People like Liene forest but the initial rush to garrison the western city is a game decider too often.
I have never seen forces rape northern base. The south base always gets raped. That can't be correct balance.
At the same time, investing all your fuel in panzerwerfers or calliopes, etc, may not be a move you want to make if your opponent is making an army of Jacksons or pumas.
Risking counterplay is indeed risk.
Buying werfer and calliope is not counterplay to jackson / puma.
Not sure about 222's planting riegels. 222 is already a default build choice for OH, this commander ability risks pushing the halftrack even futher out as a choice during gameplay.
I.e. this makes halftrack even more unattractive?
On the other hand, mine-laying 222 is definitely attractive.