Profile of KilroyWasHere

Just do a simple 4 Conscript build with T2. Then let those Conscripts scale by dropping SVT's or rushing T4 for 7 men upgrade. Substitute the T70 with either a Guard squad, DshK or Quad.

Riskier option is a T1 build with double Shocks and double M-42 straight into T4. Needs a lot of skill to get enough value out of Penals and Shocks without bleeding needlessly. Also need very good M-42 usage to not get overrun by vehicles or tanks, always use camo for better rof and pen. If done well you can exert a lot of pressure without the need of a T70. Here's Kimbo doing it with varying results against a top 3 player: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqem7yAThx0

Thank god, finally a constructive post. So the T70 meta could really be broken through by Build order changes? Who would have guessed...

HelpingHans was a top 3 player and won a major 1v1 tournament. Not sure why you bring him up to support this proposed build of yours.

Not to support my build, just to remind you to think outside the box. And, as I've just said, T1 is not mandatory. Please feel free to alter that build as you see fit.

1 conscript with AT nades is not enough for AT and 2 penals aren't really enough for AI if you don't go for T70.

What I've been doing is a Tank Hunter build as follows:
2x cons, T1, sniper x2 penal or 3x penal if sniper is not a viable option (vs Ostruppen for example)

Save early munitions for Conscript PTRS upgrade as soon as you hit 2CP (1x early and 1x later or 2x early depending on how the game goes). The cammo ambush can really catch people off guard and insta kill any Panzer2s or Flame HTs.

Depending on how the game goes, a T70 might still be required though.

This might be a really MP heavy build, it might be a challenge to sustain 2 cons and 3 penals.
Anyway, my build does not have rely only on the cons At-nade. One extra penal with a ptrs upgrade might be a solution to that problem?

Have you ever considered why penal meta died?

(its because penals are not as great as some forum aryans want to make you think and people learned to hardcounter them badly).

Please keep in mind that this is not about penals or balance or anything. This is about discussing builds without the T70. This does not mean a mandatory T1 opening, that's just my post. Please feel free to propose alternatives.

Well ladies and gents,

I would like to propose an alternative to the T70 meta that has currently infected soviet play.

Now, please keep the following in mind before you answer:
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The path I propose is a T1 opening with 2 combat engineers and 1 conscript coming beforehand. This gives us an acceptable amount of map control before bringing out 2 penal squads. So much for the infantry foundation.

Now, afterwards I think either a sniper is in order (if you are noticing a support heavy build, e.g. Ost) or an M3 Halftrack. The M3 might actually be more viable if built right after T1 construction.

Next up is T3 and here (as th title says) I would go for a SU-76. Yes, the cyka. Since the penal opening gives this Tactic strong AI power, there's no need for an allround unit. The SU-76 is perfect to deal with every light vehicle on the field in the early/mid game. The cons using an AT grenade will support this way of playing.

Infantry Heavy opponent
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Then it is time to build T4 and get out either a T34 or a SU-85, depending on your overall advantage. I woud go for a T34 if you are ahead, since it's unlikely that your opponent will field a tank as fast as you. The SU-85 is more of a comeback option for me, if you are overwhelmed by an axis lategame tank.

To sum up the advantages and disadvantages of this approach:

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This is not supposed to be a complete build order guide and far from Popcap. Depending on the situation and enemy you encounter various other units from doctrines can be integrated.

Let's hear what the poeple of this forum have to say.