@wilk7011:
1. If a sub attacks and hit a surface ship (not a capital ship) with a surprise strike, that unit is removed without a chance to fire back.
So, cruisers?
If there is a destroyer on defense, of course, sub special abilities are nullified.
Subs can annihilate any non-destroyer ship with a surprise strike (of course a capital ship has to already be damaged), including subs (that is if the attacking sub is accompanied by a destroyer which would nullify defending subs’ special abilities)
Examples:
- 2+ subs attack a battleship and score 2+ hits. Battleship is sunk by surprise strike and cannot fire back
- Sub + destroyer attack a sub and attacking sub hits. Defending sub is removed by surprise strike and cannot fire back (abilities nullified by destroyer). If the destroyer hits, then the defending sub DOES fire back, of course, because only submarines have surprise strike capability
- 2+ subs attack damaged battleship and damaged carrier. Each sub hit will destroy one of these capital ships by surprise strike and the hit unit does not fire back
2. If a sub hits another sub with a surprise strike that sub still gets to surprise strike back before it is removed
Only when no destroyers are present on either side, then yes (assuming neither side submerged, as simon33 said)
3. If a sub opts not to submerge and gets a hit with a surprise strike on defense the attackers takes off a surface ship (not capital ship) with out that unit firing back.
It’s not exactly clear to me what you’re asking, so I’ll cover it this way:
2 large fleets with every type of naval unit except destroyers are battling
Page 19 explains: Attacking subs roll. Defender chooses sea unit casualties (could be submarines, but not transports unless only transports are left) and “moves it behind the casualty strip”. Then defending subs roll (rulebook doesn’t appear to be clear here, but this includes subs that were chosen as casualties to attacking subs) and the attacker chooses sea unit casualties (could be submarines, but not transports unless only transports remain).
So it sounds like you need to get this “surface ship” thing out of your head :-) It’s just that an undamaged battleship or carrier, or a cruiser are the only ships that can get blasted by a surprise strike without being able to return fire, IF they are chosen. (Subs can be sunk by surprise strike without a chance to fire back, too, if they are attacked by a force that includes a destroyer)
4. Defending subs have option to submerge before attacking subs can surprise attack
Right, as per page 19. Attacking and defending subs choose to submerge or fire, and this occurs before any firing (rolling) takes place
Feel free to ask follow up questions - I’m not sure all of this will be crystal clear with you yet