What good options do the soviets have in late game? I've been using the IS-2 recently and feel like it's like paying 640 MP and 230 fuel to throw the game.
The IS-2 doesn't hit infantry at all, it has a slow firing rate and usually can't even penetrate the other heavy tanks or the panther. It's super slow so a panther can easily just get behind it. It takes ages to repair, while OKW can repair it's tanks in no time. You need at least 2, preferably 3 combat engineers to repair the heavies effectively.
The T-34/85s are usually not affordable early enough if you go for a quick T-70. And the quick T-70 is a must 9/10 times since conscripts suck so hard and you need a shock unit. In most games, the T3 + T4 costs combined are too high just to get out a T-34/85. Also the T4 units (SU-76s or SU-85s) are usually out of the question since there's so many urban maps with too many shot blockers so going for an early T4 doesn't accomplish much.
Or how do you avoid getting into the late game without maxim spamming?