The problem is that a straight nerf to the scout car leaves it in a bad place. I can only be used to counter kubels if that is the case. Without the ability to push off infantry quick with flames its role in the early game is gone. Buff it, remove ability to transport troops.
Except it can push off stationery infantry with flames. It will still be a good counter (well even better but you get my point) for early game MG's, garrisons, and cover huggers like it's supposed to be. The change just offers some kind of counter play (namely moving and microing your stuff).
Going T2 delays T3, going T3 directly means giving up field presence to OKW and possibly getting to the field at about the same time as the puma.
Going T3 directly isn't a bad choice at all, especially with guards to support which can ward off Puma's. There really isn't a downside that huge to picking T1 or T2 as Soviets against OKW. Ostheer yeah, OKW no.
but nerfing T1 means it will be marginalized. Already Penals are borderline poor, Snipers are not as good as German version (except two man squads), and now scout car will be more useless.
Flamers will do
more damage, I fail to see how that's a nerf. And when paired against OKW does the sniper's quality against the Ost sniper really matter? And as I said before, the improved performance of flamers against things they are supposed to fight will be a buff, not a nerf.
Also base defenses of OKW do a fine job. Please post a video of Guards ROFL stomping the flaks. If I am decrewing someone's flaks the game has ended long ago. The ability of the base defense rounds to penetrate armor should not be ignored. It prevents T70's from chasing anything near the OKW base, but OKW does not have this problem on Allied bases with the Luchs. Their ability to shoot down planes, however marginal, is just poor design. Base defenses should not contribute to a players overall strategy.
OKW base defenses have a squad of 2 men, they require 2 men to function. You literally only need to kill 1 dude and it will decrew itself. It also can't shoot down planes anymore, a change that was implemented a very long time ago. Also were did you get guards from? I specifically said Quad.
Yes it's ability to fuck with light armor is nice but I would prefer
not having my base defenses sniped and killed 7 minutes into the game. Then recrewed by cons supported by a Quad
EDIT: Can we stop it with the whole "THIS IS NOW USELESS FUCK EVERYTHING" theories before anything has even been tested.