Tech advances.

[stormbringer3]

How dynamic is the tech advance tree? For example, could Germany focus on fighters to try and stop allied strategic bombing or could a 2nd tier power like Italy focus on certain techs to try to and get to top tier in certain areas? Could a nation delay war entry to increase it's technology and have a better military or does the game keep a nation in its relative status no matter how you research. Historically there some blunders in R&D and industrial policy that a player could avoid.
Thanks for any opinions.

[gwgardner]

The possibilities in r & d are varied, but all are limited by available production points. Therefore Germany for instance has greater r&d potential than Italy. Germany could, however, convoy PPs to Italy to speed up Italian r&d.

Long-term commitment to a given r&d strategy can make a big difference in the game. Example, if the US can get its aircraft level up high, its strat bombers become all that more powerful. Similarly, Germany may focus on sub research to get its raider effectiveness way up.

Even a minor country, like Romania, can over a period of years, build up in a given area, for instance getting its artillery research levels to the point that it would field a respectable infantry force.

Before a country is at war, its PPs are limited by a lower war economy percentage, so research is definitely slower when not at war.