You have popcap issues? What is causing that?
Enemy blobs. Usually have it only on OST. Only faction that makes me thing "oh no i cannot build that to counter it/them because then i don't have enough cap for this or that in the late game." Maybe i just have too big conservation of my own units...
I can never vouch for the Vickers, the MG42 is too beautiful. Only downside is the setup time but if you prepare for a fight you'd be fine.
At the point where MG42 stops to reload, you are still clicking enemy units onebyone to suppress them with vickers...
First time when i kill vickers with lone grenadier squad in green cover without upgrades, like you can with IS and even nearly with rifleman (rifleman can nearly kill 3 models before its suppressed)...
Personally I feel that mortars don't counter blobs, like ever.
It kills models, it usually manage to hit 1-3 times before they retreat from suppression.