I don't normally comment about the state of units from factions I don't normally play, but I make an exception for the OKW bellowing cow. As a primary Brit player, playing mainly team games, I absolutely loathe this unit.
It really is a two click support weapon delete machine and on maps with bridges and tighter lanes, its an absolute nightmare.
But personal bias aside, lets put everything into context.
As Armadillo stated: Axis rocket arty is controlled and predictable, all allied arty is an RNG machine.
A very import distinction to add to this, is that Axis rocket arty is burst or alpha strike, unleashing all its firepower within a few seconds. All allied arty on the other hand is sustained fire, meaning the arty piece fires over few tens of seconds.
Burst nature of axis, means the arty piece can blow its load and quickly retreat, even able start moving before the arty is even revealed to the allied player. This gives no chance for counter arty action, leaving tank diving as the only possible counter option for allies. Allies don't have this luxury and their arty pieces have to sit in place with there arse in the breeze while they fire, providing axis the chance to counter fire (they even have it as an ability) or call in an offmap.
Case in point, the landmatress has to move up pretty close and has the longest firing duration, providing ample opportunity for Stuka or off map to end it all.
Burst fire also means that anything caught in the target zone is buggered and for support weapons with pack-up time and no retreat, pretty much a wipe. Sustained fire and RNG spread at least gives the opposing player a chance to react and do something. You may get wiped, you may not, but its something.
This all culminates in axis having rocket arty that is low risk and high reward (based on skill), while allies tend to be more higher risk, with uncertain reward.
Now to stuka ze fuss specifically, lets talk about the more egregious aspects of the unit as, in my opinion, it typifies the worst qualities of the game.
- Timing: Arguably the most powerful rocket arty unit but can be first to hit field - why should this be the case? A landmatress might be relatively cheap but at 8cp, its gonna be a while before it hits the field and its not nearly as impactful.
- High damage: Each rocket does a huge amount damage (200 per rocket), easily able to wipe squads and is the only rocket arty capable of severely damaging tanks.
- Choose the destruction: It always fires in a line and the player can choose the line of attack. This means you can always hit at least two (stationary) units with your strike, while with other arty's RNG spread you might not hit anything at all. The ability to select where it hits makes a huge difference, especially against defensive lines or retreat paths.
- Not that expensive: With such a powerful arty piece, one would think it would come with a premium price tag, yet its only slightly more expensive compared to other arty pieces.
- Low risk: Its range is not bad, can fire from relative safety, while not having to worry about FOG spread and burst fire means it can quickly retreat.
Talk about having your cake and eating it. A unit can be good a somethings, but it has to have some downsides too. Sure doesn't seem to be the case with this unit.
The effectiveness of the unit is just compounded with other abilities and units, like the easily spammed offmap flares and IR half track.
Relic talk how there should not be auto wipe machines / abilities so how is it that this incarnation of the Stuka ze fuss still exists?