Improving stationary support weapons

Jump back to quoted post2 Feb 2016, 16:26 PMG4bb4_G4nd4lf

Stationary support weapons are kinda underused. Not only are they easily countered by off-map strikes and - if that wasn't enough - pretty expensive in terms of MP, the commanders aren't that great either.

So, how could relic improve their viability without actually buffing them?

Here's my idea:

Once you reach the needed CPs, your Pios/Engineers can build them WITHOUT crew for the MP cost of only the actual gun. That would be 360MP for one LeFH, for example.

The crew needs to be built at the HQ FIRST for the rest of the MP cost - 240MP in case of the ML-20/leFH. You can only have as many PAK43s/LeFHs/ML-20s as you have crews.

The crew can then operate the gun OR abandon it whenever you want (in case of an arty strike for example). The mechanic already exists ( see USF). You can't just re-crew them with, for example, Grens to abandon them again to get a free Gren squad. Only the buildable crew can re-crew those guns.

Stationary weapons could still be destroyed by Stuka Dive Bombs or Il-2 bombing runs instantly BUT (in case you saved the crew) your next howitzer will cost way less than they do ATM. And you keep the veterancy.

Whatcha think?

Jump back to quoted post3 Feb 2016, 06:14 AMNuclear Arbitor

if it could only be crewed with the special expensive squad it would be an overall nerf because you would have to build a new squad every time (new squads are expensive) and walk it to the howizter from you base (on 4v4 maps the howitzer is often closer to the center of the map).

Jump back to quoted post3 Feb 2016, 06:14 AMNuclear Arbitor

don't know if anyone has mentioned it yet but if the gun was built decrewed people would just crew it with a cheap squad and if it could only be crewed with the special expensive squad it would be an overall nerf because you would have to build a new squad every time (new squads are expensive) and walk it to the howizter from you base (on 4v4 maps the howitzer is often closer to the center of the map).

Jump back to quoted post3 Feb 2016, 15:45 PMG4bb4_G4nd4lf

The crews would be harder to wipe though (maybe even impossible to wipe vs good players) because you can just retreat them.

Moving that one squad from your base to the de-crewed gun shouldn't be that much of a challenge :/