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In my three GW games to date, here are my average VP scores in MWIF – I was just wondering how they might compare to others’ experiences:

Germany: 15
Japan: 5
Italy 5
China: 1
France: 3
CW: 19
US: 10.5 -1= 9.5 (with Brazil/ Mexico -1)
USSR: 8.5
Total: 66 (25 for axis and 41 for allies)

All three games were close to each other in scores but were all very different games which is interesting. The last game could have been higher for the allies- Warsaw and Paris were about to fall to the allies but appalling weather in ’45 meant that this didn’t happen in time. As well, USSR made a blunder in an ill-conceived invasion of the middle east which came to nothing and put Tehran and Baghdad into Italy’s tally (they would have gone to USSR and CW otherwise). Going into the middle east only makes sense for the soviets if they are trying to win against the CW or US. If playing just two sides, there’s no point as USSR doesn’t need the oil.

This brings up a good point about VPs: some will almost always go to one side or the other. In the history of WIF/MWIF has anyone ever controlled Sverdlovsk [made it through spell check!] other than the USSR?! Riyadh other than CW? Then there are those which are likely targets (Bucharest, Shanghai, Paris, Warsaw, Batavia, Saigon etc.) or tempting targets. Then there are proximity VPs like Madrid (France), Oslo (Germany), Istanbul (Italy), or Baghdad (I’m looking at you, Stalin) and so on. Of course there’s Vichy too (which so far has not survived a game).

There are points which can easily be lost or gained due to an oversight or due to remoteness. In last game Dutch harbor nearly fell to a Japanese Invasion as part of ‘pearl harbor’ but the US made a tense 50-50 DOW roll which resulted in an aborted invasion. Then there is the triumvirate of Kwajalein, Truk, and Rabaul (in last game CW started with Rabaul as per another thread). Hard to capture if properly garrisoned, but tempting. Then there is Diego Suarez in Madagascar. If it aligns with Japan it is a major pain for the allies (historically the CW didn’t tolerate its pro-axis stance).

Anyway the permutations go on and on. The main point of this post I was going to make was that in my experience the average point total in MWIF is higher for the axis than previously published averages for WIF, for the purposes of bidding.

Yes, there have been games of WiF where the USSR has been completely conquered. There have been others where the Axis has taken Saudi Arabia.

Also, I am surprised that you haven't run into an Allied oil shortage late in the war. The US and the CW can gulp 20 oil a turn. Almost every game I've played has seen Iraq and Persia enter the war.

I tend to take out Persia early with the USSR to make sure I can get the oil and the build points out of India when war starts with Germany. I tend to leave Iraq alone, except when it looks like the Axis will succeed in closing the Med.

And I agree with Courtenay on the oil use of the Wallies. If the US doesn't start sending 5 oil to the CW soon in the game so the CW can make Canada a huge oil dump for later use, the Allies will be short on oil. It is really amazing how many oil the Wallies are using in 1944 and 1945...

I tend to take out Persia early with the USSR to make sure I can get the oil and the build points out of India when war starts with Germany.

Well, there is an Axis response to USSR DOW vs Persia...

ORIGINAL: Jagdtiger14

I tend to take out Persia early with the USSR to make sure I can get the oil and the build points out of India when war starts with Germany.

Well, there is an Axis response to USSR DOW vs Persia...

True, however: how long can Japan have Yamamoto and his marines sitting on their ships doing... nothing?

Actually you’re right re oil near the end - I’ve never actually run short for US and Soviets but have been shocked to see reserves hit zero for both- a danger sign.
Plus CW needs oil - lots of it- when it’s fleet is active. As a rule of thumb allies send a minimum of 6 oil to CW if they can ... but CW still seems to run dry...

True, however: how long can Japan have Yamamoto and his marines sitting on their ships doing... nothing?

Not doing nothing if war with USSR comes...more like being all over Vladivostok and the resources to the north.

And if Germany does a '41 Barb, any Soviet unit destroyed by Japan, and/or lost production to USSR could yield significant results for Germany, and frankly, there is more to gain for Japan vs USSR than in China.

Now if Japan is not set up to take advantage of a Soviet DOW on Persia, then by all means go for it! Otherwise it can be a dangerous proposition.

Playing Japan, the one thing I most want to see on the board is Russian units on the Persian border...


I have rarely counted VPs playing WiF. Too much 2 person play.