USF Tech Changes Mod Changelog

Hey everyone,

This is the preview log for a USF tech redesign.

Mod Rationale

Due to in-house data, tournament data, and player sentiment, it has become clear that USF is in need of a little bit of help within its tech structure.

The current USF tech choices of Lieutenant or Captain, and the units within these tiers is seen as an overly punishing and restrictive choice.

This mod is an attempt to address this issue with some simple and easy to implement changes.

We would like players to test this mod, and give their feedback. Once we feel the mod is in a strong position, it will be considered for integration either in the December update or in a future update.

Changes

These changes center around a new tier 1, tier 1.5, tier 2, and tier 2.5 system. Additionally, the AAHT and Stuart have been swapped to Captain and Lieutenant tiers respectively.

Tech and Unit Changes

Platoon Command Post

• Lieutenant can be requisitioned for 150/30; unlocks M2HB .50cal HMG Team.
  
• After the Lieutenant is dispatched, the structure can be upgraded for 50 manpower and 20 fuel to unlock M20 and Stuart
  

Lieutenant

• BAR removed; can be purchased for 60 munitions. BAR on an earlier LT was seen as too powerful.
  

Company Command Post

• Captain can be requsitioned for 150 manpower and 30 fuel; unlocks 57mm ATG
  
• After the Captain is dispatched, the structure can be upgraded for an additional 50 manpower and 20 fuel in order to unlock the Pack Howitzer and M15 AA HT.
  

Battalion Command Post

• Major available after one building is fully unlocked, or after two officers are deployed.
  

Units/Additional

M20

The m20 has received some adjustments, as it would have arrived even later, and been even less effective within this new tech structure.

• Manpower cost from 340 to 240
  
• M20 accuracy from 0.75/0.475/0.2 to 0.55/0.45/0.25
  
• Weapon accuracy increases with veterancy: +10%/+15%/+15%
  
• Veterancy requirements lowered from 880/1760/3520 to 500/1000/2000
  
• Veterancy 3 reduces time to plant mines by 5 seconds.
  
• Veterancy 3 increases stealth detection by 10; 35 stealth detection radius from 25
  

Grenade Unlock

Currently not an attractive choice for current cost.

• Fuel Cost from 25 to 15
  

Feedback

We would be particularly keen to get feedback on the following.

• Timings
  
• Costs
  
• Tier composition
  
• Overall attractiveness of this new system
  

Jump back to quoted post16 Nov 2018, 20:34 PMVipper

First we turn Soviets into USF by modeling Penal after Riflemen.
Then we tun OKW into USF by modeling VG after Riflemen.
Now we turn USF into OKW by restructuring their tech.

Can we change we make all faction the same and change the name of the game to Age of empires?

Jump back to quoted post16 Nov 2018, 20:40 PMTiger Baron

This is a simple question I ask people every time I read "BuT thEy ArE tOo SimiliAR!11!!"

Do you want a balanced game or do you want an asymmetric game, because you can't have both as time and time again has proven.
...

Jump back to quoted post16 Nov 2018, 20:49 PMVipper

That is simply incorrect. Each faction can have each own unique features and the game can be balanced.Star craft is prime example of that.

The problems started when units from faction A become clones of units of faction B without taking into account the unique design of each faction.

On the other hand this is simple matter of decision. It's all about weather we want an AOE type of game or not. If they answer is yes lets get patch where all faction become similar and lets start re-balancing. Else lets decide what each faction strong and weak should be and lets stop cloning units across factions.

Jump back to quoted post16 Nov 2018, 20:49 PMVipper

That is simply incorrect. Each faction can have each own unique features and the game can be balanced.Star craft is prime example of that.

The problems started when units from faction A become clones of units of faction B without taking into account the unique design of each faction.

On the other hand this is simple matter of decision. It's all about weather we want an AOE type of game or not. If they answer is yes lets get patch where all faction become similar and lets start re-balancing. Else lets decide what each faction strong and weak should be and lets stop cloning units across factions.

Jump back to quoted post16 Nov 2018, 21:20 PMTiger Baron

Oh yeah let's compare a 20 year old game design expert team to a game full of RNG and many unknowns as well as a team of community modders, brilliant.

Age of Empires's factions are literal copies of each other and still each play very differently, if you don't believe me then do some research or ask AoE pros and they'll tell you.

The same could be done in CoH, all Armies could be given the same basic tools and then branched out from there with different abilities, structures, units, stats and so forth, hell I have even suggested many such ideas before that incorporate all basic tools needed for a practical design yet being very different to another Army.

Jump back to quoted post16 Nov 2018, 21:32 PMLeOverlord

Lieutenant
BAR removed; can be purchased for 60 munitions. BAR on an earlier LT was seen as too powerful.

I don't see how a single BAR in this squad was too powerful.

Jump back to quoted post16 Nov 2018, 21:37 PMSander93

I'm also assuming (by the way the patchnotes are written) that the BAR on the LT is a unit upgrade and doesn't require weapon racks?

Jump back to quoted post16 Nov 2018, 21:35 PMJae For Jett

In most cases, it wasn't. But now the lieutenant squad itself is coming 50 manpower and (most significantly) 20 fuel earlier. The unit comes earlier, so we're bringing its power down as a cautionary measure. Additionally, LT will always have a natural leg up over CPT as long as the LT comes with a BAR and CPT comes with nothing. It's easier (and in my opinion, better design) to balance the two tiers if neither gets a free weapon over the other.

Jump back to quoted post16 Nov 2018, 21:39 PMLeOverlord

So, Lt will be getting a BAR via an upgrade (similar to other mainline infantry) or through weapon racks?