Italy is logical.
Its a “full” size country, with “training wheels” (a low income).
You get experience with navy builds and maneuvering.
You have three straights to play with, even one that doesn’t block subs.
You can experience the joys of convoy raiding and being raided.
You can purchase every type of unit. Even Battleships
You have factories, air/naval bases, and AA guns to practice using.
You can capture an enemy Capital and enjoy plundering its wealth.
You can beat up on neutrals.
You get to declare war.
You have strategy choices and decisions to make: Land or Sea or Both.
You can help Germany or they can help you as needed.
You have national objectives, that you can earn on your own and feel good about.
You play near the middle of the turn line-up depending on version. Which means you get to watch others play and learn before you have to play.
You can make technology rolls.
You get to capture some victory cities and possibly win the game for your team.
With good play, you are rewarded with a production value that rivals the other powers starting levels. Allowing you to take off the “training wheels”.You are likely to be the first one knocked out of the game, if you lose interest or have to leave early.
Any mistakes Italy makes won’t cost you the game. Yet you still “feel” important and less stressed then if you were thrust into the cauldron.
100% agree. Italy is a “minor power” but has access to both Land and Naval… It is a well rounded power for a beginner with Help from Germany.
wait on…. wouldnt you want to start a newbie out on revised or 42?
My initial instinct was to choose Italy, but then I considered that the game is balanced in favor of the allies. The axis needs the best players in the group working together to make the game even. Italy matters a lot, because their income, or lack thereof, is what could potentially turn the tide of victory or defeat for the axis. For this reason, I selected the least important major Allied power: the UK. In my estimation, the UK is just there to stand in the way in the beginning and then support the US and Russia with whatever they do. For a beginning player, this would be a great trial and error country, because even if England falls, the game goes on. Consider giving the new player UK Europe and France, then give UK Pacific to whoever controls ANZAC and/or China.
Russia, man. Since I started playing Classic, Russia goes to the newb. Center of the action, forgiving because it’s huge, easy purchases, don’t have to learn naval units yet, straightforward strategy, roll fistfuls of dice.
“Look, here, buy as many infantry as you can afford. Hold off the Germans. Keep your planes alive. Stall the japs in Siberia.”
Axis? No way.
