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The "all in" strategy by the Allies in France seems to be a powerful strategy. The top players immediately go to it because it stops the Germans cold and makes conquering France impossible or done so late the Germans are invaded by the Russians. The question is, At what point do you decide the Germans have dawdled enough to initiate the strategy and what are the specific steps taken to implement it? Thoughtful responses, please.

From doing the all in defense of France myself ...

1) I decide on turn one - this is important to sell research, buy units, shift naval positions, and move minor units to France. Axis moves don't necessarily dictate any changes

2) All France defense works if the Axis player gets greedy. A good axis player will start with air and artillery, then an army attack, then finish the unit with tanks - then move the tanks back so they can't be counterattacked, except by air. Now even better axis played will only put a tank on a city or forest but not a field as this will nullify the strategic bombers attack. Clever management of when to put fighters on escort will preserve strength - axis should have air dominance especially after getting about .3 XP on them from Poland

3) Axis may upgrade HQ to manstein - Clever use of this HQ will really dent allies advances. Holding paratroops ONLY for when you can get them supplied in the same turn. I always move my HQ up as far as possible to give high supply. Additionally tanks should be upgraded with mobility and one or two armies with it. Punching through maginot line is possible to do by February. Choosing when to attack Luxembourg will trigger the moral boost etc.

4) Axis will have a "breakthrough" moments. But only about one of them will be real. A good axis player will scout with fighters first. Having Italy attack from the south and not going full North Africa will ensure marseille and Vichy are removed. Taking the mine is a tough blow also. Back to breakthrough ... at a certain point allies will lose offensive power - only then can the axis breakthrough

5) allied defense. Click on the cities to know defense. Capitols have really good tank defense so allowing a tank to attack a city is ok, but not an army. Cheesy allied players will buy both AT units and put them in the fields before Paris and load up on AA units. Instead of bashing into that, go around slowly, move the armies up and then wait for a prepared attack. I always buy 2 rocket artillery from the Poland plunder. Demoralization from those and deentrechment turns into a slaughter for allies.

All in all I don't think all France is broken but blitzing can't be done - slow and steady

France falling quickly is not that important. Most players I've seen tend to hold out until July/August and unclear benefit versus cost of investing more (at expense of research and units for N and E Africa) of attempting to hold out longer.

It's definitely decided on turn 1. An "All In" requires immediate maneuvering and posturing. Commonwealth units take a lot of time to boat over. Dumping some research isn't a bad idea either so british corps can be started immediately. I honestly don't see a downside to "All In," because it creates a lot of pressure on Germany and in the very least wastes their resources and time. I'm sure there is someone on this board that could enlighten me on the downside, however.

Thats another reason to play the strong AI of this game; human are less strong

Just for the axis players , if you play well the two parachutes units, France wont be a problem

The downside was mentioned in the other thread-the extra units just provide more experience for the German units, which actually hurts Russia. And makes for a potentially easier Sealion.

I am new to the game but experience to me seems nullified by replacements in an unhealthy way. So I cannot see this as some bonus - but I repeat I am very new in trying this in multiplayer.