Also Note: France *can* build the fortress for 1 production. Fortresses cost 2 turns but only 1 build. Fleets cost 2 turns and 2 builds. Upgrade markers cost 2 builds but only 1 turn. Those are unfortunately not easy to remember, but is is printed on the power sheets as a reminder. France should *always* build the fortress first.
Re: Friendly Hitler - Remember that if the Ger + Italy VP is greater than UK and France VP, this breaks Status Quo and wakes up the allies (they can now more effectively increase commitment, and are allowed to get to mobilization and declare war). So if Ger/Italy never declares war, the allies will by around the 39-40 turn, 41 at the latest. Also, the Axis lose their "Surprise" attack bonus On the other hand, Friendly Japan is quite good early on. They can get a ton of the VP in the back areas of China through diplomacy (this does provoke the USSR a bit, but is often worth it). Then later after you secure all of western China with diplomacy, the Japanese attack the eastern areas with the Armies. This delays a lot of flags to the US but still allows Japan to take much of China. They get those flags from Germany who uses its excess flags to pressure Japan for this.
I saw all the Axis going friendly in the opposed game I played - it looked like Japan was going to fall fairly soon after the US/Brits came at them - maybe with Soviet help.
Also Note: France *can* build the fortress for 1 production. Fortresses cost 2 turns but only 1 build. Fleets cost 2 turns and 2 builds. Upgrade markers cost 2 builds but only 1 turn. Those are unfortunately not easy to remember, but is is printed on the power sheets as a reminder. France should *always* build the fortress first.
Ah crap.
Re: Friendly Hitler - Remember that if the Ger + Italy VP is greater than UK and France VP, this breaks Status Quo and wakes up the allies (they can now more effectively increase commitment, and are allowed to get to mobilization and declare war). So if Ger/Italy never declares war, the allies will by around the 39-40 turn, 41 at the latest. Also, the Axis lose their "Surprise" attack bonus
On the other hand, Friendly Japan is quite good early on. They can get a ton of the VP in the back areas of China through diplomacy (this does provoke the USSR a bit, but is often worth it).
Then later after you secure all of western China with diplomacy, the Japanese attack the eastern areas with the Armies. This delays a lot of flags to the US but still allows Japan to take much of China. They get those flags from Germany who uses its excess flags to pressure Japan for this.
I saw all the Axis going friendly in the opposed game I played - it looked like Japan was going to fall fairly soon after the US/Brits came at them - maybe with Soviet help.