In team game format (2vs2 to 4vs4), the allies factions were supposed to be stronger in the starting phase of the match and the Axis one where supposed to be better in the later phase.
With the new patch, is this paradigm still be valid ?
This paradigm is not valid for something like 2 years now. That was the time when relic released patch notes containing changes to early and late game and a justification note saying that they want to end with it so that all factions could be good in all stages of the game.
That PTRS drop rate seems stupidly high, penals will be PTRS batteries for Axis players to farm, with their nerfed received accuracy
Axis "elite" units are very expensive and rely on having a lot of firepower on every team memember. So picking the better ptrs is not worth it. Picking the crappy version is even worse since it is so bad, any axis stock rifle is better. The only axis unit I can imagine picking up the PTRS now is pios and that is also doubtful as they got the dps buff.