I assume a combination of play balance, Moscow as well as numerous VP sites are to the north, to easy progress there makes catastrophic defeat for the soviets much more likely, as well as historically functional, the plains to the south were historically easier to traverse, and therefore the "z...

Assuming competent play on both sides, the Axis still nets 15 VPs from Bryansk alone if he makes that a focus. That means an Axis player can guarantee a draw at worst under the old thresholds. I played for Moscow 100% before in order to make it fair and still won every single Axis game. The new 42 p...