Dec 21st 1914, You, the leader of the Central Powers make a momentous Decision, one of the most crucial of the game , do you hand over Trieste and Trento to Italy?

Doing so will ensure that they will not enter the war, refusing all but guarantees war with Italy.

As the Austrian Player, you will gain 3 detachment units all at a strength of 5.

What the Allies get is of far far more consequence.

Italy has 3 Political Chits, This can be of vast importance, Allies can use this on any number of neutral countries, But this gives the allies a clear lead in Diplomatic Chits for the rest of the game, something the Kaiser and the Emperor should be wary to do.

Italy has 2 Dreadnoughts 2 Armored Cruisers and other assorted naval units, This is enough to decisively tilt Mediterranean Control to the Allies, without Italy in the War, the balance is much much closer. The ability of the Central Powers to cause havoc in 'Mare Nostrum' should not be under-rated, and the central power player should only hand this over reluctantly.

Several Corps, 4 Corps and 2 detachments right away and more upon mobilization (After Mobilization, the Italians will field 2 HQ, 10 Infantry Corps, and 4 Detachments)

Most Crucially, imo, is that now the Allies gain access to a potential 2 more artillery. Artillery is the most decisive unit of the game, in the Great War, artillery loomed large and it is so in this game. Giving the allied player a potential 2 additional artillery units should be very carefully weighed.

Italy earns about 120 MPP a turn, that will add up a lot over the course of the war.



The allies will now have local superiority in the Italian region, forcing you the CP player to move troops from other vital theaters to the Italian Front.

If you give over the land, most crucially, Italy will not enter the war, we've already looked at all the negatives that brings so what are the negatives that you suffer from handing the land over?

You will lose 8000 National Morale Points, the only big long-term negative however with Italy not in the war, you'll only be facing Serbia and Russia as Franz Joseph, neither of which can knock Austria-Hungary out of the war if your playing half way competently.

You will have a temporary drop in Unit Morale. remember this is in the Winter, December 21st, the Russians will have to attack in the Snow to take advantage, by the time spring comes around, you units should have gained morale significantly. Make Sure you have some German units in Galicia by December , when the event fires so that The Russians can't take advantage too much.

You will lose a small amount of MPP, far less of a loss than what the Allies Gain if you refuse the land handover.

The benefits of handing over the land far far outweigh the costs, and the better decision is to hand over the land, now some unique circumstances in your particular game might make an exception, but the general rule is give Victor Emannuel III what he wants.