A closer look at the Neutrals

Yes, they can do that even if the powers are at war. The presence of a sub belonging to an enemy power does not block movement.

Marsh

No, it may not.

Krieg’s response to this question on BBG agreed with Wild Bill. (See link below.)

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/570516/tanks

Alternatively scrap the rule altogether beef up the defence forces of true neutrals by adding mech units and aircraft.

Besides even if the did invade Columbia all other neutrals would become pro-axis.

I think he was talking about Columbia University. I don’t know why the US would want to invade it, seeing as how it’s already in their territory, but, whatever floats their boat…  :wink:

Even superpowers had a limit on the military establishment it could afford to maintain.

I don’t like the idea of adding units to a small country not at war; however I think the assignment of units to the neutrals could have been more imaginative, for example giving the likes of Brazil and Spain small navies, or Sweden some armour.  But these should be a once only build.

Unless perhaps you’d like to give Sweden a minor complex.

@Flashman:

Can we assume, then, that the neutral infantry are a once only force and cannot be replaced when the power moves in to take control?

Yes.

@Flashman:

What happens if there is a “wipeout” in the battle and all units eliminated?

The same thing, except there will be no units for the allied power to claim.  You could always place an upside down control marker to indicate the territory’s status.

Per Djensen’s preview part 3:

Before a power that starts the game “neutral,” like the United States and the Soviet Union, there are a few special rules.

*** Cannot move into or fly over neutral territories.**
    * Cannot move into territories controlled by any other power.
    * May not use aircraft carriers, transports, naval bases, nor air bases that belong to another power
    * Does not block naval movements of other powers and may occupy the same sea zones as another power. USA can be in the same sea zone as UK or even Germany while not at war./li>
    * Cannot attack a territory of a power with which it is not at war.
    * If a power attacks a sea zone that contains both units from a power with which it is at war and from a power with which it is not at war, the units not at war to not participate in the battle and war will not result.
    * Declarations of war must happen at the beginning of the combat move phase before any combat movements are made.

That’s clear enough.  :-)