@Uncrustable:
You asked about SS @7 IPCs.
I wonder if we can add some sense to them with these prices…
That is: When a submarine is not submerged, there are no special rules regarding aircraft vs subs. When a submarine is or is not submerged does not change from OOB. However a sub still can never act as a blocker.
While not submerged, or at the surface, a sub does not have a first strike ‘sneak attack’
While at the surface it can hit enemy air units, and enemy air units do not need a destroyer to hit the sub.
Once a sub submerges it can no longer hit aircraft, aircraft then need a destroyer to hit the sub.
A submerged sub retains it’s first strike ‘sneak attack’ as long as there are no enemy destroyers present.
Also a submarine may submerge and retreat the battle, without leaving the SZ. So long as there are no enemy destroyers in the battle.
According to the rules (if I’m not mistaken) a submarine is considered ‘at the surface’ or ‘not submerged’ until it’s owner decides whether or not to submerge it. Once submerged it remains that way until the end of the battle, where it then resurfaces.
Basically a sub has 3 options:
Stay at the surface (acting as a normal A2D1 unit)
Submerge (use current OOB rules)
Submerge and retreat from the battle (remaining in the SZ)
In OOB rules a destroyer effectively blocks enemy submarines from submerging.
With these rules a submarine could still submerge, but an enemy destroyer blocks both the sneak attack and submerge and retreat while allowing friendly aircraft to target enemy subs.
This would give subs a little more power.
However considering there is only 1 IPC difference in cost from a destroyer, and submarines cannot block, I think there will be good reason to have some of both.
Is this too powerful for subs?
With this they can now act as proper escorts for transports. Albeit at a very low defensive roll (1)
This would certainly change some of the core dynamics of the game.
What do you think ?
On Subs, here is a different way to improve planes vs subs battle.
1a) Planes only (without DD) can attack subs only naval group (or with transport) A@1.
b) All sunken subs can retaliate @1 (against successful planes only) but not undamaged subs.
c) After first round attack, all surviving subs can submerge in the same sea-zone.
2a) When planes only (without DD) attacks Subs+ other warships, Fg A3 StB A4, as OOB
b) However, the defender can now choose to sink Subs instead of surface vessel (contrary to OOB).
But, to do it, the defender must announce at the start of the first round that his subs are not submerging.
c) As above, all sunken subs can retaliate @1 (vs successful planes) but not undamaged subs.
d) After the first round all subs can still submerge (as OOB Sub Surprise Phase).
3a) When planes and other warships except DD attacks Subs only, all planes A@1.
b) All subs rolls as OOB a surprise defense strike @1 or can elect to submerge in the same SZ.
c) If Subs elect to submerge instead, only planes can attack @1 and it is played as in 1a above.
4a) When DD is present, all is played as OOB except all defending Subs can submerge after first round.
Subs on offence cannot hit planes.
But when there is only defending planes, subs can be chose as casualties (contrary to OOB).