To improve not only their utility but to add another option that would not only allow to encourage further diversifying of USF but to provide a unique, more mobile option of fire support early game. Generally the current USF build is simply Rifles into mortar then teching. What I'd suggest is giving the Rear Echelon a upgrade to use their grenade launcher, the same one used in the fighting position as a aim able ability
The balancing factor of such a thing would be it take up a weapon slot, its travel time, audio cue, and most importantly the fact of having a timer on impact. It'd purely be a fire support weapon that functions as a counter to garrisons in combination with supporting Rifles and being used as a soft counter to units in cover.
Suggested costs and stats
- 45 munitions available T0
- Takes up a weapon slot and replaces a RE carbine and is unable to use minesweeper or flame thrower
- Same range as the Grenadier Rifle Grenade
- (If aimable) Cool down: 15 seconds, veterancy reduces cool down once by five seconds
This would provide Rear Echelon a unique place compared to Rifles in a combat role as the ability to provide fire support for them and helping to counter garrisons. It also provides a unique take for a engineer unit to clear garrisons compared to a flamer and the flamer is still stronger albeit shorter range, doctrinal upgrade.
On garrison heavy maps it encourage players to go duel Rifles and dual RE's to support each other in taking down said garrisons. If it's a more open map they'll still provide mobile firepower for Rifles. After all Rifles are stronger in direct combat with superior stats and veterancy so it makes sense to go for Rifles instead of putting BARs on RE's.
Why remove USF mortar?
Hopefully with this change it would make up for removing the USF mortar as the whole reason the mortar was added was a) counter garrisons without spending munitions every time and at range b) to help diversify USF build early game. However the mortar didn't really achieve the latter. Players still go three Rifles and a mortar due to REs not possessing utility nor combat power. And I do want to state this is all for trying to diversify USF as the DBP is trying to accomplish.
The mortar didn't really diversify USF as simply more just another unit that is more of no brainer to tack onto USF. It isn't use as a smoke dispenser due it used more of a garrison and HMG counter. With REs and Officers receiving smoke grenades the USF mortar is in a odd place. It isn't bad, quite the contrary but it feels out of place. USF already have smoke grenades, Sherman's, scotts, and more smoke available.
The RE changes are meant to provide a new way to counter garrisons without using munitions every time, making RE more attractive with a unique non doctrinal upgrade, and to remove the USF mortar.