@Shin:
I wonder - has any thought been given to reducing the cost of Tac Bombers to 10? Fighters got buffed with this mod, and they were strong to begin with. Now, to be fair, I’m not sure what that would mean historically speaking, nor do I expect that it would change the overall balance much.
I just like the idea of having more viable options in terms of units. Cruisers are solid at 12 with the Marine option, I think. Battleships could be reduced somewhat, which WOULD be historical, right? Maybe to 18?
Probably Tac attack values in TcBR should have been rise to A2 along with Fighter, since Fg gets +1A/1D while TcB gets a single +1A bonus.
This can be a way to give TacB more value for its price without changing cost and other regular values.
As a matter of statistical: OOB G40 SBR even point (near 0 IPCs damage differential) between offense and defense is 4 StBs and 1 Fg against 9 Fg, almost a .500 StB for 1 Fg to be even.
The Balance Mode Fg A2 D2 rise the ratio to 1.154 StB for 1 Fg for a near 0 IPCs/SBR run differential (-0.11 IPC/run).
Break even point is obtained with 13 StBs against 11 Fgs, for a 6.5/5.5 = 1.154 StB/Fg unescorted ratio.
Increasing TcB would improve the SBR ratio for offense.
Or 5 StBs and 3 Fgs against 8 Fgs, if a Fg worth 5/6 StB (10/12 IPC), gives a ratio of 7.5/8 = .9375 StBs/Fg ratio for escorted.
However, a less radical change which would have certainly increase the number of intercept and SBR dogfight without rising Fg capacity is:
Strategic bomber SBR value is A0 but damage is increase to 1D6+3.
TacB stay A1, damage D6 and Fg A1 D1.
Such features put 7 StBs on par against 10 Fgs, for a .700 StB for 1 Fg ratio.
Less powerful than G40 OOB SBR but better than Balance Mod SBR.
In addition, Fgs defending @1 are much less fearful and StBs having no offense is an incentive to intercept at no risk (but damage on ICs stay high for defender) and to bring more escorting Fgs along as fodder and to destroy some Fg interceptors too.