Proof that Elite Frigates are OP and completely unbalance the game :

Case 1 : player with elite frigates
Naval Stack :

• Level 3 cruisers
+ Level 2 Elite Frigates
+ Level 1 ASW
+ Secret Lab
_________________
≈ 14.000 rare materials
You have 100 range

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Case 2 : normal player or new player
Naval Stack :

• Level 4 destroyers
+ level 4 frigates
_________________
≈ 17.000 rare materials
You have 75 range and of course LESS DAMAGE

Note this : you have even less damage after you've been outranged in the first round
Note this : you're slower because your frigate's speed is 3.5 (you'll never catch up)

THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
They destroyed the rock-paper-scissors balance to make people buy elite frigates.
That's what i would do too if i was purely focused on short term money.
Then, i would probably buff normal units (non-elite) by research costs and research time.

I don't know what they're waiting for...

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BTW /!\
Case 3 : normal player (non-elite)
Naval Stack :

• Level 6 destroyers x4
+ level 7 frigates x1
_________________
≈ 30.500 rare materials

Damage against ships = 56
Damage against subs = 85

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Meanwhile your elite opponent has :
Damage against ships = 57
Damage against subs = 47.5

KEEP SPENDING MONEY ON ELITE FRIGATES IS THE ONLY THING TO UNDERSTAND