This strikes me as odd, why would you need convincing that 12 strat points should be changed, when it really should be "why change the 10 strat points every other map has".
I've listed before why the 12 strat points mess with many balance factors (teching, nades/upgrades and snowballing), and removing 2 strat points on this map is very minor (the strat points near the muni points come to mind).
Basicly, I am asking what groundbreaking perspective there is to keep 12 strat points, how does it improve balance and this map?
I have to agree with Zarok.
I think part of the reason OKW got around 85% win rate on this map during GCS was the extra strat points allowed them to get a luchs out even faster and also snowball into a late game where they are virtually unbeatable (at least on paper).
No other faction benefits as much as OKW from increase resource income.
Brits getting the AEC is normally more about conserving manpower.
Ost only get a 222 which isnt exactly OP, or the halftrack which is again not really expensive in terms of fuel or even really in muni. And again manpower is the greater limiting factor in their teching/getting of vehicles.
USF can go for an early Stuart but because its no longer that good against infantry its okay, plus OST and OKW have access to some of the best AT by that stage (Pak 40, raketten, faust, puma and even luchs can be a big problem for the Stuart).
Soviets will always get the T-70 later than the Luchs. Once the luchs is out, their progress towards getting the T-70 out is massively hampered by the luchs, again allowing more time for OKW to snowball.
OKW, on the other hand, can easily build up enough manpower to use the extra fuel to accelerate the luchs acquisition.