Here is an extract of a longer quote explaining a few issues on Subs vs DDs and planes.
It also includes Sub unit with different features which make more streamlined interactions between these units.
If you play on boardgame, I believe you will like these changes.
Subs defense is less effective because it always remain 1, no surprise strike possible (same as Classic Subs) but on offense Sub keeps is @2 Surprise Strike in all situations.
However, a few features increase Sub survivabilty, such as 1:1 blocking by Destroyer.
That way, at 7 IPCs for a Submarine and not allowing Sub to hit each other, it is no more interesting as a cheap naval fodder.
8 IPCs Destroyer will finally get is main role as naval fodder and still be the unit to protect other bigger warships and TPs against this revamped Sub.
@Baron:
Second rule: Sub’s A2 first strike, on a 1 Sub vs 1 DD, U-boats are better now than OOB and let the player feels each Sub have a better offensive capacity (in fact, on same IPC basis, 6 Subs A2fs vs 5 DDs D2 keep a similar combat odds as OOB 8 Subs Attacking @2 vs 6 Destroyers defending @2). Still the first strike ability increase the Submarine survivability because the defender cannot retaliate.
Third rule: DD blocks on a 1:1 basis Stealth Move and Submerge for first round only. Now, a single DD blocker cannot freeze U-boats in Baltic Sea. An Axis player can move beyond first DD blocker and play a cat and mice game with an improved stealth move (or a less effective blocking capacity).
Also, a many aircrafts and only 1 DD combined attack on many Subs defending @1 can no more result in a U-boats slaughter. Only 1 Sub would be trapped and unable to submerge. In addition, it would be a one shot attack since DD blocks only submerge for the first round. All this would increase the U-boat survivability.
I want to let you know that, if near OOB cost structure is chosen, there is also a way to have simpler interaction between Destroyers, Submarines and planes balanced at these cost:
Unit type
Cost Combat values
Special abilities
SUBMARINE
7 IPCs A2fs* D1 M2
Permanent A2 first strike *against all surface vessels only, including DDs.
Cannot hit Submarine or Aircraft
Submerge before combat (unless DD present) and Stealth Move (unless blocked by DD)
Unsubmerged Subs can be hit by aircrafts even when DD not present.
DESTROYER
8 IPCs A2 D2 M2
Block Sub’s Submerge (first round only) and Stealth move, both on a 1:1 basis.
Submarines at 7 IPCs unable to be hit by Subs is less interesting as an all around naval fodder.
Destroyer at 8 is much more a better naval fodder.
And from same ipc basis cost ratio, it is similar to OOB.
8 OOB Subs (C6) vs 6 OOB Destroyers
A. survives: 87.6%D. survives: 11.7% No one survives: 0.8%
8 Subs A2fs C7 vs 7 DDs A2 D2
A. survives: 88.4%D. survives: 11.6% No one survives: 0%
http://calc.axisandallies.org/?mustland=0&abortratio=0&saveunits=0&strafeunits=0&aInf=&aArt=&aArm=&aFig=&aBom=&aTra=&aSub=8&aDes=&aCru=&aCar=&aBat=&adBat=&dInf=&dArt=&dArm=&dFig=&dBom=&dTra=&dSub=&dDes=6&dCru=&dCar=&dBat=&ddBat=&ool_att=Bat-Inf-Art-AArt-Arm-Sub-SSub-Des-Fig-JFig-Cru-Bom-HBom-Car-dBat-Tra&ool_def=Bat-Inf-Art-AArt-Arm-Bom-HBom-Sub-SSub-Des-Car-Cru-Fig-JFig-dBat-Tra&battle=Run&rounds=&reps=10000&luck=pure&ruleset=AA1942&territory=&round=1&pbem=
http://calc.axisandallies.org/?mustland=0&abortratio=0&saveunits=0&strafeunits=0&aInf=&aArt=&aArm=&aFig=&aBom=&aTra=&aSub=8&aDes=&aCru=&aCar=&aBat=&adBat=&dInf=&dArt=&dArm=&dFig=&dBom=&dTra=&dSub=&dDes=&dCru=&dCar=7&dBat=&ddBat=&ool_att=Bat-Inf-Art-AArt-Arm-Sub-SSub-Des-Fig-JFig-Cru-Bom-HBom-Car-dBat-Tra&ool_def=Bat-Inf-Art-AArt-Arm-Bom-HBom-Sub-SSub-Des-Car-Cru-Fig-JFig-dBat-Tra&battle=Run&rounds=&reps=10000&luck=pure&ruleset=AA1942&territory=&round=1&pbem=