If people are actually using conscripts to merge, I don't think that's a bad thing at all. That's, like, actual conscripts being used as intended.
It is not a bad thing, but compared to other faction that do not have marge make Penals even more powerful.
It also make the reinforcement cost (that come with the new cost) and time (that come with a later patch)increase that Penal received ,to counter weight, their strength a less effective measure.
Deflection damage on infantry AT is one of the major factors that limits most vehicle's staying power. Now that there's no volkschreck there isn't much of an axis equivalent. (Schrecks didn't bounce much anyway, which further compounded matters, but still.)
Difference of PTRS is that it has around 100% accuracy vs vehicles so it has guaranteed damaged which received a very significant buff in one of the last patch for no particular reason.
The change is even sort of reverted in the MOD:
PTRS (all variants)
We find that the long aim-time of the PTRS prevents it from performing its intended anti-vehicle role adequately. We are somewhat reducing the aiming time, while reducing deflection damage.
- Deflection damage reduced from 20 to 15
Relic Entertainment
cblanco ★ 
Heartless Jäger 
