As for editions, here are the list of ones which cover the whole world (global):
Classic
Revised (first to use artillery and destroyers)
50th Anniversary Edition (first to use cruisers; Italy is a separate power)
Spring 1942
Global 1940 (made by combining Pacific 1940 and Europe 1940; many differences from non-1940 games; Italy is a separate power)
1941 (apparently highly simplified for casual players)
1942 2nd Edition
Global 1940 2nd Edition (made by combining Pacific 1940 2nd Edition and Europe 1940 2nd Edition; many differences from non-1940 games; Italy is a separate power)
As for editions, here are the list of ones which cover the whole world (global):
Classic
Revised (first to use artillery and destroyers)
50th Anniversary Edition (first to use cruisers; Italy is a separate power)
Spring 1942
Global 1940 (made by combining Pacific 1940 and Europe 1940; many differences from non-1940 games; Italy is a separate power)
1941 (apparently highly simplified for casual players)
1942 2nd Edition
Global 1940 2nd Edition (made by combining Pacific 1940 2nd Edition and Europe 1940 2nd Edition; many differences from non-1940 games; Italy is a separate power)
Classic or revised. I don't think I've seen Italy as a separate power. Cruisers are meh, but once you add them why bother with battleships (unless battelships use 2 hit rule).
I guess in the end, whichever set of rules or Frankerules we use, let's make sure they are posted and clarified before the start. (This will probably include me asking lots of dumb questions).
In post 7, PeregrineV wrote:Cruisers are meh, but once you add them why bother with battleships (unless battelships use 2 hit rule).
As far as I know, battleships are
always
2 hit, in every edition.
In post 7, PeregrineV wrote:I guess in the end, whichever set of rules or Frankerules we use, let's make sure they are posted and clarified before the start. (This will probably include me asking lots of dumb questions).
I will post a link to the official rulebook of whatever version we are using, and will happily answer any questions, even really dumb ones.
That makes 5 players. Since there doesn't seem to be much preference, we'll go with the Revised edition. The rulebook can be found here.
The playable powers are the Soviet Union, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States. If you have a preference, post it here; otherwise, or if your choice conflicts with someone else's, I'll assign one randomly.
In the interest of keeping the game moving, the attacker can just go ahead and roll all combat dice in situations where the defender's casualty order is obvious (for instance, all land units + fighters, or only one unit / type of unit). In other combats, the defender should provide a casualty order list wherever possible (i.e. when it doesn't depend on attackers casualties, etc.) so the attacker can just roll the rest of the dice. If the defender does not respond at all within 48 hours, the attacker may assume a natural casualty order (usually this means lowest power units first).
^To provide a concrete example, if Aronis (USSR) attacks West Russia, the defender's casualty order will obviously be 3 infantry -> artillery -> tank, so Aronis can go ahead and roll all the dice without waiting for Diplomat.
Each of these seven phases has its own section in the rulebook. Please read them carefully. If you have questions, or if you would like me to summarize anything for you, please ask. I will be happy to help.