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 - seeking decisive battle. Even if you lose it, you win - if you are British.

Anti-British forces should, usually, stick to Fleet in being-strategy.
Obviously, this will not lead to defeat of Britain, at least not in near future, but limiting British strategic abilities is quite valuable.If British ships are guarding the channel, they cant do much else and, especially in the early campaigns, key to British strategic freedom lies in Africa. Conquering large portions of Africa gains Britain lots of much needed manpower and significant amounts of $ as well.

But there is no way Britain can conquer Africa if she has to guard her own islands. Just threatening an invasion is very valuable to those who seek to undermine British interests.

Left without meaningful conquests, Britain can not manipulate with manpower nor send many troops on the continent. A strong threat of invasion can often completely shut down British ability to affect the game, except in the immediate vicinity of her home islands.