coregames
Posts: 470
Joined: 8/12/2004 Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets I consider the Balkans a mess (historically acccurate too). I need to lay out all the possible combinations and then program the AIO responses (for both the Axis and Allied sides). I haven't done this in detail yet - though the primary combinations of claims, alignments, and DOWs have been analyzed. The most important strategic consideration for Germany in this is whether they plan to go for Barbarossa or not. If so, they would rather have Bessarabia, to hasten their advance in the south when war comes. Since Russia doesn't know what Germany's long-term intentions are, setting up against the Rumanians at the start can settle the matter and, depending on how Germany responds to the claim, give some clues about Axis strategy. Since Germany sets up last, if they see the Russians lined up to fight the Rumanians, they can allow the claim if they plan to avoid the Russians in '41, or DoW Yugoslavia on impulse 3 and align the Rumanians. This avoids the claim being made in the first place and keeps those forward hexes for a push in the south when war comes. If the Russians aren't set up for war with the Rumanians, Germany can take its time and not tip its hand. This is a big reason that many experienced WiFers advise Russia to set up for Rumania at first, to put pressure on the Germans to submit to the claim or to declare war on Yugo at the start. Obviously, if Russia does set up this way, it should be strong enough to deter the Rumanians from trying to fight the war. If you keep the decision procedure simple, with Germany's AIO deciding based on whether Barbarossa is planned, and Russia's AIO always setting up for the claim on Bessarabia, it shouldn't be that complex. If Germany allows the claim, Rumania's decision about allowing the additional claims from Hungary and Bulgaria is admittedly more difficult, but should be based on which front Germany wants to emphasize when war does finally come. If the north is to be emphasized, Germany could allow the claim so that Bulgaria never becomes an issue, and if the south is to be emphasized, the Rumanians can leave with everything and help conquer the Bulgarians outright. All of this assumes that Germany is determined to be the one declaring war on Russia when the time comes. Much of this has been dealt with already in the forum, but hopefully this provides more detailed thought processes. Of course, others will have different perspectives about the Balkans, but in general, the AIO can standardize its approach so that such decisions aren't as complex as when a human has to stew over this stuff.
< Message edited by coregames -- 6/27/2007 8:30:11 PM >
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"The creative combination lays bare the presumption of a lie." -- Lasker Keith Henderson
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