I don't know how/why you guys say the ST had such a (clearly) better profile. The differences are quite slim and it's hard to predict the effects on a real match.
Raw differences are slim, but when you put into the perspective all the other facts about this units they are not slim what so ever.
Point in that this additional small range, adds up to the fact that no matter how or where your squad is placed and how models are spread out in cover, on direct hit it will wipe a squad in almost all cases.
Btw, since I dont have an excel installed, can you please make a graph with old ST AOE profile. And compare them to the new one and AVRE. Here are the stats:
AOE radius 8
AOE distance 0.25/1.5/8.
AOE damage 1/1/0.3
Same damage.
You shoot yourself in the foot with that argument, these properties fit the Sturmtiger theme. Drive forwards, fire the rocket and then go back. Because the ST cannot sit in combat because of its lower armor and getting therefore penned more often. Casemate, faster driving, armor, reload, all this suggests hit and run.
In coh2 hit and run themed vehicled are made so that they cant sustain much of a punishement and being vulnerable if they stay under direct fire or being focused on badly. Sure if AVRE had an armor of a medium, so you needed smoke and pre-planning when and where to attack, but its not. It has proper armor of a heavy tank and health aswell.
How is AVRE is vulnerable when its approaching the front line or being flanked by mediums. Its a hit and run heavy tank. Which can hit, bounce half of the shot, take few one, still have around ~600-700 HP, smoke a sigar and then run.
And its not like Allies in general dont have better long range TDs.