Replacing the cruiser with an escort carrier is a fundamental change in game dynamics. A carrier
task force that loses it's CV would still have the CVE to support air operations until a re-spawn. This
reduces overall TF firepower but gives a limited time of continued base of operations for airborne planes.
There could be a possibility of making the jeep carriers only capable of providing rearming, and successfully
landing a sortie with no aircraft spawning capability. This would make the CV the juicer target still even
with it being the flagship that causes TF re-spawn.
This may also require combined TF (full fleet) operations for invasions if heavy opposition
is anticipated (as often would be the case). With the CV distance limitation the invasion TF would require
carrier aircraft already airborne and rotating over it to provide protection.
If player manned destroyers become spawnable from the TFs (with 4 drones still in place) then some degree
of additional protection is afforded.
So far, this would require modeling escort CVs, BBs, player commanded DDs and possibly landing craft.
P.S. If there are BB TF slug outs then the CV TF, if present, may ought to consider backing from the fray.
P.P.S. I would further recommend making the flagship the only spawnable point for DDs, PTs and amphibs
thereby reducing the chances of a flagship-less fleet spawning infinite DDs and such once it is essentially
'taken out of commission.'