Elbonia and the trap of impressive but unreliable weapons

A viewer's Elbonia scenario asks how to equip a new fictional state in 1945 with weapons that look formidable while creating the worst practical force. Late-war German equipment supplies much of the list, especially the King Tiger, whose breakdowns and fuel-system trouble would make it punishing to operate. The more serviceable Panzer III and Panzer IV provide a contrast, while the Panther is treated as a more defensible choice. Later suggestions add the Me 262 with its extremely short engine life and Japanese torpedo cruisers burdened with American Mark 14 torpedoes. The game becomes a lesson in judging a weapon as part of a maintainable combat system instead of relying on headline performance.