We clearly have different outlooks on naval theory.
Transports are the MOST important unit in a navy. Without transports, a navy is essentially useless.
Sure, Yep, you can have a FAT navy off queensland, mixed with the U.S. that the japs can’t take out. But what does it matter if they have all the island they want, are collecting all the NO’s they need, and are laughing all the way to the bank?
You’ve got to get in there and get dirty, even if that means your transport dies. you’ll get + 4, they’ll lose 4, and they’ll have to attack the island AGAIN to have a chance at taking it back. It’s how you slow down Japan, making them pay for the same real estate twice. Or making them unable to do so.
I’ll give the U.S. 1000 battleships off the coast of japan, if they aren’t allowed to build transports for the entire game, and I already have all or most of the islands. Taking ground is where the victory is made.
The islands/areas to take, include the 4 DEI islands, possible factories built on the mainland in FIC or Hong Kong that are left exposed, the Phillipines, Malaya, and other islands involving U.S. or Anzac NO’s.