Australia
Australia
Stats
Regions: 52 Commands: 9 (+3 coupling commands) Special features: Nested commands
Strategy & Tips
Background
Up until now our compendium of maps has been without the continent down under, Australia. The map depicts political and geographic divisions, while also (we hope) capturing the spirit of Aboriginal Australia in its design. Where most maps would show mountains as mountains and rivers as rivers, we've taken a less literal approach with the impassable borders, with snakes as rivers and animals representing the ranges.
In terms of play the only trick to the map are the nested commands. Australia has only six territories, which we felt wasn't sufficient to represent an entire continent. And some of those territories are vast - Western Australia would be a dead zone if it stood alone as a bonus command. In order to bring the entire map into play early in the game the larger commands have been split in two; hold one half for the first bonus, hold both halves and pick up a little something extra. For example, either half of Queensland nets a +3 by itself, but if you hold the entire thing you get +7.
Finally, as you play you may discover that there are some "Easter Eggs" built into the map. Of all the maps I've made for this site, I definitely had the most fun creating this one. I hope you enjoy it.