Profile of Cann0nBall

Considering the integral 4/6 survival handicap of Ost Support teams, it stands to reason they shouldbe "better" at performing their function, than the 6/6 Sov Support equivalents.

The survival handicap, perfectly reasonably and validly, needs to be somehow compensated for and reconciled, asymmetrically.

I understand all the statistics suggesting balance between these units, but how often on any map does a full health grenadier squad face off against a full health conscript squad at the exact same time, in the exact same cover, with both squads facing each other and not meandering around diving in and out of cover?

It can be a real struggle to get every squad member of a conscript squad (grens too to a lesser degree) to get into cover. Most of the time one or two individuals spill out into the open or run around no matter the object of cover. Most wrecks and vehicles usually provide enough cover for 5 squad members I've noticed. Most cover rarely is enough for more than two or three squad members at a time.

Balancing a game strictly around DPS does no one any favors. Diablo 3 is a wonderful/frightening example of this. CoH2 and its predecessor are both games with an exceptional level of depth beyond mere damage output and health. Most engagements involve some sort of movement towards cover, on the part of one or both players.

In my experience grenadier squads are much more capable of maneuvering in (and out) of cover than their soviet counterparts before suffering a casualty. I should stress that this is not a critique of the unit, but a highlight of how it is an exceptional factor in gameplay that's not strictly DPS balancing. Conscript squads by design are much riskier to move around under fire in terms of manpower for whatever reason: to dodge a grenade/mortar, towards a reinforcing/medic bunker or halftrack to reinforce, or to advance on an enemy position.

The need and ability for units to carry out these tasks are just as important to their damage output.