Its definitely a no brainer . but its still a weak cost ineffective upgrade. the bar for example offers a simalar dps increase close range but nearly 2.5 times dps long range. the g43 upgrade of the ostheer is nearly 50 % better at short range and somewhat cheaper
After OKW 3.0 revamp, it is very difficult to me to draw the line between OKW and OST. That is to say, what is the intended design for each faction. OST seems to have had, traditionally, better ways of dealing with infantry, whereas OKW's "too much AT" legacy, might make it easier for them to survive, if they make it to the late-game (with OKW's stronger vehicles).
With respect to USF, however, it is easy to see that USF infantry should be more cost-effective than OKW infantry, because OKW late-game vehicles are more cost-effective and way less micro-intensive than the USF paper-fleet.
By how much cost-effective? I don't know.
However, I won't lie to you. I believe that infantry veterancy seems completely unfair, ever since lolvet buffs have been instituted along the board.
- Before lolvet buffs, gren spam was OP, because of 1) their vet bonuses, 2) the fact that LMG42 is extremely cost effective 3) the fact that slot items confer way more DPS than default weapons, and 4) slot items transfer to surviving members (thus, that DPS difference survives squad members being killed)
- A better solution would have been to just nerf that aspect of grenadiers. Instead, the power-creep route was adopted, and now we have lolvet Conscripts and lolvet Riflemen.
If you read the infantry-related changes in Firespark's mod, this is the direction infantry and slot-item vet should be headed to:
https://www.coh2.org/topic/51037/firesparks-balance-mod
Pay attention to the Conscript/Volks slot-item gained through vet. As I mentioned, one of the worst artifacts of over-vetting is that all vet bonuses transfer to the slot-items all to well. Factions without access to slot weapons (Soviets and, previously, OKW), were left behind in the arms race.
Imo, the main reasons why wiping "terminator veterancy" will bring us closer to the sweet spot than giving "terminator veterancy" to all units are:
- It will make the impact of elite units more felt (elite units will have to face vetted base infantry on their first few engagements)
- It will make MG upgrades on tanks more relevant (tank MGs don't benefit from vet)
- It will be a step away from sniper-spam play (more received vet from everyone -> longer engagements -> sniper doesn't care about your received accuracy).