This is a Chaos variant of Axis and Allies, where each player looks out only for him or her self. It requires no changes whatsoever to the initial set up (except maybe for a game with five players), since the rules here for Chaos A&A provide a certain degree of balance.

Two players: The players decide in their own manner, randomly, who shall pick a nation first. They each pick a nation in that order until all the powers (Germany, Japan, Russia, Britain, America) are picked.

America: The player who picks America can only have two powers, being America and another power of his/her choice, limited by the choices of the other player.

Bad combos: America and Germany. The Germans will be pounded by Russia and Britain while America has to arm up quicker than it actually can. In addition, China and Sinkiang are totally isolated and surrounded by hostile British, Japanese and Russians. Asia becomes virtually unassailable.

Three players: The players decide who picks first and then each picks a power until all have been chosen.

America: Whoever picks the United States can choose no other nation.

Bad combos: Britain and Japan. Their powerhouses are too far apart, and the player who gets Germany and Russia will easily mop up your continental possessions while the Yankee player takes out Australia, Japan and Great Britain proper.

Four players: The players decide who picks first and then each picks a power until all have chosen one power. Russia cannot be initially chosen.

Russia: The player who takes Japan gets to be Russia. There are several reasons as to why this is true. First of all, it keeps a Russia/Britain player from wiping out the German player and then the Japanese player. Second, it keeps a Russian/German player from easily crushing the sensitive British and Japanese forces. Thirdly, it keeps a balance of power in effect, where the British and German players cannot concentrate on each other and simply watch out for the Americans. The British player must watch for his foe in Asia, and the German player must watch out for the hordes emanating from Russia.

Five players: I would suggest using the other 5 Man Free for All variant rules presented in the Archives section of this e-zine for a balanced Chaos game with five players.