Hi guys,
First I would like to say that since balance preview release I played both multiplayer (1v1, 2v2 3v3) and vs AI game modes, with all factions and probably most games with OKW (two reasons for that: 1. my favourite faction 2. most important changes involved) and I would like to share with you my opinion on what I experienced.
Soviets suffered good changes, they overall fell stronger now, the only concern is that penal batalion will be the only base infantry that we will probably see if changes go live as they are now.
USF suffered also good changes, the only thing that feel strange is that Mg doesn't come in the same time with the mortar, this being a sensible combo and a starting variant: instead starting with rifle / RE spam you should have the possibility to chose an mg / mortar combo start.
UKF doesn't feel to different at least in my opinion.
Ostheer feels verry weak, the changes doesn't help to much. I realy think that the fifth grenadier is needed in the squad - it should be implemented as an upgrade from T2 or T3 I guess. The grenadiers are virtualy the link between all other OH units that keep the army together. Even if you have cheaper teching, vehicles or upgrades, if the binder it's not resilient, you will have a weak army.
But what concerns me the most is OKW changes.
In my opinion OKW feels weaker and it's not just because adaptation. It's about their AI and AT solutions in middle game.
Let me explain. What we have now is a strong AI squad (SPs) that get even stronger through the game and rewards the player if preserved and vetted. A weak/so-so AI squad that can be turned into a decent AT squad and if blobbed into a letal AT squad. Of course it's about Volks. So both units are going to achieve their max potential in late game, which is kinda normal.
Now, in balance preview mode we have a potent AI squad (SPs) that suddenly changes its role and becomes a so-so AT squad by getting a shreck and a meh AI squad (remember the changes to shreck and bazooka! 25% damage on infantry targets). SPs are more expensive and less resilient than volks. So in late game their AT role will fade, because of the features mentioned earlier and because they have to face more powerfull guns (for example, a T70 gun doesn't compete with a T34 gun).
On the other hand we have a weak/so-so AI squad that can be turned no more into an AT squad, but into a mediocre AI squad by getting two STGs.
Conclusion: in middle - late game, we will have some weird mix of mediocre infantry that doesn't excell at anything, and can be easily wiped.
Related to AT solution, let me tell you what I think is a good AT:
- it needs to have staying power (resilience) in order to fight
- it needs to have range
- it needs to do an important amount of damage against vehicles.
Unfortunately, raketen doens't fit to these fatures. It has no staying power - it needs to constantly run back to base or get decrewed. What good is an AT unit that shoots one time and then it has to run? Or that is easily decrewed by its verry own pray?
Sturms are not deadly (they have only one shreck, compared to pzgrens that has 4 models also, BUT they have 2 shrecks) and can get wiped pretty quick. Not even a combo between these 2 units can offer a proper AT solution, I didn't felt that.
So I thought to some solutions:
1. Increase raketen crew's durability and buff its damage for just a bit. Effects: OKW will have an AT solution that has staying power on the field and can make it trough the game.
2. This one is older, and others have presented it to in the same form or a little different but I will write it anyway: Remove shreck from SPs and let them with their AI role, create a Tank hunters squad that cost 380 MP has 4 men and is buildale from medic HQ. Thw squad comes with a default shreck. At vet 2 it
has "specialized aim" ability that costs 25 amo, lasts for 30 seconds and increases accuracy with 30%. Effects: SPs will keep their AI role and OKW player may chose between 2 starts, medic hq or mechanized hq, chosing as light AT solutions pumas or tank hunters.
Please let me know what you think and thank you in advance for your imput!
_Hiena_
xingyuguan
Relic Entertainment
