here, since your fond of the piccies Ill post the major navies of hte other factions so you can get a feel for their design choices. Note these are just the first wave faction. Theres still the french, ottoman empire, Russian *if im not mistaken* Italian I believe, the Antarctic and possibly the Spanish.
hers the 'Federated States of America" forces. As you can see they are more akin to civil war steam ironclads. They even focus on the paddle-wheel aspect of the design. Actually in game giving them decent maneuverability.
I do love their multiple decked carrier as well. although it may not have the most in terms of firepower, it makes up for it by being able to cycle aircraft squads quicker than any other force. Also its very cheap by carrier point costs allowing you to if you want incorporate more into your game or add it without making it a serious investment choice.
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Then here are the Prussians, the designs are kind of reminiscent of inter-war looks. Although they are also fitted with deadly tesla weaponry. Their ships are decently fast a well as having the advantage at close in firepower. Their boarding rocket troops are the best in the game as well. To fight the Prussians up close is to mean certain devastation.
Also ^^ zeppelin aircraft carrier.
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Lastly there's the Empire of the Blazing Sun. Their army has powerful weaponry in the ways of torpedos, rockets, cannon broadsides and on their larger craft turrets as well. They are also incredibly durable craft, having their critical damage rating higher than the averages of most nations. The only disadvantage is their weapons are usually fixed along their hulls, being torps in the front while their powerful broadsides are of course fixed port and starboard. what this means is a good commander must be well adept at positioning where they can make the most out of the firepower they have. Of course their rocket batteries can fire in any direction. So a commander must know when to bombard their enemy from afar, perhaps dance around them unleashing hellish volleys on select targets, or perhaps risk cutting through the enemies lines to bring all their weapons to bare and smash through enemy formations.