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They are too durable and not punchy enough to slap MORE durability on imo.
A single buffed shot won't replace TDs.
Yeah thats true. KV1s are very durable but not because of that doesnt mean they have a clear utility. We agree on that and IMHO raising its firepower is not the best solution, but only because i dont like linear solutions, in other words mixing only values of generalist attack/defense stats.
Other RTS show that there are ways around this problem and also provide good solutions to the lack of useability.
If a single buffed shot means a single buff for its main gun i would disagree, but i could see its max range increased with a slight pen increase, KV1 guns were good back in ww2, not the best since it was a late ww1 heavy tank.
If a single shot buff ability is another way to give it some use, i would really like to see some clever ability like "precise fire" that allows KV1 to fire on the move with good acc but decreasing its moveseed a little, like 20-30%. Its a good breaktrhough ability if implemented well.
Another solution is to give an active defensive ability, like Pz4G from VCoH (Tank becomes stationary and it has increased reload speed) along with a AI buff for the gun and on top of that an aura for nearby infantry. Basically KV1 becomes some sort of "bridge" to force out infantry primarly and use its durability to delay as much as possible armor, i repeat, delay instead of destroy. Maybe adding another +15% damage reduction during this ability to make KV1 a real tough notch.
Meanwhile kv1 soaks up damage there should be either a backup retreat plan or a full offensive scale assault, because a breakthrough play is like starting a fight and only fools start fights they know cant win.
The last resort i can imagine is to increase some passive features that make KV1 unique and maybe add some new ones along changing its Vet1 ability. If you could increase its damage reduction to 50 whopping % (30% more), but also reduce its HP only 25% (From 800HP to 600HP /1200EHP), its EHP will increase, it will give away less XP and increase a lot its repair time, it will still be a useless brick but this time its worth the throw as long as you dont loose it. Increased vision and the aura are good aditions.
Finally i like the idea to improve KV1, but not the dumb "buff because its useless" argument fashion. SU has many doc heavy tanks and its hard to make each one special on its own but its not impossible. If KV1 are meant to be brawlers like churchills (durability is similar but also firepower) then it will be just that, a churchill clone. I dont like that idea at all.
BTW i never said that KV1 would replace TD, haha that should have been someone else.