% for Bulgaria?

[christian brown]

the volatility is squared? So a 9 would be 81% for Hungary and an 8 would be 64% for Bulgaria?

I don't think so, it is a simple check against 10, but please check the manual (which I can't open, yikes!)

[GKar]

According to the manual (p. 95), volatility is squared for checks regarding a change of diplomatic status, but used as is against random(10) when trying to initiate trade agreements. So you're both right in some way.

[christian brown]

GKar, since you are such a fine fellow (yep, this is total butt kissing) please send me (cut and paste) the manual in a PM......I'd really appreciate it.  Since I helped define the frigging rules, I'd like to be able to reference them when we get a question such as the one above......

[fcam1387]

What about other countries such as Turkey? I got a trade deal with them (does this do much?) and it pushed them towards Axis-leaning. Is there anyway I would be able to tip them over to my side. I think a southern front against Russia would be absolutely devastating.

[christian brown]

I think a southern front against Russia would be absolutely devastating.

Uh, yep, I fully concur.  Usually, getting a trade agreement with a neutral will get them leaning, but this is not enough for them to become active, they must be pro first.  Even though getting Turkey on board is a nearly hopeless task (I haver never, ever seen this happen), what you CAN DO is this:
Get your trade agreement signed with Turkey, they will then be leaning.
Next, attack a pro or Allied-leaning or full Allied territory adjacent to Turkey:  sometimes Greece,  always Syria and Iraq.  There  is  a  vanishingly small  chance that Turkey will  become pro-Axis after these events occur,  something like 2 or 3%  each time.   Then, when you attack the next adjacent territory, the same 2 or 3% chance check is applied.  So you have a 3% of a 3% chance (after your trade agreement is signed, which in Turkey's case is tough to get.)
Perhaps you may wish to focus your energy elsewhere............but good luck anyway (you'll need it!)

Keep in mind that the developers have made it this way on purpose, something like an Axis activation of Turkey against Russia is basically about as unfair and unbalanced for the game as Italy joining the Allies.....[;)]

[WanderingHead]

ORIGINAL: christian brown
Keep in mind that the developers have made it this way on purpose, something like an Axis activation of Turkey against Russia is basically about as unfair and unbalanced for the game as Italy joining the Allies.....[;)]

I haven't seen that happen yet!

[WanderingHead]

ORIGINAL: fcam1387
What about other countries such as Turkey? I got a trade deal with them (does this do much?) and it pushed them towards Axis-leaning. Is there anyway I would be able to tip them over to my side. I think a southern front against Russia would be absolutely devastating.

As Christian pointed out, you can theoretically bring Turkey on board but the probability is so small that you needn't try.

The only really feasible way to do this is to attack Turkey, in which case you _don't_ want to do the trade agreement, because you don't want to attack your friends (your other friends don't like it).

Attacking Turkey is feasible, but you have to do it well and on a tight time schedule, because it increases USSR WR and you have to invade before Russia self-activates.