I like the idea of increasing their range instead of the firing rate, which would certainly make them useful And different from the other weapons, but I would like to up the damage a little bit, just because of their tonnage. 70 Tons for their damage bracket seems like a lot to ask for something that is so high up in the research tree. I've found that it isn't feasible for me to research that line when there are more pressing matters (and in a good game, you don't get too much free time). When I need the high level of damage, I normally just put APBs on a larger mount--which can get you just as much damage as the normal WMG without the extra research.
SJ, do you think that the extra range would make up for these downsides by itself? Would you make a high speed ship that would strike at range, then flee (basically, a missile ship)? It makes for a heck of a picture--a battleship firing at a bunch of destroyers then running away.
