Profile of general_gawain

Easy 8:
I just wonder why not playing around with a shell switch like we have it at 76mm and M4A3. Would be inline with AEF Sherman mechanics. Two E8s should be better at AI than M4A3/M36 combo if both loaded AI shells and better at AT if both loaded AT shells. They should be worse than M4A3/M36 combo if one E8 has AI shells activated and the other one AT shells. You are paying for a possible better performance in both sectors with the six seconds shell switch (that costs you a whole shooting cycle). So you have to play with foresight, you don't want to change in a middle of a fight. In addition you are paying for it with higher price of E8s of course.
At the E8 the shell switch could be a real choice. At M4A3 it isn't a real choice since you are using HE-shells about 90% of the time (AT performance of the M4A3 standard shell is rather weak and its use very situational to fend off an enemy tank with further AT support).

Greyhound:
As I said before I really would like to see a Vet1 recon mode or Vet1 flares to give it some mid to late game functionality. Just scrap dispensable canister shot ability to make place.

Raid Tactics
I like the change. But what about giving light vehicles/light tanks a 5-10 vision bonus while the ability is active? Would fit the doctrine and give someting more than just capping without having to decrew your tank/vehicle.

Recon Support:
I'm still missing an option to build/call-in Reserve Falls individually. Would give you way more versatility.

Mechanized:
Reverting combined arms nerf is appreciated. Still with the nerf to 76mm RoF and the removal of Dozer Blade at M4A3 I would advocate for Cromwell AoE at 76mm standard shells (= mini HE-shells). That way you really want to change between shells since AT shells are better now vs tanks already (because of recent standard shell RoF nerf) and standard shells would do something vs infantry in spite of the RoF nerf.

That is a myth. It is not the weapons but the effective HP of infatry that is different. That is why conscripts start 1.09 target size and grenadier with 0.91

What is about 6 man Guards, Shock Troops or 6 man weapon teams, they don't come with a higher target size (or have armor instead)?
In addition you see it a the roster units, the old Brummbar for example was always meant as a nondoctrinal way to kill multiple soldiers in one hit. PZIV is the generalis medium tank with highest OHK in the game, it would be stronger vs 4 man Grens than it is vs 6 man cons (more wipes). Some of this mechanisms got patched, some still remained somehow.

- AI performance? A lot worse than the flexibility you get with the normal Sherman. With MG upgrade okay. I think this is the long term deal breaker. Once late game units arrive, mediums usually transition more into an AI role. The EZ8 can't do that while having only "okay" AT for the phase.

Good analysis. This is the real problem, what to do with it when the big cats hit the field? 76mm has the same problem after nerf to RoF and nerf to combined arms RoF. It has the AoE profile of E8 while having more scatter. It fast RoF made it viable at AI while still not beeing at M4A3 level of course.

I really would like to see the AoE profile of Cromwell for both Shermans, this wouldn't change OHK ratio at all (nowhere close too PZIV or T34) but raise far damage and thus give some more consistent damage over multiple shots. It still would be far away from the performance of M4A3 HE-Shells.

What about E8 with 960 hp instead of 720???

That is an interesting approach. A smaller version of Panther with less armor and penetration but same health. Could work if its price hits the right spot, since it would be something unique in AEF roster.

Right? Could you imagine if it was also a free unit you get with tier 4 teching that has nondoctrinal fast off map artillery?
How brokenly OP that would be?

Free units are a myth that some kind of players always repeat. USF tech is balanced in itself around its own ressource consumption. You just can't directly compare factions. Its like claiming OKW would get a forward reinforcement point or an AA-Flak by teching for free whereas other factions have to pay for it. Just don't start this please.