@Black_Elk:
Despite my reservations, a nerfed base might be fun, if you can find rules you like that work for the map scale. One possible approach, if you want to pursue a full redesign of the game, would be to include them, but not as units for purchase.
This sounds like it may be a viable option to begin with. We’ve been discussing the addition of adding an air transport in another thread. One proposal offered involved them being used around the air bases. From KNP7765:
Attack 0, Defense 0, Move 6, Cost 8
Subject to AA fire
Can move 1 paratrooper in combat move to enemy territory and land in any friendly territory. MUST load at an air base.
Can move 2 infantry in non-combat move to any friendly territory with an air base. MUST load at an air base.
Can move 1 infantry in non-combat move from any friendly territory to any other friendly territory. Does NOT need an air base.
If transport planes are in a territory that is attacked and all friendly combat units are destroyed and there are enemy combat units(s) remaining, transport planes are automatically destroyed. (same as sea transports)
This would give a purpose for an air base if the extra move component was removed.
As far as naval, the ability to repair BB and CV is fairly substantial in-and-of-itself. I’ve read the scramble rules. It can be tried to see how it does on the 1942.2 board. It can always be nixed if needed. The extra movement can be nixed as well from the get-go perhaps to maintain balance.
In this way the bases do have a purpose. Perhaps not enough of a purpose to go out and buy one, but if as you suggest you go with the starting bases and allow no future purchases then they are fine. In other words they are useful enough to have because you start with some, but not useful enough to purchase more. So in the 1942.2 Global game you learn to use what you start with.
If we want to discuss including the extra movement point…
On the 1940 Global map a strategic bomber leaving London (M7) can get all the way to Evenkiyskiy. On the 1942.2 map, the same M7 SB, using the same route can get to the far side of Russia. That is substantial and concerns, imo, are justified.
As far as naval bases, U.S. can get from Hawaii to Iwo Jima using M3 on the 1940 global map. 1942.2 puts you off the coast of Tokyo. So as with the air base, the extra move on the 1942.2 board probably just isn’t the best idea.
So I’m leaning on the as-is air bases that work with air transport and the naval bases that repair ships. Scramble is still up for discussion.
As far as the TB and MI, perhaps just as easy to allow each player to replace 1 ftr with a TB and one inf with a mech at the start and then they can purchase them as per normal rules. That way no one has anything ‘extra’ from the OOB and the capabilities of just two units at the start are slightly enhanced.