I've heard several complaints about how SSX get a guaranteed shot off against any non-moving unit/structure of the planet they target, due to being able to enter the orbital layer in any position they like. 1 SSX can kill a loaded anti-nuke, and a group of them can cheap-shot inexperienced players who don't know to put their comm on area patrol. Here's my solution: when you order an orbital unit to move to a spot on another planet, it enters the orbital layer at whichever equatorial position is closest to its destination, then moves to its destination inside the orbital layer. This neatly stops SSX insta-snipes, and introduces more tactics into orbital fighting, with the equator as the main combat zone, and the poles relatively secure. Furthermore, when SSX's lose their insta-snipe capability, it becomes reasonable to drastically reduce their cost so they can assault Umbrellas without taking absurd losses. This would be an excellent addition to a player's orbital assault capabilities. Lastly, this limitation is actually somewhat intuitive: the system view shows interplanetary units travelling inside the equatorial plane, so it makes sense for them to enter the orbital layer on the equator. Agree? Disagree?
I think there simply needs to be a few second transition period – for orbital units and transports. When the orbital unit gets to the other planet, it needs to fully get into the layer – if that makes any sense. While it's moving into the new orbital layer, it can't shoot at anything because it isn't completely in the new layer. But it's in the orbital layer enough that other units can shoot at it. This should be the same thing for both air transports as well as the Astraeus. So the transports have to lower themselves to the ground, and while they're lowering themselves through the layers, they're vulnerable to the units that are in that layer.
I like this idea. For one thing the variable entry and exit from ground to orbital and vice versa means that a later who gets his astraeus off the ground first may actually leave the planet second depending on where on the planet it is launched. Saw this in a stream yesterday. It's counter intuitive and rewards blind luck, and can really have a big impact on the race to orbital.
Eh, but then the defender could just line the equator with Anchors/Umbrellas and make a planet impenetrable. A 2-5 second long transition period sounds better.