After many games, I believe the opposite remains true - the Allies have the advantage without any bids or lucky dice, though not nearly as badly as what I’ve read of Classic. Germany loses its territories a bit too easily, and Japan is miles away from being able to help and can its momentum can be broken somewhat easily because of the 3 prongs of attack, and Africa is easily put back into Allied hands. I have won a lot of games as the Axis, but usually against less experienced players who are easily intimidated by mass tanks, who don’t contest Africa, and who really don’t coordinate well nor are aggressive enough.
Russia turn 1: Build 4 infantry, 3 artillery. Attack Belorussia with 3 inf from Karelia, both fighters. Attack West Russia with everything else that can reach. Sub goes to UK fleet, all other infantry retreat west. Deploy 3 inf 1 art in Caucasus, and 1 inf 2 art in Moscow.
UK turn 1: Depends a little bit on the German build. I usually now start with 2 tran + 3 inf + 1 tank. This changes if the Baltic fleet was reinforced or not (if not reinforced, then I am more aggressive and build a carrier, invade Norway, and destroy the Baltic fleet on turn 1). If Egypt was invaded, I counterattack with troops from India and the fighter from the navy. I’m now going back to having the Australian fleet run east with a couple of inf (in 2 turns they can reach Africa).
US turn 1: Start with a carrier + 2 trans + 2 tanks. Position everything to go for Germany.
Turn 2 depends on what the Axis has done.
