Italy, Serbia, and economic balance

[LandMarine47]

Sure if AH was on ots own, it would lose, but the Germans know better and always rail entire armies to the Italain Front, making any offensive impossible with this. The Austrians usually hold a section of the Frontline while the Germans do most of the work. In Russia and Serbia, the Austrans play a much larger role than Italy.

[operating]

Sure if AH was on ots own, it would lose, but the Germans know better and always rail entire armies to the Italain Front, making any offensive impossible with this. The Austrians usually hold a section of the Frontline while the Germans do most of the work. In Russia and Serbia, the Austrans play a much larger role than Italy.

Did you know that Italy declared war on AH May of 1915, Germany did not officially join the war against Italy till August 1916.

Read second paragraph of this site: http://www.naval-history.net/WW1NavyAustrian.htm

[zokk]

Italy was a great power in 1914. It was the least of the great powers, but it was still considerably stronger than all of the minor allied countries combined.

This is a right point, but look on it from gameplay perspective. Italy has only one narrow front to fight on. If they have income "higher than all of the minor allied countries combined", whey will easily breach AH defenses here probably as soon as 1916 (AH troops are stretched in Serbia and Russia, they can't mount strong defense here).

I'm not advocating that income be set exactly to historical GDP or expenditure levels. I agree that playability is very important. I just think that having Serbia be stronger than Italy is nonsensical.

If Italy is given a larger economic base, it's war effort % can be set relatively low when it enters and then gradually increased over the first year or two until it reaches its full potential. That would model Italy's unpreparedness for war as well as give Austria some time to deal with Serbia (who should be dialed back a bit).

[Yote]

I'm not advocating that income be set exactly to historical GDP or expenditure levels. I agree that playability is very important. I just think that having Serbia be stronger than Italy is nonsensical.

But in the (quite early) end Serbia isn't stronger than Italy. A large part of its PP, almost 30% of it, is Belgrade, and that is a city that gets attacked and wittled down early on. Ultimately, about a third of its PP gets destroyed and the city taken away from them.

[LandMarine47]

The Austrians and Germans like railing 2-3 artillery guns and an Airship to do just that. If Belgrade is lost, the Serbians are done as an offensive force, and severely undermined as a defensive force. If the Italains start losing territory, their morale goes down. Venice and Milan are cities I strive to defend, as it gives the CP perfect staging grounds for an attack into Italy. If they get past Florence, it's only a matter of time before they surrender...

[operating]

Another advantage that Italy has over Serbia; Italy has 1 general, 3 admirals and 2 aces.......Serbia has NO commanders......

[LandMarine47]

Plus the fact they have a narrow front. The Serbians have a much larger frontline.!