Skip to the bottom to hear my on-topic response
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And USF have fighting positions and hmg that easy accessible
And USF have T0 mortar that counter the T0 HMG.
USF mortar is almost identical to the Ostheer one, especially give the different squad sizes.
In addition they have the pack howi that is very power even more so with white phosphorous (combine with critical kill weapon for extra fan)
And grenadiers are locked behind T1 that does not come with free bazooka squad.
Actually plenty of competition especially given price episodically anything medium and bellow (if one uses AP rounds it counter mediums and AP )
Only that armor is not that superior.
Now compare them with assault grenadier that have the same price are doctrinal and CP 0 and you will find them OP
First, Id just like to address that OST T1 building Will a vast majority of the time be built as soon as the game starts, giving you access to mortars and grens, as well as snipers,
Which will counter AssEngies and any support squad.
FPs:
Squishy and the HMG doesnt do all that much damage/Supression. They're only meant for a deterrent, not to completely secure a point, and Echelon nade launchers are inaccurate as all buggery. If you're having problem with FPs, its not a balance issue. (Volks just drop fire nades, ISGs completely destroy it, Engi flamers destroy it). Not to mention, they're a stationary position, and can be built from the start, LIKE OST bunkers, and OST bunkers take a lot more to destroy.
USF mortars:
Do in fact have less range than OST mortars, and are less accurate, and OST Mortars have access to counter battery at veterancy. besides this, there is more value in a rifle squad than a mortar, and if mgs really do become a problem, an early grenade unlock is often preferable. (access to smoke and frags.)
The pack howie is not a viable answer to early MGs and will only become viable if you're teching captain first as well as being newly locked behind 2 upgrades (captain, then Command post unlock), And Phosphorous is Vet 1, which can either take a long time or a very short time, depending on how its positioned. in addition to this, assuming you've teched LT over captain, you will not likely see a howie until after a Major is on the field (LT+Major then Captain).
Grens:
LTs do
not come with a free zook, it cost 50 muni to upgrade, and seriously decreases the DPS of the squad. Whereas, Grens, 60 muni=one of the best weapons in the game. and incidentally Shreds Assault engineers. In addition to that, They have Faust which is basically a cheap snare with a reasonable range and will not be canceled even if the target leaves vision, and Rifle grenades that do superb amounts to units in cover-and support squads!
Armor:
Pardon me for laughing, but if you believe USF armor is superior to OST armor you're mental XD
However, disregard this to stay on topic.
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back on topic, As it I save stated previously, Its a race to whoever gets to cover first. assault engineers will almost always trade down if they are not in cover first, they are a rather squishy unit that has a pretty expensive reinforcement cost. Not to mention the rest of the commander is nothing overly amazing, and is rather average.
I do not believe in the slightest AssEngies are Overpowered, they are competetitve now which is what seems to be a problem for a lot of people. however I do agree that the MP cost should slightly be ramped up to 290 or 300 at MOST. Another fix is give the extra member to its vet 1 bonus, but reduce the requirements for vet 1.