Can't we make panther a slightly better comet? A tier 4 panzer 4 replacement. Just like it was meant to be historically (The production cost was just slightly higher than that of p4) I simply don't agree it should be some kind of 'strange' tank destroyer. Tier 3 stug should be ostheer's main TD while p4 should be replaced at some point by panthers that should be sth like 20%-30% better than ostheer's panzer 4s.
That's just cookie-cutting, "getting more in line with..." business, which is always a bad idea. If the plan of balancing is taking one faction's units, recoloring them and adding them to other units, then I'm quitting COH2 right now. You can't copy-paste stats and based on price, change the said stats by <N> percent. Axis have strong tanks, Comet is more well rounded but Panther is a much stronger tank hunter (not destroyer). Don't know why people want Panther to be buffed so much... It's a strong tank that can take down infantry if they are left unsupported (and AT squads) with it's MGs. If you want historical accuracy, then add a chance to every tank that it breaks down and loses 30% of HP with a random critical (except turret destroyed) damage while doing some random action. Nobody would play Panthers, King Tigers or Jagds anymore.
Just a basic comparison of tanks.
Comparing OST and USF:
Axis:
* Flakpanzer, tank USF: Half truck, not a tank, can suppress
* Panzer IV, better armored, veterancy improves that USF: M4A3 Sherman, same but a bit weaker but more agile with a better smoke screen and veterancy improves agility
* Brummbar, enough said USF: No non doctrinal unit like Brum Brum
* Stug, good AT gun USF: Well, nothing like it (closes thing is Jackson)
* Panther, enough said USF: Jackson, with the differences being already pointed out.
* Not even going to get into heavy tanks from Axis
So, Axis has better tanks, great infantry, USF is more versatile with it's abilities and weapon rack.
I'll say again: Except for the PErshing nerf and the cookie-cutter, "more in line with" BS, the balance is on point so far. Nothing stands out too much either being under or overpowered.
Axis has heavy tank destroyers (even more so with IS-2 being nerfed every time), Allies have heavy tank destroyers.
Axis has tank hunters and destroyers, Allies have tank hunters (like Easy Eight) and destroyers (like Jackson).
Neither faction has a "100% success tactic".
Final point for the balance. As an experimental physicist, working with data is part of my life so when you have so many variables that are processed in every discrete point in processing time, you'll have patches that one time buff, other times, nerf.
I think there exist 2 possible perfect balances. One where there is only one faction, and the other where you build a super computer that can give the "Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything" and it balances the game.