I think my favorite is the “fortification” idea – the opportunity to hit loaded transports BEFORE they can land their troops. Would this be negated by accompanying warships? Perhaps on a 1:1 basis. Each transport that is paired with a warship is protected from fortification fire.If you have more transports than warships, all remaining transports can be fired on.
The idea is this: SB fire first because it is longer range, hits removed, then defender if they have fortification get preemptive fire at loaded transports hitting @1 with 3 shots ( even if you got 5 transports its only 3 rolls. This occurs just once. Note: attacker picks three candidates rolling for each, if hit that selection is removed.
It does not make sence to negate due to “warships”
The cost will be high enough to balance it out the game. i suggest 6-8 IPC
You could even take it a step further by designating a level of protection from each type of warship. You mentioned fortifications get a roll of 3 or less against loaded transports. How about this idea:
Unescorted transports: Roll of 3 or less can hit them.
Transports with Destroyer: Roll of 2 or less can hit them.
Transports with Cruiser: Roll of 1 can hit them.
Transports with Battleship: Totally protected, can not be hit by fortification fire.
This is too arbitrary. Too much to deal with. It must be simple.
On a side note, this would totally suck for the invader. There’s nothing I hate more than having an enemy sink my transports when they are still full of men and equipment.
It is only 3 rolls @1, just like AA guns killing 12 IPC bombers. Transport and 2 land units is about 13-15 IPC so its close. The idea is to stop the small invasions just to pick up IPC. A large Invasion wont really be effected.