I think ships should have torpedo attack but also defense - land units do have two attack and defense values, too (+softness). I guess the abstract system can be optimized to make battles more realistic, if a few mechanics can be changed.
So far it seems that the fleets simply engage and try to get into firing range so the fastest ships usually end up being blown up by the heavy guns. Subs and other ships using mainly torpedoes attacking BBs results in almost no damage.
1) Add torpedo attack/defense and maneuverability/surprise (like landunits 2a/d + softness).
2) Fleets need to react as fleet (keep range/flee or attack).
3) Small, fast ships should be hard to hit by the big guns - but the escorts would fight it out (right now DDs get usually sunk asap - by the big guns and not the escorts).
In the end speed and escorts would become more valuable. A slow ship will force its escorts to defend it vs a faster attacker. A fast ship will keep its distance to the attacker and escorts + big guns would engage any small, fast vessels of that fleet trying to close in. If the fast ship has no escorts it might still get sunk, though and depending on damage they need to loose speed. I guess a solution for subs could be two values depending if they dive or attack - don't know if that can be modelled, though.
There are a lot of people who would love to play Japan and Italy (and to some degree the UK and the US are also affected) but don't simply because of the naval warfare. Really hope on Semper Fi.
So far it seems that the fleets simply engage and try to get into firing range so the fastest ships usually end up being blown up by the heavy guns. Subs and other ships using mainly torpedoes attacking BBs results in almost no damage.
1) Add torpedo attack/defense and maneuverability/surprise (like landunits 2a/d + softness).
2) Fleets need to react as fleet (keep range/flee or attack).
3) Small, fast ships should be hard to hit by the big guns - but the escorts would fight it out (right now DDs get usually sunk asap - by the big guns and not the escorts).
In the end speed and escorts would become more valuable. A slow ship will force its escorts to defend it vs a faster attacker. A fast ship will keep its distance to the attacker and escorts + big guns would engage any small, fast vessels of that fleet trying to close in. If the fast ship has no escorts it might still get sunk, though and depending on damage they need to loose speed. I guess a solution for subs could be two values depending if they dive or attack - don't know if that can be modelled, though.
There are a lot of people who would love to play Japan and Italy (and to some degree the UK and the US are also affected) but don't simply because of the naval warfare. Really hope on Semper Fi.