Improving Counter-Play for Fuel Drops

I applaud Relic's recent move to add counter-play to mechanics that lacked it. It's a clear goal, and one that is essential to enjoyable competitive gameplay.

However, I do think that some of it could use some further enhancement, namely base fuel drops like in Lend Lease or Soviet Industry.

The Mechanic

Planes deliver the fuel, instead of automatic conversion.

Explanation: The counter-play added here is that the fuel is dropped by plane coming from the longest direction over the map, making it vulnerable to anti-aircraft weapons.

The Problem

Anti-aircraft weapons are hard to counter and don't require gameplay to use.

Explanation: The problem is that anti-aircraft mechanics are one of the game's weakest aspects. There is effectively nothing about it that requires player input. The counter-play is literally build an AA weapon and don't engage it in battle. OKW's abundance of AA weapons makes this especially easy and inevitable in team games.

The effort required by the Allied players to counter these AA weapons, and lack of ways to utilise the ability, means that using the ability is actually more about counter-counter-play, and one that feels heavily unrelated or detached. Bottom line: There's nothing fun involved.

The Solution(s)

Make it more like Supply Drop Zone, where it comes down to micro and not AA.

Explanation: Draw from the supply drop zone ability for inspiration. Whereas fuel drops can only happen in your base, supply drop zone can only happen on an applicable fuel/ammo point. These tend to be in contentious areas of the map by design. This means that there is a deliberate risk that the opponent may be able to use land units to steal that fuel (or ammo). These planes can't be shot down, so the counter-play comes down to the two sides fighting to pick up the fuel first (helped by the drop happening over an extended period of time). Making sure some sort of indication or notification of the drop is made noticeable by the opposing team, and you have well-crafted counter-play.

Because variety is the spice of life, you could potentially combine the two. Instead of limiting the fuel drop to the base, and making the plane direction always the same, allow the player to make the drop elsewhere on the map. This can make the plane direction variable to improve its chances, but at the cost of increasing the risk of the opposing team being able to steal the fuel once it is dropped.

Thoughts?

Well for starters, you might wanna consider making a Tl;DR version.

Updated to make the key points clearer.

The only problem with fuel drops is OKW getting free AA for normal tech without any additional side costs.

AA counterplay is alright, getting effective AA literally for free with just tech is not.

Removing the AA-capabilities of the Flak-Base is a must to reach the goal. Wasn't the AA already removed from the Base defences?

Removing the AA-capabilities of the Flak-Base is a must to reach the goal. Wasn't the AA already removed from the Base defences?

I don't believe so all the replays I've watched post patch still have 20mm AA guns in OKW bases.

Because Relic hates light vehicle harassment. (I'm joking)

Edit: Unless pre-December patch games are still working when watched in replays.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKlnjwzT1IruAZFb0EA-5pQ

I don't believe so all the replays I've watched post patch still have 20mm AA guns in OKW bases.

Because Relic hates light vehicle harassment. (I'm joking)

Edit: Unless pre-December patch games are still working when watched in replays.

The AA Guns aren't the problem as a base defence (Although I think they are a bit off since MGs are the way to go for the other factions) it's just that they shouldn't be able to target Planes.

The AA Guns aren't the problem as a base defence (Although I think they are a bit off since MGs are the way to go for the other factions) it's just that they shouldn't be able to target Planes.

Slightly off topic but they are a problem. They prevent allied players from really punishing OKW players who neglect early game AT. This means that a USF/Brit/USSR player is inherently disadvantaged as they only have a forward facing MG.

Seriously if the OKW faction - the faction with access to a Tier 0 AT gun, neglects their AT they deserve to be base raped at 7 min. But at the very least you are right. They shouldn't be able to target Aircraft.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKlnjwzT1IruAZFb0EA-5pQ

Hello.

I do agree on the OP. Sounds rather a good idea (plus the actuel drop require you to have a unit at base) and would spice up the ability. Maybe make it "give fuel for you if you get it" and "destroy the loadout without gaining anything" for the ennemy.

Kozo.

I'm all for dropping on fuel/ammo point instead of base. In fact it's a buff, since I don't need to retreat.

But if it's the case, allied supply drop should be also based on MP, not ammo.

And all planes should be fragile for AA units (remove schwerer and flak bases AA abilities)

the Axis supply drop is hard to counter. It flies in fro the short side and can drop off all the cargo before getting shot down. THe Allied supply drop flies in fro the opposite side of the map and gets demolished by AA. The Allied supply drop should come in from the friendly side of the map, just like the Axis one