Anyway for game play, and loosely based on history. Because there were multiple warnings from Wilson about unrestricted sub warfare throughout the years, and the Germans attacked all the waters around the United Kingdom I think that we should look at expanding the sz’s that can be attacked, and link the number of attacks to trigger early involvement of the US (but still have a fail safe for the US to come in on turn 4).
Proposal:
Have all the sz’s that surround the United Kingdom (plus sz2 off Canada) eligible for unrestricted sub warfare on the UKs collect income phase (these would be sz’s 2,3,4,7,8 & 9). Attacking these sz’s effects only the UK econ at this time until the US is at war (see later), at which time sz 2, 7 & 8 would also hit the US econ on their respective turn (sz’s 3,4 & 9 can only ever effect the UK econ)**Here’s the kicker, the Germans are allowed to successfully attack up to 3 UK sz’s before the US comes in. This could include 3 sz’s w/successful attacks on one turn by 4-5 subs, or subs attacking UK sz’s over multiple turns tallying up to 3 successful econ attacks, but no more then 3 successful attacks in total, or else you trigger the US. A successful attack is when the Germans attack a single sz (could be w/multiple subs), and it costs the UK IPC’s (at least one of their sub dice hit for that sz). A hit would be the same as the new rule, a roll of 3 or less (you tally all hits). If they attack a sz, and it doesn’t result in a loss of income, then that attack wouldn’t count towards the 3 that the Germans are allowed to perform (before they trigger the US). If at any time the Germans have performed more then 3 successful attacks on the UK econ it will allow the US to DOW on the very next US turn (if not already at war). In retrospect the Germans could attack more then 3 sz’s, and the US could still be left out (not enough successful strikes), but if the Germans screw up and attack 4-5 sz’s, and have more success then expected, it would draw the US into the war. As a fail safe (and just for sake of argument), the US receives a copy of the Zimmerman Telegraph at the beginning of their 4th turn and in light of the Germans attempt to bring the Mexicans into the war, and their intention to continue USW (which is in the letter) they can DOW at the beginning of turn 4.
This will allow the Germans to make some early attacks on the UK econ, but the US only comes into the war early if they over do it (disregarding multiple US warnings).
Something else just to make subs more enticing for USW, and cruisers more valuable:
Only allow cruisers to attack subs. Because this game has no DD’s, allow cruisers to take on a larger role to fill that void. I wouldn’t go as far as saying a cruiser can stop a subs abilities (moving past enemy surface ships, or submerge), but if you attack a fleet containing enemy subs, only your cruisers can hit them (def still chooses casualties though). This would allow for more subs to survive after they submerge (a submerged sub can still be taken as a casualty in this game, but could face fewer shots). If a sub is in the attacking fleet, then all ships return fire, I wouldn’t want a lone BB not able to defend itself (but maybe you do?). Many have said that the allies forgo buying cruisers because BB’s are so cheap, and perform better (is true IMO), this could change things up a bit if the CP invest heavily in subs, and the allies start losing their starting cruisers.
BTW on G4, if the Germans are able, it may behoove them to set up to make a 4th attack on the UK econ, and have that sz be one that can be double dipped (2, 7 or 8’) because the US will be coming in anyway. If you use the cruiser modification, the US might not be able to kill off your sub(s) because they only start w/1cruiser.