So I know we have several games going on right now, I’m just throwing this out to see what people think, and maybe play it later. All suggestions are welcome!
-Limited Subs-
In this situation, the number of subs that you can have in transit at any point is limited. Your queen gives you 3 subs, and for every 5 outposts you have, you get 4 more subs. (Rounded down, so 5 outposts is four subs, nine outposts is still four subs, but ten outposts is eight subs.) You cannot exceed your Maximum Sub Count under any circumstances, even if this means your elimination.
Any sub that you have sent out counts towards you MSC. Subs forced to return with a diplomat do not count, nor do subs captured when using a pirate. However, the pirate itself is a sub. If your sub is turned back with a saboteur, it still counts, though the captured saboteur sub does not. Subs that are gifted count, but if transferred mid travel, they count for the player who captures.
But have no fear, you can still gain subs through other means.
A Navigator is +1
An Admiral is +2
A Tycoon is +1
Be warned, some specialists will lower your sub count.
A King is -2
A Sentry is -1
A Diplomat is -1
If your sub count drops below your current number of subs, you cannot send any subs until you have fewer subs in transit than your sub count.
For example, Blobbydud has 12 outposts, an admiral, and a queen. His Max Sub Count is 13, and he has all 13 going. His admiral is captured, lowering his MSC to 11. Dud cannot send any new subs until at least three of his subs hit home.
If you accidentally go over your MSC, then you must choose enough subs to turn into gifts, even if they are going to your own outpost. Attack subs are a priority, so if you launch an attack, and then go over your MSC, then you have to gift any attacking subs before internal ones. (However, Specialists are returned back to the owner.)
Any thoughts? It would be hard to enforce the exact count well, so everybody would have to be understanding.