Played with 7.1 again where Russia gets 48 IPC at the end of every round until in the war. Either fortresses are too powerful or Russia gets too much IPC. Not a single Russian city was taken. Germany is on the defense the first few turns in Finland! You almost have to buy a transport or 2 ASAP (maybe even the 1st turn?) - it’s the only solution I can think of. Germany shouldn’t be buying transports but they might have to. They can’t start with an extra transport because that makes Sea Lion too much more attractive. 2 cities short the whole game for the axis again (2 games in a row).
The Allies do a 90% all in against Germany with all their units (including the India navy) but the US does maximum lend lease every turn equally to Russia/UK/India/Anzac.
Japan does great but can’t take India because of fortresses or because Russia too strong? Russia dumped 10 infantry into the fortress in the East just for the annoyance. It was fun but it kept Japan 50% busy for a whole turn. I actually like the new fortress rules but they could be a bit more simple. Japan can become a steamroller but not in time to win. There is no point in even trying to drop the Anzac’s now that they can build 6 units a turn but I like that new rule too. Japan’s sneak attack isn’t very good when the allies run away with every ship in the pacific before Japan attacks. Makes life easy for japan though.
UK is noticeably stronger now which is more fun and realistic, but Germany is already having to deal with the threat of a landing on 2nd turn while trying to get ready for everything else. UK buys the extra infantry every turn for India and South Africa.
I’m getting close to saying that Russia can’t be killed. It’s just a wall of death. They definitely can’t advance into Germany but Germany can’t take a single Russian City for 2 games now. The game was 60/40 in favor of the Axis before but now I would say it’s 70/30 in favor of the allies. The allies can’t take any axis capitals but they can stop the Axis from winning.
I don’t think Russia needs the extra $ they are getting in the 7.0 or 7.1 version. The extra units for Russia, the extra units for UK, the loss of a few ships with Germany/Italy, and the more powerful fortresses seem to be enough to even the game out.
It could be just how we play though.