Craig,
I and a buddy on here have been play testing LHTR 2.0 and we’ve found the allies to be significantly over powered with the average technologies. The nerfs to the axis do not balance out. Yes, the allies were nerfed too, but the axis more so.
BTW, the dominant strategy for LHTR 2.0, so far, is KJF.
We’ve played with a few options. Right now we’re testing what happens if you just pick your NAs instead of randomizing them. Under randomization the allies lost once in 5 games, and that was because Russia and England both got the STUPIDEST advantages possible while Japan and Germany got some pretty powerful ones. Even then, it was pretty darn close. (England had Mideast Oil - Useless in KGF and almost Useless in KJF and French Resistance which is also pretty useless. 3 infantry are not going to make much of a difference in holding W. Europe or not. Maybe in pushing forward faster, IF you get W. Europe and hold it.) (Russia’s were not much better.)
Anyway, from what I can tell, LHTR 1.3 is the most balanced. With each nation getting average National Advantages (3-4 good, 2-3 bad/moderate) the axis wins 40-60% and the allies win 40-60% with 3 ipc bids.
But that’s just my experience with it. I’m a pretty good shot at KJF lately, and the NAs kinda assist in KJF (Enigma, Colonial Garrison, Radar, War Economy, Marines, Non-Aggression, Rail, etc, etc. Almost all of them seem to make Japan easier to crack in 1.3 and even easier in 2.0.)
I guess if you only play tested going KGF you might think LHTR 2.0 is more balanced. (Though, to be honest, I’d say drop the stupid german scientists and bring back Fortress Europe.)