I am relatively new to the game and building out my IJN and USN fleets. This thread is helpful and interesting. I have thought that Aircraft Carriers were probably a tipping points in terms of balance between the different Navies. Sure the European factions all have at least one Aircraft Carriers to pick from but the shear variety and generally buffed power of the US and IJN carriers feels like those Navies would have a significant advantage vs the European Navies in a carrier battle.
That said I do think it makes perfect sense (from a historical perspective) that if playing a 1945 game the USN is going to outclass every other navy in the game as by that point in the war the US had by far the most powerful Navy in the world. 1942/43 is probably a good balance point where early war the IJN is going to have an advantage. I am not sure if not playing the scenarios how you properly balance the game among all Navies in a pure points battle.
I have not honestly gotten deep enough into the other 4 Navies to figure out for myself where the balance/tipping points are. One thought I have had is that in a Points based system I would think allowing mixed Axis and Allies fleets based in 42/43 may be one way to have more balanced and varied points battle games. The other thought is Carriers maybe should just give a discount on flight point costs not get all the flights “included” in the price, also I think the Carriers in deep deployment and off the board is problematic.
