Profile of Bulgakov

TLDR: Callins have become the meta, and have completely circumvented and made redundant the core tech/tier progression that is such a large core part of the game, and also which defines the factions. They are much more cost efficient AND stat superior to tier units, which has resulted in them REPLACING tiering, rather than adding variety to what is available through tiering. Finally, due to the above, non-callin Commanders have been marginalised, because though their abilities are an awesome source of diversity and options, they simply cannot compete with their normal tier units, against the cost efficiency and performance of callin Commanders.

I think there is another possible reason for people ignoring later tiers (although clearly they are able to do so because of late-game call-ins)

For Soviets it's this:
The Axis counters to loads of infantry / snipers = vehicles.
Soviets have a T2 counter to vehicles if they go T2 (AT gun) and a call-in counter to vehicles if they go T1 (guards)


This means that the hard counters to the STALL-TIL-ISU strategy become only soft counters. You just can't punish a 25-minute T2 strategy with tanks because they can field AT. If AT was at T3 (like amis in coh1), soviets would be forced to go T3. And if guards didn't have "button" (seriously, how could this affect a tank reversing? If you sit back and think about it...), then T1/T2 strats would be punishable with PIVs and pumas.

Unfortunately it's just not that punishable to spend 20 minutes with only T0-T1/T2 units.

TLDR
I think moving soviet AT to T3, increasing CP of mega-call-ins and removing button but increasing penetration of PTRS would massively change the meta, without tying call-ins to tiers.

Elite Riflemen:
The main issue with this ability is that it invalidates all other commanders for the Americans, especially given the strength of the doctrine itself. I don't think the problem is with the doctrine, but rather that the other doctrines are a bit too weak by comparison.

Also, can we get a pack howitzer buff? The Americans are in desperate need of something to break MG spam.


Soviet Weapon Team:
If you're going to do this, please don't make this a flat-out nerf. Maxim spam is a response to Oberkommando, because it is effective at early game map control if the OKW player mis-micro's and can't use grenades on his volks or flank with Sturmpios. I am okay with the change because it promotes the use of actual infantry, but if that's the intended goal, then please buff conscripts or penals because they don't really stand a chance against OKW infantry; without a buff, the only infantry that will really be used are doctrinal infantry, which will make the majority of Soviet commanders even more worthless than they already are. I understand wanting to make these weapon teams mortal, but Soviet infantry are already weak enough in my opinion.

Long Range Lethality:
This is an interesting subject. On the one hand, Obersoldaten are near impossible to beat with other infantry, but on the other hand, if long range damage gets nerfed then the blobs of riflemen or bumrushing Sturmpioneers will become even more difficult to deal with. I feel like this issue needs to be looked at in a more precise unit-to-unit basis rather than as a whole subject.

Elite rifle doc
Maxim spam is a response to Oberkommando, because it is effective at early game map control
Perhaps the other commanders are a little weak but anyway this one is pretty damn strong. EZ is currently overpowered and spoiling a lot of games.

Maxim spam:
"Maxim spam is a response to Oberkommando, because it is effective at early game map control"

It is TOO effective for early game map control. And it has been abused before OKW. It's effective vs a lot of things. Have you played against Maxim spam much? Do you know how boring CoH2 can be with 5 Maxims on the field?

Pack Howitzer Buff:
Currently it seems to be performing well. Perhaps a price descrease rather than a buff? Same for OKW inf gun...

Long range lethality:

I think it will reduce the effectiveness of rifleman blobs. Theier ability to kill well at all ranges is why they're being used this way. Although tbh USF doesn't have a lot of options for the first half of the game other than riflerifleriflerifle.


And Sturmpioneers may be strong, but they're 9popcap and high upkeep. They're expensive to OKW for every second they are on the field.

Sweet, I had the same thought the other day for an American commander. KT or Tiger call-in would be fun for allies ()

Would something like this work with balance I wonder.

Keeping the faction "unique" by not adding at least one heavy tank is silly. Relic would be foolish to ignore the most demanded unit currently.

Yeah, they should release the $3.99 Pershing Commander where every CP you get a Pershing on a pershing with a spamshing and another spamshing with fried eggs sausage and spamshing spamshing on toast, spam spam and toast spam eggs and spam.



On the other hand, it'd be nice to have the Pershing option but they'd need to redisgn the whole faction in order to put it in. Imagine US with early/mid game dominance and then a Pershing at the end with Eggs and Spamshing.

Biggest problem is the HE AOE of the ISU to kill infantry.

From a stats on paper perspective - ISU and elephant toe to toe is a pretty even matchup
-Same range
-Similar damage
-Elephant has more armor, and a little faster reload

I like the idea of a switchable ammo option for ISU, perhaps both units. Thats what they did in real battles. Load an HE round, Load an AP round, etc. Then again we aren't exactly playing a real combat sim either lol.

Would be an improvement. Shouldn't the ele have HE rounds too then?