Why not, right? Anyway let’s get started.
Despite having the most beautiful water in any AoE game, we all know naval combat in AoE3 is a little bland and could use some more distinction to liven it up. Some have suggested an all new counter system, but I like to work within the existing Ship/Building counter system so here’s a couple things I think would be cool to see. This is based almost purely on gameplay desires, since I admittedly know little to nothing about history.
New naval unit: Unrated Merchant Vessel
Based on the privateer, this is a ship that is inexpensive but cost effective at sea. Performs abysmally against land units and base defenses. Available to train by colonial civs and available via shipments by European civs.
Coastal Battery
A land defensive structure that primarily targets ships. Effective against ships, and trades evenly with seige ships (galleons and monitors). Does minimal damage against land units.
Steam Ship
Now available to everyone. A caravel/exploration class ship that performs mediocre in combat but has a large LOS and speed.
New Stance: Coastal Bombardment
Increases armor against land defenses. Greatly increases the range of ships while simultaneously reducing the attack and making the ships susceptible to attack from other ships. Takes ~10 seconds to engage/disengage. Only available to galleons and frigates.
Dugout Canoe
Replaces the native canoe. Essentially a canoe with a little worse stats and little lower cost to compensate. “Dugout” implies that it is more basic than the standard canoe trained by native civs. Native civs will be able to train their native canoe alongside the dugout canoe when allied with native settlements.
Bull Boat
Very inexpensive canoe costing only food, available to Lakota. Gives the Lakota something on water other than their usual play. (losing)
Waka taua
War canoe for future/potential Maori civ. Bigger, stronger, and more expensive than a standard war canoe.
That’s it for now. What would it take for you to play more water maps?