Variants

Variants assume and alternate history between the wars. Some favor the Axis, some favor the Allies. There is also an option that allows for random variant selection.

This assumes that the Soviets one the Battle of Warsaw in 1920 and crushed the fledgling Polish states. The Soviets now control Warsaw. The Allied Powers, in an attempt to thwart the further spread of communism, give Germany back both Danzig and Silesia which were previously ceded at Versaille.

In game terms, Poland is partitioned and the Danzig corridor no longer becomes the cause of the war. Instead, the war starts in April of 1940 with a German invasion of Denmark and Norway on the pretense of reuniting Schleswig which was lost at Versaille. To compensate for German and West gearing, own people production efficiency is increased to 75% if the war starts later.

For a 'quick starting' game, the variant puts Germany 1-2 turns away from the invasion of France. Also makes the Soviets relatively stronger which might act as a handicap

Italy suffered 600,000 casualties but was defeated soundly at the Battle of Caporetto in 1917 and had very little impact in the Allied victory. Going into Versaille, Italy was seeking territorial gains along the Adriatic. This variant assumes Italy won at Caporetto and had a major impact in the war. As a result, Italy is now given Croatia, Syria and the German colonies in Africa as part of the Versaille settlement. In game terms, Italy has more territory and has a weaker tie with Germany (initiative starts at 10 vs 50). It will be more difficult for Germany to bring Italy into the war as an ally.

Turkey was partitioned and occupied after World War I but won indepedence through a series of wars from 1919 through 1923. This variant assumes that Greece was successful in their campaign against the Turks. They now control the straights and Anatolia up to Ankara. To the east, the Soviets occupy Armenia and Turkish Kurdish provences. An attack on Greece by the Axis or a successful coup will raise Soviet initiative by 20 points. There is no impact on Soviet initiative if the Axis captures the Turkish straits after they are brought into the war on the side of the Allies.

Shortly after Stalin took the reigns of power in the early 1920's. He changed the policy from attempting to start a world wide revolution to "socialism in one country". This alternate history assumes that the Hungarian communist revolution of 1919 succeeded and that the Soviet's focussed on international revolution over building their economy internally. In game terms, Hungary starts as part of the Soviet Union. The Soviets also make a coup attempt (with corresponding counter coup possibility in Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Greece. The Soviets start with production only at 25% vs their normal starting level of 50%.

This assumes that Gandhi was successful in achieving independence for India prior to the war (as opposed to after the war. India starts as a neutral country. Japan may attack it once at war with China. If India is attacked, it joins China and US initiative increases by 10.

This assumes that Ho Chi Minh was successful in achieving independence for Indochina prior to the war (vs the roughly 30 years of fighting after the war). Indochina starts as a neutral country. Japan may attack it once at war with China. If Indochina is attacked, it joins China and US initiative increases by 10.

The Spanish Civil War lasted 3 years and left the country exhausted. While both Germany and Italy supported the Nationalist who eventually won, Spain sat out of the conflict. This variant assumes Italy provide a massive amount of support and Franco was able to achieve a much quicker victory. In game terms, Spain becomes an ally with Italy once Italy joins the war. Spain surrenders when it has no more victory points.

This is a pretty significant shift in balance towards the Axis. Gibralter is certainly vulnerable but does give the US 20 points of initiative if captured. The Axis player should time that offensive accordingly

Assumes the great purge of the Soviet officer corps does not occur. The Soviets receive 50 staff with decent experience (25%) and Tukhachevsky, a named leader. The Soviet Army is much stronger politically. The German player gets a 'Soviet Coup' card. When played, the Soviet officer corp deposes Stalin. In the confusion of the regime change, the Soviet army receives a 50% readiness penalty. The German player should save this card until at war with the Soviet Union

This assumes that the allies did not back down to German pressure on the Sudentenland and no Munich appeasement occured. The war now starts in 1938 with a German offensive vs Czechoslovakia. Poland sits out the conflict and is neutral. Poland can later be attacked by either Germany or the Soviet Union. Both can also pledge support to Poland. If Germany attacks and Poland is not supported by Russia, the battle is the same as the normal game. If Germany attacks and Poland is supported by the Soviets, then Poland joins the Soviet Union and Germany is immediately at war with both. If the Soviets attack and Poland is not supported by Germany, then Poland is partitioned. If the Soviets attack and Poland is supported by Germany, then Poland immediately joins Germany and now the Soviet Union is at war with both. An attack on Poland by the Soviets is a way for the Soviets to get around the issue of initiative, but Soviets give the Germans' a sizeable if somewhat ineffective army to the East. With an earlier start to the war, both Germany and the West start at 25% own people production efficiency.

Belgium and France agree to a military alliance. The Maginot Line is extended to Brussels.

Prior to the Western Blitz of France, France was at war with Germany but strictly on the defensive. This is model by having France asleep and not actually at war. Playing this variant gives Britain cards to wake up France and get her to actively fight the war against Germany. This variant coupled with the Franco Belgium alliance is a significant balance shift towards the Allies in the early game. Germany will have to counter with alot of heavy artillery to blow through the concentrated defenses in the West.

Not sure which variants to pick? This variant will select each of the above 25% of the time (e.g., expect 3 variants on average).

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