@Funcioneta:
If UK focuses on Norway IC, it cannot aim her main target in early game: italian navy. If it lets italians live and grow, can be a good investment, even if finally falls. Egypt is good, can be reinforced by the 3 axis powers (including Japan :-D ) and can be the death sentence for allies in case of Polar Express :wink:
That’s what I was kind of getting at with the Norway Industrial Complex.
It allows Germany to trade Finland with the Russians; It allows Germany to deny the Russian’s their big National Objective; and, if England wants it, they have to dedicate most of their income to taking it and not just for one round, most of their income for a few rounds.
Germany 1: Norway has 4 Infantry, AA Gun, 3 Fighters, Bomber, Industrial Complex
England 1: 2 Fighters, 1 Bomber in Range of Norway. (Really bad odds.) - Destroyer/Transport in SZ 9 cannot reach and the Battleship/Transport in SZ 2 should have been sunk. I’d even let the Destroyer/Cruiser in SZ 12 live if it means Norway stands ultra strong. DD/CA/BMB vs 2 CA/BB is not a great scenario.
Germany 2: Norway has 4 Infantry, 3 Armor, AA Gun, 3 Fighters, Industrial Complex (assumes SZ 5 fleet is still alive; else reduce by 1 Infantry, 1 Armor - also assumes 2 infantry attacked Finland to trade with Russia.)
England 2: Still should not have the firepower to take Norway
This should continue for quite a while.
Of course, with only the ability to build 3 units there each turn and the prospect of losing 1 or 2 of them a round trading with Russia, England will eventually get the firepower to take Norway.
The questions are:
1) -21 IPC out of 31 starting IPC is a lot of cash for Germany! Is it worth it?
A) I think if it keeps Russia from getting the big NO even once, it might be worth it even if it falls to England.
A) But we’re talking -7 Infantry that can be moved towards Russia on Round 2.
2) Will it draw America out of the Pacific to help knock down the German IC in Norway earlier (potentially giving America a foothold with a Complex in Scandinavia?)
3) Will England lose Africa or will England ignore the complex in Norway and push into Africa anyway?