Profile of van Voort

My observation of the AI is that it doesn't build the things that most hard counter fixed defences (on map artillery); nor does it use the off map abilities that mess them up (Bombs, Barrages, etc)

As such PAK43s and the ilk are a lot better in comp stomp than versus meat opponents

1 My sig is basically a collection of vetlolcake insults


He was at least occasionally amusing

I'd say you're overrating shocks, and underrating guards and mark target.

I think Mark Target is awesome, that's why I think Partisans are relevant in the late game

But I do think right now that Shocks > Guards if only in team games

Shocks at least give you a chance against elite OKW infantry that Guards don't

Summary.

That's a lot of options, but many of them are duplicates and don't add anything new. Then there are others that are totally unique


Top Doctrines:

Shock Rifle

Shock Motor Disruption


Solid doctrines:

Mechanised Support

Lend lease

Counterattack

Guard Motor coordination


Solid Unconventional doctrines:

Urban Defence

Partisans


Ok in the right situation:

Combined Arms

Guard Motor Combined Arms



Marginal conventional doctrines:

Conscript Support

Armoured Assault

NKVD Rifle


Marginal unconventional doctrines:

Soviet Industry


Other commanders do this better:

Advanced Warfare (Guards Motor, Lend Lease)

Anti-Infantry
Soviet Shock Army Other shock doctrines
Terror



I can beat you no matter what commander I chose:

Defensive

Soviet Reserve

People think NKVD belongs here too, so that is really the message you send if someone sees it in your loadout

Now into the more rares and uncommons, which, fortunately, don't have the duplication the more vanilla options do.

This does not mean any of them are necessarily good, but at least they add variety

Soviet Reserve Army

Irregulars

This is the only commander with these, so if you want to tip your hand to your opponent about what commander you have and feel the urge for 4 man squads with an LMG they can barely use and grenades they can then go for it

PPSH

Consript Repair

Rapid Conscription

152mm Howitzer


Counterattack Rare

People love this, gives you shocks, recon and the B4s to fight Axis heavies

Shocks

Recon

For Mother Russia

Does what people think urrah! does in that it boosts combat and movement

B4-Howitzer

I don't really like this, but plenty of people do. It's too random as an artillery piece so usually gets employed as a really big AT Gun

KV-1

If you've played TOW you realise how scary this tank is in 1941

In the 1944-5 regular game though it's a tougher, more expensive T34 with slightly better AI that can't ram

This is NOT a heavy tank, don't try to use it as one



Urban Defence Rare

Not a common thing at all, but one of the things that can win a team game by itself, especially if the opposition have committed to unhelpful doctrines or don't know how to deal with it. It is rare enough that that is exactly what can happen

Forward Headquarters

Capstone ability for this is available at OCP.
Nothing else in this doctrine matters

Get this setup deep in enemy territory or at their cut off and ruin their day

It buffs, heals and reinforces friendly units around it, so enemies that try to attack and fight it head on bleed manpower and feed you vet

Most of the abilities that can kill it come later, but by then the damage is often done

Can be insanely scary on maps like Angermunde where they can leapfrog up a side

45mm AT Gun

Cute but cheap, and potent within the FHQ aura

Armoured Vehicle Detection

Booby trap territory

I feel this is too expensive for what it does

incendiary Artillery


Partisans Uncommon

Like FHQ, rare enough that people often don't expect them and can't deal with them. Used correctly will troll your opponent into razing every building on the map on general principle. Mark Target keeps vanilla armour relevant in the late game

Radio Intercept

Partisans

These lose a fair fight

Don't give the enemy a fair fight, harass team weapons, wounded units and artillery

Partisan tank hunters

As above, but to vehicles. Also excellent at outflanking and destroying bunkers


Spy Network

Less obvious recon

Mark Target


Soviet Industry Uncommon

Not Win-dustry anymore and a very hard commander to get right and co-ordinate with team mates. Often ends up starved of MP and swimming in munitions (so lay mines and charges EVERYWHERE)


Soviet Industry

Gives extra fuel income at expense of MP

Which means you don't need to build caches, except that your teammates will, so you get a bunch of fuel you cannot use, especially as you get close to pop cap

Repair Station

Teammates will appreciate these, but don't go overboard, lay mine instead

Vehicle Repair

You have the munitions to spare

KV-8

KV-2

This is not a heavy tank, its a mobile protected artillery piece. Use it to lock down whole areas and put some repair stations next to it, not to fight with