@Cmdr:
Why are we limiting BBs from defending against submarines?
Maybe limit battleships so that they cannot ATTACK submarines, but can still DEFEND against an attack by them? I just don’t see a battleship being sunk by a lone wolf submarine like transports can. They’d do something, you know?
Or if they cannot defend, perhaps (similar to the rules for Submarines when attacked by units they couldn’t defend against in classic) let the attacker get one shot in, then the defender may retreat one sea zone if there exists a sea zone in which they can retreat without initiating combat or violating canal rules? (Remember, in classic if you attacked a submarine with a fighter, if the fighter missed, the submarine could retreat a space, since it was not allowed to return fire, and submerging was not yet a rule.)
@Flashman:
Only one sub was ever sunk by a BB:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SM_U-29_(Germany)
In 1914 terms, this would give cruisers a definitive role in screening BBs from subs.
Yes, it would mean a lot more subs in the game but that is historical - naval commanders were in a state of panic of what to do about submarine; they seemed to make BBs obsolete.
One suggestion I’ve made is that you simply cannot have Battleships in a fleet without escorts (i.e. cruisers or destroyers if they’re available), much like you cannot have tanks without infantry.
So BBs can take a hit for the team, but they cannot be left as the last unit. Hence, you always have a chance against subs.
One question raised by the idea is:
If BBs cannot hit subs, then can they hit transports even if there are still enemy subs around? I say - yes!
BBs can’t hit subs certainly seems to create a more natural balance between the naval units in 1914; cruisers have a proper role, subs are now the deadly weapon they were instead of cheap cannon fodder, and BBs are not the overpowered monsters they so far seem to be.
I can’t speak for WWII versions; air power is the decisive element here that makes it a different ball game.
@Cmdr:
I would be willing to let submarines target transports on their first round opening fire, if there are nothing but submarines attacking.
Idea would be along the lines of:
"If you attack an enemy fleet with nothing but submarines, you have the option of a Sneak Attack. For each attacking submarine you must declare which SURFACE ship (transport, destroyer, cruiser, battleship, aircraft carrier, + any new surface ships we may create in the process.)
Fire groups of submarines on a per target basis at once, but do not fire submarines that are targeting different ships at the same time. If there are remaining destroyers present in the defending fleet, the defending fleet may return fire. After the first round of combat all attacking submarines MUST retreat if there are ANY surviving enemies (surface ships, transports or submarines) remaining in the sea zone attacked."
So yes, they can call their shots, but they cannot combine that ability if engaging the enemy with surface ships or aircraft. The idea is submarines can sneak up and fire before the enemy can get ready, but your aircraft screens (“Strawberry Flight” for example) will see surface ships on the water before they can get in range to attack and will warn the fleet so they can get from movement by column to attack formation, which would effectively screen battleships from submarines - for example.