I think Leatherneckinlv’s problem is with your term “Dreadnought”. When they came out before and during WW1, they were like you say, the most powerful warships on the sea. However, by WW2, the dreadnoughts were really outclassed by the more modern style of battleships being built (Bismarck, USS Iowa, USS North Carolina, HMS King George V, Yamato, etc.)
It sounds like you are coming up with the concept of the “Super Battleship” with the heavy firepower and 3 hits to sink. I like the idea because I have always been a fan of the battleship. (Sometimes in our games I will mess up my own strategies because I just have to get a battleship when I should get other units.)
I’m thinking some examples of this extra powerful battleship might be: Super Yamato for Japan, USS Montana for US, H-44 for Germany, Soviet Soyuz for Russia.
One thing that concerns me is that battleships were proven to be vulnerable to air attack. That’s how the Yamato and Musashi were sunk. Then there was the Prince of Wales and Repulse. Also, the Littorio class battleship “Roma” was sunk by the Luftwaffe when they tried to surrender to the Allies after Italy changed sides.
Perhaps this should be reflected in this new Super Battleship. Like if one was attacked by air only, the defense factor should go down by one. Defend @ 5 against enemy warships but @ 4 just enemy planes (and possibly subs). Just a thought.
Also, if they got 1 or 2 hits, would there be any lessening of their abilities?