I'm still trying to figure out how a Soviet player, with Conscripts, Maxims, mortars, and the ZiS in T2 is not overpowered, but an Ostheer player with access to Grenadiers, MG42s, mortars, and the PaK is clearly imbalanced.
And you forgot Sniper, LMG42 and faust. One cost 80mp and 10f vs 160mp and 50f. I'm not sure but also time to build is different. To further add, you get extra initial mp as OH to fight the presence early on of conscripts opening (not tiered openings)
If i don't need to get T2 cause i've an AT gun at T1, i'll just go either T1 into T3 or T4 directly skipping neccesary tech which would put me further ahead in both fuel and mp wise in teching race. (As they have swap cost from BP into buildings).
People who advocate for this, are just people who either can't bait/kite/hold with faust, miss timing to tech T2 and overcommit to heavy T1.
1- You don't need a pak to counter clowncar (solid Gren + MG play shut it down)
2- M20 arrives by the same time you can field a 222 and no one get's surprised by the AA HT
3- No flamer, no mines, no molotovs > M5 rush. If you see a flamer, get a teller. No mine detector.
4- Every single brit is playing with a flame bren carrier till they nerf it. Cause they know they'll get owned by sniper play. BE ON POINT with your 222 and they have at most 30-60s to do damage. Kite with faust and MG.