So, UKF pay 295 fuel to get a cromwell while having 5 man tommy with bren and nade. OKW pay 15 more fuel and get a better tank, balanced?
Thing is, delaying your tech to guaranteed win any infantry combat up to elite infantry generally translates into more field control which translates into quicker armour. If 5 men Tommies were not worth their weight in fuel it won't be Meta.
I mean, a one time cost to improve ALL of your stock infantry by 25% is HUGE.
Especially when you consider that stock Tommies are already as durable as panzer grens (which is more durable than Sturmpios, without the need to close btw) and hit like a truck to begin with.
Its kinds the 1 time thing that makes it so strong (keep in mind Soviet can 1 man up and it costs a weapon slot and requires the squads only weapon slot, or Ost can get an extra model at the cost of the lmg42... UKFs price is... Delay armour... On paper?)
An upgrade that isn't a matter of if but when isn't a well designed upgrade. If the only thought you need to out into it is "do I want a massive power spike now or later" perhaps the upgrade is too strong.
Not to sound old here but *waver old person voice* I remember when getting an upgrade meant you forfeit something, an lmg meant you lose mobility and close range firepower, getting an smg meant losing long range power in favor of mobility... And even now EFA follow that line of thinking with THEIR +1man designs. I guess it's a progression of design... EFA design being "care even slightly about the gameplay" while WFA design is "stack so much firepower that you can blob your way to victory" 5 man squads everywhere... Fire on the move automatics handed to everyone.... Blob healing effeciency +500%... Forward retreats so getting your blob out of danger doesn't hurt as much....
Pay to win. First in money when the faction drops, then in resources to elevate your floor beyond the enemies ceiling. Throw resources, out bleed, retreat, repeat. I mean.... Tommies, despite being more durable and more expensive are cheaper per man than grens. Why? Because fuck you that's why.