Profile of ClassyDavid

Yeah Ostheer rifle grenade vs 4 men Ostheer squads. What could go wrong lol.

Not sure on the exact stats on the RE Rifle grenade but it isn't anything like the Grenadier rifle grenade. It does share the same animation and audio cue but has a slightly slower travel time, a timer, and does lower damage. Did you read my first post stating said things?

I honestly would prefer to just get rid of the assault engineers to make the half track cheaper. By the time it gets unlocked you have a officer and generally three or so Rifles. Other wise it is a fun, interesting commander now.

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The whole point I'm making this suggestion is due to some feeling USF needs to have more versified build aside from Rifles which I disagree with but if that's where USF is heading might as well encourage some changes to RE to help diversify USF in a way that makes RE more attractive.

And there is a trade with giving RE's a grenade launcher via that they can't use minesweepers or flamer and it takes a weapon slot. RE's currently aren't attractive in a combat role outside of flamers and bazooka's as while you can put BARs on them that's 120 munition on a unit that is less combat effective than Rifles which only cost 40 more MP to purchase and 3 more MP to reinforce (28).

The suggestion I've made is something Rifles can't do which is garrison clearing without using munitions every time and in a more unique way. I'd use RE's much more if they had this type of grenade launcher as Rifles wouldn't have access to it.

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Yes RE's don't have much combat power but you can still put one BAR on them if you feel the need to but the grenade launcher is meant to counter garrisons and unit in cover in a way Rifles can't do without spending munitions and having to get closer. They won't have much combat power but this is the trade off to have more utility.

I'd suggest this be a aim able ability as if they were auto fire they could target units you don't want to attack and it would require some type of micro as well. The timer is meant to make is easy to dodge for the enemy expect for units in garrisons thanks to the changes to unload and load. HMGs or Rakets would still take a hit from it before they could get out due to their set up time. The timer is meant to balance it to only be a one time purchase but remain effective against garrisons and cover units if they aren't paying attention.

If someone does spam RE's they would lack direct combat power even with one BAR as they give up a weapon slot for the grenade launcher.

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Well the whole point, as I stated in another post, is to make USF build more versified and in a non doctrinal way. If the grenade launcher costs munitions each time to use then it wouldn't be worth it as you might as well use the grenade from Rifles or the USF mortar. The point is to make them a mobile light fire support for your Rifles that doesn't munitions each time and fill a role that Rifles couldn't do already.

With all these changes for USF going around thought I'd add one that's been floating around in my head for a bit. Rear Echelon are getting changes that while helpful especially the volley fire ability which is finally useful and the grenade changes, they still lack a bit of utility that make them a useful addition outside of usual engineer duties or being bazooka carries.

To improve not only their utility but to add another option that would not only allow to encourage further diversifying of USF but to provide a unique, more mobile option of fire support early game. Generally the current USF build is simply Rifles into mortar then teching. What I'd suggest is giving the Rear Echelon a upgrade to use their grenade launcher, the same one used in the fighting position as a aim able ability

The balancing factor of such a thing would be it take up a weapon slot, its travel time, audio cue, and most importantly the fact of having a timer on impact. It'd purely be a fire support weapon that functions as a counter to garrisons in combination with supporting Rifles and being used as a soft counter to units in cover.

Suggested costs and stats

• 45 munitions available T0
  
• Takes up a weapon slot and replaces a RE carbine and is unable to use minesweeper or flame thrower
  
• Same range as the Grenadier Rifle Grenade
  
• (If aimable) Cool down: 15 seconds, veterancy reduces cool down once by five seconds
  

This would provide Rear Echelon a unique place compared to Rifles in a combat role as the ability to provide fire support for them and helping to counter garrisons. It also provides a unique take for a engineer unit to clear garrisons compared to a flamer and the flamer is still stronger albeit shorter range, doctrinal upgrade.

On garrison heavy maps it encourage players to go duel Rifles and dual RE's to support each other in taking down said garrisons. If it's a more open map they'll still provide mobile firepower for Rifles. After all Rifles are stronger in direct combat with superior stats and veterancy so it makes sense to go for Rifles instead of putting BARs on RE's.


Why remove USF mortar?

Hopefully with this change it would make up for removing the USF mortar as the whole reason the mortar was added was a) counter garrisons without spending munitions every time and at range b) to help diversify USF build early game. However the mortar didn't really achieve the latter. Players still go three Rifles and a mortar due to REs not possessing utility nor combat power. And I do want to state this is all for trying to diversify USF as the DBP is trying to accomplish.

The mortar didn't really diversify USF as simply more just another unit that is more of no brainer to tack onto USF. It isn't use as a smoke dispenser due it used more of a garrison and HMG counter. With REs and Officers receiving smoke grenades the USF mortar is in a odd place. It isn't bad, quite the contrary but it feels out of place. USF already have smoke grenades, Sherman's, scotts, and more smoke available.

The RE changes are meant to provide a new way to counter garrisons without using munitions every time, making RE more attractive with a unique non doctrinal upgrade, and to remove the USF mortar.

IIRC smith added that in the unofficial revamp that resulted from relic's abandonment of the last patch that was supposed to come out (fall balance patch I think?) if by "use their rifle grenade anywhere" you mean like it fires automatically and is not a muni based ability like the grenadiers'. I never actually got a chance to test it, but I think it'd be pretty cool and could be a well balanced solution to usf's chronic lack of decent (nay, functional) early-mid game non-doctrinal garrison clearance.

It should probably lock out at the very least one weapon slot though, and/or be mutually exclusive with sweepers. REs with a 1919 and automatic rifle nades could be a bit op. Just a bit.

I'd be fine with as be fair for it to take up a weapon slot. Should've added that in my post. Yes use it anywhere anytime as it's relatively easy to dodge given the time it travels and due to it having a timer. It could be a skill shot with a small cool down time that could reduce with veterancy or just be auto fire with attack ground. It'd counter MGs and with the garrison changes in DPB squads in garrisons. If used on a squad in cover they could just move back then move forward to dodge it.