It doesn't and it shouldn't. You keep making logical mistakes. In general, the price should reflect performace. If zis is not more expensive than pak, it shouldn't be better. It is better because of the barrage. Some people on this forum suggest moving it to vet 1 which makes semnse to me and is very logical as it counters units that are designed to counter zis, which is already more difficult to decrew because of higher number of models.
The armour on vehicles is another story. Those with more armour are more expensive and require more complicated tech. To counter them you should build more powerful AT units or build 2 zis guns for example. You can't have a very cheap unit to counter expensive units. Soviets are supposed to build more cheaper tanks to overrun enemy. It can be done easily. With doctrines they get much heavier units. But this has nothing to do with zis barrage which is just still too potent.
No it doesn't. SU 85 compensates that and satchels, etc. Zis barrage keeps making it too difficult for typical at gun counters to counter them, and you get it for free as an extra.
Ost has a better barrrage actual nades and cqc inf non doc to deal perfectly fine with 6 men teams. The p4 can kill inf teams faster then t34 can. Axis inf have better dps to deal with bigger squads as well. You know they balanced it this way. You use mortars flanking inf nades etc to deal with at gun, nit just run towards them and fuck m up. Esp not when supported.
If you cant do that its on you. If you stay still and get hit by the barrage its on you. its no excuse to nerf the zis.
The zis and pak start out simaler vs mediums. The fact ost and axis in general has a far easier time getting heavier armour somehow elludes you. At that moment the difference in zis and pack become clear. The pak will penn easier still. Can support armour better because of its vet ability. The zis falls behind in at at that point.
Now i know you will ignore this. no non doc nades no non doc ai upgrade, worse barrage on the mortar lower pen thus worse at prefornance vs higher armoured targets, all non doc still. Because docs fill in gaps as you should know. That is why the zis and also the su76 are multyrole.
You say that weapon teams are its counter. And your inf gets raped by it. Again dont stand still dont walk into it. The barrage is for static targets, if your pgren volks whetever gets hit bye it you are unlucky or fucked up.
Sov do build more powerfull units to counter heavier armour because they need to every game. Axis can get 240 armour minumum every game. Soviets only via doctrines, other wise they are stuck at 160 armour.
The fact that only when some one else bring it up that the siz barrage is to potent, and only then you feel the same way says it all. You never noticed before. Because it has not been to potent since launch. They changed and nerfed it already last patch.
And you can have 2 "cheap units" counter a expensive unit. Esp when their focus is mostly or completly ai or ai. And also when their total cost is equal or more then the single expensive unit.
That you think otherwise shows that you are an entitled indevidual. With no real interest in real balance. I am done talking with you.
Happy trolling sir.