This concept does not work very much to compensate for the price of 300 mp Maxim and leave the presence of units on the map at the same level as he is (and I must say that Soviet is one of the worst for the factions), the price of Conscripts should be reduced to 200 mp. And this will create a bunch of problems: the productivity of the Draftee should be nerf to the Osttruppen level or the Osttruppen buff to the Conscripts? 200 mp Conscripts is also touched by the T1 balance. So this concept will destroy more than create.
Maxim problem:
Maxim must become normal HMG as others. Cheap maxim lead us to maxim spam, maxim without suppression lead us to SU without HMG. Every nation must have workable AI area denial tool. If maxim will get arc of fire like vickers, increased suppression with increased cost it will solve problem with maxim spam and with weak maxim. Better have workable HMG, than don't have it at all.
Penal-cons problem:
IMO cons must become MAINLINE infantry for SU, while penals become support units as pgrens for OST. Pgrens good support, they too expensive to use them as mainline infantry and don't have snares. Without shreck they are good Close-Mid AI unit, with shreck good AT unit. Penals should get the same treatment. It will solve problem when SU have 2 "possible" mainline infantry.
Cons problem:
Cons became prey of weak maxim, strong penals and point of view that they are support units. In fact, we first must decide what role cons have - support or mainline infantry? Let's look to possible decisions:
Support cons:
1. Cons become 200MP cheap unit with AT nades and molotovs (after upgrades / when building deployed). Cost of reinforce decreased to 15MP. Speed of reinforce the same as for osttrupen. Battle stats drastically decreased to level of osttruppen. Could build fasten sandbags.
Have toggle ability "AutoMerge" when active - automatically merging with nearby squad if cons have 3 or more mans. also have "Manual merge" that work as "old merge" - you could use the whole squad members to merging.
Move faster if nearby have allied infantry squad (except snipers). It will make merge more usable and will work like old sprint.
With T4 deployed will get 7th man and passive healing when stay in cover.
2. Maxim will get buff and increased cost and become good HMG.
3. Penals become mainline infantry. Renamed to Strelki. In start have 6 mosins. Could will get 1 of 2 upgrades:
1. 6 svt instead mosins and frag grenades
2. 4 ppsh, satchels
When T3 deployed could make global upgrade "Intensive training":
If have svt - when in cover will get bonus to defense.
If have ppsh - when in cover will get bonus to ROF (like UKF sappers).
Cons mainline:
1. Penals become support units - Close-combat AI / AT-hunters, IMO the best way 4 man squads to show them as support units (like engeeners). For close-combat - 3 ppsh + flame and satchels. For AT - 2 ptrs+AT-satchel and at-ability (critical shot like for brit sniper).
2. Maxim will get buff and increased cost and become good HMG.
3. Current cons (with 7th man in T3), i think cost should be slightly decreased to 220 to compensate expensive maxim.
In both variants we must have workable HMG, without it all changes don't work.