If no AV for Axis how to balance

[lojishen]

The more I play, the more I don't like the AV for the axis. Moreover, I don't think it is necessary to balance the game. The Axis player has plenty of reasons to move offensively before the US gets into the war.

Think about it this way: if the German and Japanese player just sits there from '40 to Winter '43, they are going to be toast to the Allies. Even without the AV, the Axis goal is to expand far enough in the early game to 1) develop a decent economic base, while 2) denying same to one of England or Russia.

The game then comes down to a slugging match to see if the Allies can conquer the Axis before the end of '46 or else see a draw at best.

I've read on this board, that these days, most games end in either an Axis AV or Total Allied victory. I think that is a true shame. If an Axis AV, then the Allied player sits there and takes his lumps and never gets a chance to return them. What is worse, many of an Axis AV occurs when, if the game had continued, the Axis would be in real trouble.

If the Axis fails in the AV, he often strove for it so hard that he is over extended and ripe for an easy conquest by the Allies.

Generally, I don't worry about the AV as the Axis, even if it is turned on. I enjoy the end game from both sides, particularly if the Axis hasn't played overly aggressive and left himself too weak to counter in '43 to '45.

So, I think the AV sucks. The questions are:

1) Is it important to the balance of the game, i.e. if removed does the edge swing to the Allies?
2) If the answer is yes, then what would be needed to balance the game?

My thoughts would be increments of 5 supply to Japan to balance the game. I like this for a couple reasons. One, the Japanese end game is the least satisfactory as they are just so weak relative to the US, even weaker than history would imply. Plus, with a little extra supply and the delayed bump in US production, you might see early DOW's against the US.

Thoughts?

lojishen