EIA:Strategy:Fleet in being
This article is about naval strategy in EiA.
Lets begin by examining the goals of the most likely dominant naval power - Great Britain.
GB does not have superiority over potential enemies at the start of any campaign. Still, successful invasion of England is very difficult.
Tactics aside, it is to GBs advantage to fight naval battles. GB may lose more ships at times, but no other nation has the money and motivation to build a massive fleet. Any war that does not end in a rapid surrender of GB only serves to strengthen the GB.
British fleet will reach it's maximum, exchanging ships with potential enemies increases British advantage.
British naval strategy is often best employed as Kantai Kessen
Anti-British forces should, usually, stick to Fleet in being-strategy.