by Prowler
Wow, I am impressed by the scale of this effort. I have to quote the Soviet WWII saying: "quality has a quantity of its own".Let me submit my comments on the proposed Early War cards.
For ideas how to use the cards, consider this, in order to retain game balance: when each of the "replaceable" cards is first drawn by either player, he rolls a die. On a 1-3, the card remains the original, put a small slip of paper inside the sleeve as a reminder. If you roll a 4-6, insert the variant card into the sleeve. Each card would need to have a "natural substitute" of similar power.
EARLY WAR: 5 USSR, 5 USA CARDS, 3 DUAL CARDS
USSR 4 OPS RED CHINA ALLIANCE (RCA)*
Instead of the unsuccessful Coup discard, consider “RCA is discarded after play of the Asia Scoring Card by either player”.
USSR 4 OPS. IMPLOSION CONSPIRACY*.
OK with me, no comments.
USSR 1 OPS STASI*
I would add “Place 1 USSR influence in East Germany”. East Germany starts with 3 USSR Influence, and does not usually move a lot. Otherwise, this card may cost the USSR player 1 Influence to regain control … or even worse, may allow the US to creep into a now-uncontrolled East Germany.
USSR 2 OPS GRU SPY RINGS
This card is almost exactly the same as “The Cambridge Five” of the optional cards.
USSR 1 OPS BANDUNG CONFERENCE*
This card can be devastating in the “very early” War, as it may completely oust the US from certain regions. I would add that “it may only be played as an Event on Turn 1 if NASSER has already been played” (Nasser was one of the major actors in the non-aligned movement), or simply “may not be played as an Event on Turn 1”.
USA 4 OPS D-MARK und BRD*
Not terribly useful in most games. Remember coups and realignments in Europe are scarce, as DEFCON is usually 2-3 for most of the game.
USA 3 OPS VENONA DECRYPTS.
Be very careful with this mechanic you propose. How does the USSR play VENONA DECRYPTS, if it is HE who draws the card?
USA 2 OPS SEATO.*
OK if a little too deterministic. Why not just “Place 1 US influence each in Australia and 3 SE Asia countries that already have more US Influence than USSR Influence”.
USA 2 OPS CENTO.*
Again, OK if a little too deterministic. I would say “Place 1 US influence each in 4 of the following countries, provided they do not have more USSR than USA influence: Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan “
USA 1 OPS CHIANG KAI SHEK*.
OK no changes
DUAL 1 OPS MOSADEGH/KIM ROOSEVELT*
OK but is this really necessary? Iran is already a hotbed for coups, given its 2 Stability and strategic location.
DUAL 1 OPS SPY SWAP
I love it!
DUAL 2 OPS COUNTERCOUP
I love it!