The Netherlands update is now released.
As noted by players the Netherlands were hardly ever worth it, even with Amsterdam being 1 VP it proved often to be too cumbersome to even attempt.

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- The Netherlands -
The Netherlands have now received 1 VP being a valuable strategic port and represents the propaganda victory and value of the country as a whole. Amsterdam as a forward strategic port also contributes to an easier choke-hold on British shipping.
If Amsterdam is controlled, U-boats unleashed is also worth 1 vp. Thus The Netherlands is worth 2vps.

Now The Netherlands represents an attractive commitment while also keeping one VP from the CP player until total war. As 2 relatively quick VPs might give CP too much of an advantage in getting that quick automatic victory. This hopes to solve this conundrum and to keep The Netherlands as an interesting option even in the late-game all while keeping in line with history.

- The extended blockade -
However with going to war with this country the CP player loses The Netherlands as a neutral nation which was had significant importance for the Germans as it retained a neutral port that could offset some of the blockade.

Thus the Grand Fleet can now be played also as a strategic move to effectively blockade Amsterdam. Tightening the noose.
This lack of imports means that the Germans will have to divert resources to manage this shortfall, 1 GE RP is subtracted for the duration of the Grand Fleet blockade. Effectively the commitment to NE will cost the +1 GE RP that they are used to have in Total War.

The repeated Grand Fleet action represents the strategic attention of the Grand Fleet who has to keep an eye on the Imperial Navy.

The Imperial Navy in turn can use this opportunity to either commit to get the VP in the battle of Jutland as usual or do a blockade run on the limited force in the English channel.
This forces a temporary retreat of the blockading British fleet, lifting the blockade and temporarily lets CP get their +1 GE RP back.

Of course the Royal Navy has a very lopsided advantage in this exchange represented by its status as a yellow event making it much more easier and flexible to use. However squandering the Grand fleet too easily lets its devastating effect go to waste were it to match the High Seas Fleet. Akin to Zeppelins or Kemal this card might be worthwhile to hold for its potential alone with the burden of holding a card that could always bring value.

- Updates to cards -
Plan 1912 Guns of August
Has now been updated, the forces commited to the Netherlands is now represented by the reduced GE7. Its status as reduced is both for gameplay reasons but represents the strategic flooding of Netherlands territory, bringing the GE7s strength to a temporary halt as its logistic train is harrowed by the floods.
As Mulhouse is now a VP location to both be a counterweight to the Netherlands and to show its strategic importance, the Insterberg GEc will now be transferred over to protect that flank. To the detriment of the 8th army.

Haigh
As limited war can quite easily come before a presence of BR forces even has begun to amass, Haigh has been moved to Total War which also matches the historic timing.
King Constantine moved to the Limited war deck to compensate.

Loyd George
Loyd George has been changed to be in line with the MO offensive cards. It also prevents Haigh as Loyd George represents the curtailing of large protracted British offensives.

Rennenkampf
Its effect has as with encirclement now been put on a timer, being unable to be played when Tsar II Nicholas takes command.
As it is dependant on triggering by the AP side its timer is decided by the CP player.

The Netherlands invasion
As the CP could quickly score 2vps in the lategame by occupying Amsterdam and playing U-boats unleashed without much chance for AP player to respond besides moving in armies there that risk perm elim by having their backs to the wall as well as having a hard time entrenching due to activation costs. The Netherlands preparedness is symbolized by ever increasing defensive steps in the form of a higher trench level per higher war commitment from the CP.

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A lategame VP grab will now face a prepared Netherlands, however with them still having a weak army, British corps over the canal or French corps through Antwerp will have to arrive to fully reinforce the pre-made defences. CP will have to weigh their resources carefully and make a more strategic decision if they want to commit to their northern flank.


- Updates to map -
Map is finally fully made into the Deluxe Edition. It was a pain to carry over VP locations and other grapichs but the Map should now be final. I do not know what font GMT uses for their VP locations so they are as close as I could do.