Petrelli4Prez wrote:What is the difference between taking Siam and taking Central America? It doesn't cause you to defend any more borders, and therefore shouldn't even be considered. If you're strong, you might as well take both Central America and North Africa.
If you're strong, you might as well take the whole of Africa and North America. Until that point comes, however, I find it advantageous not to move from Venezuela and Brazil.
S. America only provides two extra armies. If you have to defend both borders, then your opportunity for offense is severely limited and defense is handicapped. Venezuela and Brazil, being next to each other, can compliment their defense. People will think twice about breaking a continent if there are troops immediately available to take it back.
If you are strong, however, take Central America and move up from there. Taking North Africa is a suckers bet 9 times out of 10. It puts you on a border with Europe, and commits you to an African position that is worth less than the effort. I've found myself way better off in the long run putting some effort into taking North America, and keeping Brazil in reserve, backing up the defense of Venezuela.
S. America + N. America = 7 bonus armies, 3 borders.
S. America + Africa = 5 bonus armies, 4 borders.
And N. Africa, defensively, is a country of death. All them borders, and everywhere you move you're blocking yourself in.