AR 196 *DONE*

The He-115 is a Patrol Bomber that can be escorted and has a 3/5/1 A/V/H stat line, it deserves the 7 point cost.  This unit is a LOT more effective/versatile despite its lower bomb value... especially with the Spotter SA.

The Italian Z.511 is a 10 point Patrol Bomber with ASW, Torps, Bombs, a 4/7/1 stat line, and Loiter.  The AR196 is not anywhere that firepower, but has the same defense and what it lacks in Firepower makes up for with an AA score and the Spotter ability.


You're welcome.  Honestly I'm thinking that the unit is closer to 9 than 8.  8.75?  It's an early war fighter with sea basing which makes it a threat to early war bombers (even with the 5 AA: 1939-1940 only sees one Dive/Torp/Patrol Bomber with a 5 Armor and most have a 6 Vital).  Toss in the Spotter ability and the rare opportunity to make a Bomb/ASW attack and it's actually a pretty good niche unit that could take some finesse to use.  To be completely honest is this a unit I would take in a 1945 battle?  No, but there are a lot of good early war units that I wouldn't take in a 1945 fight.  

I think I'm in the minority though when I saw the unit is good and at a fair cost, however it probably wouldn't hurt to give it a "weaker" SA to balance it out.  Considering the roll of the plane, I would recommend the following which is actually on the Spariviero:

ASW Search: At the beginning of your Air Attack step, you may choose an enemy submarine. Friendly ships roll one extra attack die when making ASW attacks against that Submarine this turn

Giving the plane the ability to Spot both a ship and a sub in the same turn might have to be playtested some more... but it's limiting enough and fits the roll that I'd be ok with adding it and keeping the costs at 9.

Or make it 7 and stop mucking around.
It can still only do one thing at a time.

I'll be more than happy to take you on in an online playtest you can have either the Germans or allies (1940, 200pts).  I think people are undervaluing the unit being a fighter and spotter in early years.

I don't think the unit needs defensive help, and it's on par with most attack craft (despite lack of high attack numbers).  Remember it can use ASW/AA/Bomb with the Spotter ability, in the right situations this can be powerful, especially if it's nestled in the safety of friendly ships with a higher AA.  Will you risk your fighter to go after the spotter?

I'm not taking any offense to the criticism.... but a note.  I built the fleets for the playtest as if I was playing in a tournament.  In a tournament setting I wouldn't take a single attack plane unless I thought I could get air superiority, even more so in a early war match with AA7 and 5/8/1 fighters zipping around.  I just don't think the unit as is will break the game at 8 or be a dust magnet at 9, so if the developers want to call it done at 8, so be it.  

Its SAs dont add real value. the core stats are only worth 7

A potentiallu devestating gunnery attack includes dozens of points tied up in surface ships.

Probably one point since you don't have to buy a carrier. About the same as Loiter, but you don't take up a land-based space. So maybe 1.5. Carrier basing is generally considered to be 1 pt bonus over land based.

Fulmar I/II + sea basing = 6
Fulmar I/II + sea basing plus 3 bomb and 2 ASW = 7 IMO At the most it is 7.5, and I think round-down is safe here. Assigning a full point to the 3 Bomb plus 2 ASW is on the high side IMO.

Spotter may be a narrow SA, but you know for sure you will be making gunnery attacks somewhere in most turns (except the first) so you will almost always get some return on it. Unless it is aborted or destroyed right away. But even then it is tying up an opponent's fighter.

I still feel that 7 for the unit is too low. However, I yield to the democratic majority. Let's price it at 7 and move on to the next unit.