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I am back to do a second AAR. Fall Weiss II is finally near 100% completion and I am play testing its balance. My mod is designed for both PvP and for challenging play vs the AI. Many scripts have been re-written, and decision and accompanying notes cleaned up for clarity.

Major changes from the base game:

German Economy: I feel the Allies are fairly represented with their convoys as a major source of MPP but the economic war against Germany was very lacking with only Strategic Bombing (and to a lesser extent Nordic convoy intervention). To change this I have made Germany more dependent on imports from neutral nations - (Greece, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Romania, Portugal, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Spain, Vichy France, Turkey, Switzerland). I feel this changes the diplomatic environment in which a single diplomacy chit, or decision can make a large difference. I have also incorporated expansion of the Ruhr industry, and Axis oil shortages and MPP transfers between Axis Majors.

Role of Minor Neutrals: Besides the economic benefits (MPP, Convoys) I have incorporated more interactions with neutral nations, some of which include lend lease agreements and transfers of military equipment to strengthen neutrals as the war unfolds around them, rather then keeping the status quo from 1939 to 1945. With more supporting events to sway the leaning of neutral nations diplomacy chit effectiveness (not the % chance of a hit) has been slightly reduced.

New Majors: I have removed Poland and added Romania and Finland as Majors. Why Romania and Finland? The war in some sense is won and lost on the Eastern Front so these two nations were logical choices for me. Romania in WW2 committed more troops to the Eastern Front then all of Germany's other allies combined and splitting the nation from Germany also creates the challenge of managing different nations (and manpower/MPP) on this front. Finland on the other hand was a nation at war with only USSR, and due to belligerency can fight her war only against USSR if the Axis player chooses.

North Africa: I have shameless given the AI a boost on this front, and while perhaps a bit unhistorical it is refreshing to have the Axis pushed back to El Aghelia only to be rescued by the Afrika Korps.

Research: Research effectiveness progressively slows down after reaching Level 2.

New Decisions: Aside from the diplomatic/economic events I have also included new events to help aide in different strategies

I am playing on the only settings I have tested thus far, I would recommended to play with these settings as it will be most balanced against the AI:

Turn 1 to follow tomorrow...

Why do you recommend this setting?
What does exactly change in your mod concerning the AI?

Well generally I believe the +20% income is required to offset the MPP the AI wastes operating units so this actually just puts you and the AI on equal footing.
Some scripts only fire on expert difficulty such as AI units.
The +1 experience and AI spotting is generally to give the AI a better chance at winning a war at sea and also helps the AI defend in USSR or allow the German AI advance in the east.

Sep 1, 1939

Hours before the invasion of Poland.

Here is a quick look at the diplomatic leanings of Europe. Some nations have altered diplomatic leanings from the default campaign.

Sep 1, 1939

Preview of Romania

Sep 1, 1939

Preview of Finland

Sep 1, 1939

Invasion Of Poland

Polish retreats, coupled with some higher then expected damage to my Bombers has somewhat soured my initial thrust into Poland. With any luck Warsaw will fall on the falling turn irregardless.

Sep 1, 1939

The Atlantic

The German U-boats and both of the Battle Cruisers slip into the Norwegian Sea, destined to raid in the Atlantic.

Sep 1, 1939

Civil Aid To Spain

I intend to bring Spain firmly into the Axis camp. Given that Spain is reduced to only 10% Axis leaning to start the campaign this is an excellent opportunity to guarantee Spain to lean more towards the Axis. I select Yes to this decision.

Sep 1, 1939

Relations With Switzerland

While there is no initial benefit to this decision, other then Switzerland leaning towards the Axis, however a Pro-Axis Switzerland is necessary for Germany to establish future trade agreements with not only Switzerland but also Portugal. For these reasons I select yes.

Sep 1, 1939

Fall out

At the end of the turn while UK and France have declared war on Germany, some other nations have taken a less heavy handed approach. Portugal has protested the invasion, Turkey has aligned herself defensively with the USSR, while Saudi Arabia has severed all diplomatic relations with Germany.

A look at Turn 1 Income

German imports are coming a from number of neutral European Nations that are not effected by the Allied embargo forthcoming against Germany.

Sep 15, 1939

Allied Turn

The UK has begun what will hopefully be a long and difficult struggle to restrict imports To Germany. Britain has seemingly meddled in German-Greek affairs and convinced Greece to severe her economic ties with the Germans. Meanwhile Canada has declared for the Allies, while also falling victim to the first Atlantic U-boat raids of the campaign.

Sep 15, 1939

Fall of Poland

The Red Army has crossed the border into Poland and Germany has captured Warsaw. Both Germany and USSR have agreed to divide Poland as per the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. As the secret protocol is made public, the Turkish government has publicly expressed discontent with the pact.

Germany has invested in Infantry Weapons and Diplomacy (Spain) this turn.

Civil Aid To Spain

Italy has decided to follow suit alongside her German ally and provide further supplies to improve Spanish favor towards the Axis.

Why did you choose to remove Poland from Majors?

Sep 15, 1939

Relations With Greece

Greek relations have certainly deteriorated in September 1939, and this is an opportunity to help improve the relations. However given my goal of having Spain join the war conflicts with diplomatic investment required to try to persuade Greece to lean towards the Axis, thus I have declined to pursue improving German-Greek relations.

ORIGINAL: sad ham

Why did you choose to remove Poland from Majors?

I felt Poland contributed very little to the campaign given her 2 turn life span. I also find Romania is often underrepresented for their contributions on the Eastern Front (in all WW2 games). Finland I find an interesting choice given as the nation was only ever at war with USSR, and by receiving minor-Major status can do so.

Ok, but what was the problem to let Poland as major?

There was no "problem" I just felt it was an opportunity to replace Poland with a nation that can actually contribute to the game beyond Sep 15, 1939.