Bring back the large protected cruisers!!

[ule]

I consider the early armoured cruisers pretty much useless for most roles a large cruiser is expected to fill. But of course there is the prestige penalty if I do not built enough of them. Thus I have so far made the same decision the British (with the 1st class cruisers from Blake to Diadem class) or Germans (with Kaiserin Augusta and the Victoria Luise class) made in the 1890 historically: I built large protected cruisers which filled the role strategically. Of course tactically they were at a disadvantage in combat against the armoured cousins, but able to run away under most conditions. Naturally I am a bit miffed that this historical strategic choice was classified as a bug in the new update and taken away. So can you bring it back pretty please?

[akd]

Agreed. Attempt to build British Diadem class for 1900 legacy fleet as large CL protected cruiser, but is identified as CA. Allow switch to CA class, is not allowed to be protected cruiser. Hmm?

[brygun]

Should your game already have some you also can't upgrade them in any way, not even fire control, as it fails the allowed armor scheme step.

I don't understand why this "fix" was even needed. There are pros and cons to the protected turtle shell vs up raised armor plates.

Both have their place in the early game, 1890 and 1900. Later on the need for protection phases out the protected only through natural causes.

[wlbjork]

Agreed, it felt earlier like NWS were trying to force all Protected Cruisers into the CL role, this has now confirmed it.

But, as you say, that's not what happened historically. The protection of pre-Harvey armour types coupled with the Belted armour scheme were deemed inadequate for large Cruisers due to the Battle of Yellow River, so several nations chose to build large Protected Cruisers that were used in the same manner as Armoured Cruisers.

We need to go back to the old limits of 8,000t for a CL and no restrictions on armour schemes for a CA.

[krawa]

I already started a thread under General Discussions asking for the reason of this change and I fully agree with the thread starter. Beside allowing large protected cruisers for the player the AI should also build those ships instead of armoured cruisers during the 1890s as happened historically.
For tonnage cutoff I suggest 6000t in 1890 and raise it to 8000t in 1900, anything larger is per definition a CA. If a ship during refit not longer meets the requirements of a CA it should be reclassified as a CL.