viewtopic.php?f=176&t=7459&start=25There are a couple of ways to prevent factory-sniping. First off, it requires LOS to shoot them, so we could expand the half-map rule to be obeyed even before the 40th minute. Secondly, for instance, we could nerf monitors' long-range attack, just like it was done in EP, or increase factories' HP count so that they're not burned after 3 straight monitor shots. It would be a bit ridiculous, so I think the second option is the best.
Before anyone mentions possible balance issues, I'll repeat what I said already somewhere in a similar topic: we can always play mirrors at least. But actually looking at either Brits, Ports or for example Spain they both have their pros and cons. The former obviously have Offshore Support, but lack Navigation School and Coastal Defences, which the second one in a row possess. The latter, on the other hand, has some good upgrades and OP galeons — they don't always come in to play, but in such circumstances they would serve as mobile barracks and stables, which certainly makes them more crucial.
In terms of lag, if you play with someone with a decent connection and not a high number of other participants (ergo 1v1s, possibly 2v2s), the lag shouldn't be that much more annoying than it is in regular „rush" games on water maps IMO. Of course there will be tons of units, but that's also the case sometimes in supremacy without treaty.