So let me get this straight then:
First:
Because there are now Destroyers AND Cruisers, the setup is pretty much the same as before except:
Japan SZ 50 is now a Cruiser
Germany SZ 5 is now a Destroyer (nerf)
UK SZ 35 is now a Cruiser
UK SZ 15 is now a Destroyer
USA SZ 20 is now a Destroyer (nerf)
USA SZ 10 is now a Cruiser (also a nerf, it may have same a/d as before, but now it doesn’t have anti-sub capabilities, so, Germany has 50% chance of destroying your cruiser and both transports turn 1)
Second:
UK SZ 13 is now a Cruiser instead of Battleship (big nerf)
Russia SZ 4 is still a Submarine (minor nerf)
Third:
AA50 Rules for Naval Combat and AA50 Navy Prices
Transports taken last as casualties, no defensive rolls.
(big nerf for allies)
Forth:
No more Tech / is Optional
(less randomness, yay!)
Conclusion:
I am disappointed that larry did not move the Germany Submarine from sz8 to sz7. Whereas before, there was no point in the German submarine attacking SZ10 because the american destroyer negated it’s first strike, defended on 3, and had two transports defending at 1 that could be taken as casualties (meaning that the most he could hope for was a 40% chance of killing 1 transport before dying), now the German navy has a 50% chance of killing a Cruiser and two Transports AND living to tell the tale (and a 50% chance of doing nothing). This to me is an unacceptable increase in the luck of the game, providing either a huge swing for Germany, or a small / negligible setback. [my math is correct: 2/6 chance of killing with first strike, followed by a 3/6 * 4/6 chance of dying to the cruiser, followed by a 2/6 * 2/6 chance of killing the cruiser and transports, followed by a etc. etc. = sum of (1/3)^n with n from 1 to infinity = 50%]
So, huge Nerf for the UK and USA. They lose the protection of ‘killer fleet transports,’ have a 50% chance of losing the American Atlantic Navy, and also have a huge nerf in the Med with the loss of a Battleship and the downgrading of the 3/3 to a 2/2. This means the germans get to have big fun in the Med and Africa, and also that they will lose 1 less german fighter on their first turn. They will lose their Baltic Destroyer and Transport much easier, but their subs will survive to do some damage against the Allies. With proper positioning of their airforce first turn, the Allies will not be able to land in Europe or Africa on their first turn. Germany is now able to kill the Allied Navy and Transports much much easier, because Russia’s submarine and the allied transports can not shoot back or be taken as casualties against the German airforce.
Verdict:
Germany +
UK –
USA –
edit:
I should add that I think the nerfing is just fine. I tried to make it sound matter of fact style but it may have come off as complaining. Yes, Germany benefits from the changes, and the UK and USA are hurt a bunch by them, BUT I think that is just fine, perfectly ok, and probably makes this game more balanced than revised, yay! (the only thing I can complain about is the submarine in sz8, when it should be in sz7)
