Re:First game, Many questions
fanboy wrote:
6.2 "A. All relevant cards of a player are played before their consequences are applied." Q: a roundabout way of saying diplomacy isn't resolved until both players are done playing cards?
Maybe--although I apply the above on a country per country basis.
"6.3 B. Whenever a country stops being neutral and joins one side or the other as a result of a diplomatic action, it may immediately deploy home corps as per the reinforcement rules (see 9.2 and 9.4). and then again during reinforcement, 3 phases later? Seems mighty powerful."
The first deployment assumes the presence of a standing army, which is otherwise not shown while the country is neutral. The second deployment would correspond by a mobilization effort of the country now at war.
"All foreign corps occupying its areas are kept
in place, but must mind the neutrality violation rule henceforth (see 11.5). does this mean all foreign corps have to evacuate on the first campaign turn? or as soon as possible? or as long they don't move, they don't violate neutrality (since a literal read of 11.5 suggests that neutrality violation requires motion)"
The literal reading is correct.
"7.3 New Insurrection There's no mention of immediate deployment of home troops. This seems to be the exception. Do Insurgent Countries not get them?"
They do not, but unlike neutrals they may already have corps on the map (only those at home are kept, though).
"1.2 Sea Movement - The Coalition cannot mobilize the British home corps before Britannia comes out, since they're stuck in Britain? Or were we deploying reinforcements wrong?"
You can deploy them in Britain, so you can move them as soon as Britannia is effective, rather than play Britannia, then deploy the corps, then move them.
"12.1 E. A player may also opt to engage fewer corps than he is allowed, in which case he must declare which corps he wishes to engage and put the unengaged corps aside. He does not have to disclose the latter. The attacker must declare first." Q: I assume that there is a minimum of 1 corps? otherwise it's an easier way to Withdraw? But if I can always do this, what's the purpose of the Bravest of the Brave card?
If you engage no corps, you cause no casualties, but the other player (provided he engages at least one corps) does get to roll for casualties. {in the other game I'm designing, I'm addressing this situation much more specifically).
Player Aid #1 "*1 only if under French control"
Am I understanding correctly that the French only get 1 corps when controlling major countries (except Spain)?"
Yes.
"French Surrender: The Coalition can force France to surrender just like any other country? And this isn't a victory? Is it really possible to keep playing without a French Army?
Yes, it is a victory, in fact it's a decisive victory--unless you use the "Napoleon returns" optional rule.