I enjoy the variety in openings now but still not sure the mortar was the right unit. I also think since they now have the mortar, riflemen should lose their smoke grenades. Smoke should be given to the rangers instead. Smoke doesn't make sense on baseline inf. It was only acceptable on USF since they lacked means of taking on mgs which is no longer the case.
Pretty sure there's as much chance of that as Infantry Sections losing their cover bonus, or Conscripts losing Oorah!, or Grenadiers losing their Rifle Grenade. It's their thing. Suggesting its cost be nerfed or something like that could happen if necessary, but I doubt they'll say Rifle smoke spam is as bad for gameplay as Volk Schreck blobs and gut that too.