- Panthers arent weak at all. New Ostheer player with better RoF is (and more accesible tier4) is more useful. OKW Panther is more acquirable thanks to its 185 fuel cost. I like both of them.
I would say that Panthers are quite viable in both 1v1 and 2v2 now.
My question is, why would anyone go for a Panzer IV now?
Panther is more survivable, stronger against enemy tanks, and can deal reliable damage to infantry as long as it has its pintle MG42 upgrade.
For the OKW it is especially bad, because it costs only 35 more fuel, for the WM you have the option of going for Ostwind, Sturmpanzer, or Panzerwerfer for anti-infantry duty.
Therefore, I propose that we improve the Panzer IV by making it more affordable (perhaps 110FU for WM version, 125FU for OKW variant) on-par with Allied medium tank offerings. Otherwise, buff its performance so that it stands out against all the other armor the faction has to offer.
For the WM, I would propose a fuel cost decrease to 110FU or 120FU. This would make it more affordable in the light of a much more expensive (but better) Panther, also it would make T3 even more well defined as a Tier with less expensive armor options.
For the OKW, due to the fact that OKW T4 armor are primarily anti-tank, I would propose a hull MG and coaxial MG buff, so that it would be more effective against infantry (similar to how the T-34/76 and T-34/85 were buffed). Perhaps use the Sdfkz. 234/2 Puma's co-axial MG?
Maybe make demos visible at range 10 if not in yellow or green cover, and targetable by anything that can see it. This would help with the worst abuses like demos in the open by a VP.
I favor this change over elchino's, this would truly eliminate the option of planting demos in the open. It would also be much more interesting for the player to find ways to hide their demolitions.
Minesweepers would still be effective though, since they automatically detect them at 30 range, regardless of cover. LoS still applies though, so you can use them to punish garrisoning effectively.