Profile of Esxile

I think it safe to say that T-70 is more impactful than 222...

What are your backs for such claim.

Pioneers have had 42 sight since Relic themselves changed it as far back as in 2015 to promote combined arms play with their weapon teams. The Panzer Commander has also always given extra sight, it was just buffed a tiny bit (from 6 to 10 range) because no one ever used the upgrade. Self spotting has been gradually nerfed for most units over the last few years, most notably the Command Panther, snipers, Puma and AEC, Pathfinder and JLI weapon recrews, Pyro Sections, MG42 bunkers, Elefant with spotting scopes and spotting scopes themselves, the Tiger Ace and I guess you could count the sight bonus that Combined Arms used to give that was removed. Do I need to keep going?

From memories it wasn't anymore Relic who leads the balance when the bonus was added to pioneer.

Keep going and compare how many units each faction will field with superior vision. You reduced command panther vision but you're giving +10 to any other tank with an upgrade giving a true edge to those tanks over their opponents on the most populare doctrines. You've reduced spotting scope effect after how many request? 222 with scope is still there and I always see people upgrading scope on their tank when selecting the doctrine and as I said people abuse of smoke and vision strafe, and why wouldn't they?

Now compare to what USF get to extend their vision. M20, Pathfinder,M8, Major plane and since last patch major vet1. What's the most reliable way to get extended vision on the frontline, a major or a P4J?
If you believe Pathfinder is solely used because it synergize well with Scott, you're completely wrong. From what I've listed, Pathfinder remains the most durable unit to provide vision thanks to their camo. In a game where half of you're opponent's units can get vision bonus with a doctrine and your only option is a M20 or a Major already burdened with FRP, then you do the same, you pickup a doctrine giving half of your own units vision bonus too.

2vs2 OKW most selected commanders are
Breakthrough = vision bonus on mainline infantry
Elite armor = vision bonus on tanks
Overwatch = JLI
Grand offensive = extra vision on mainline infantry + smoke and vision strafe + extra vision on tanks

You act like the balance team removed bonus vision from what existed before but the only real removal was for the M42 bunker and JLI/path weapon crew. then more vision bonus were added to different units as upgrade.

As USF if you don't pick a doctrine with Pathfinder, on 2vs2, you're just fucked because not only you can't avoid your opponent defenses by lack of vision but also your opponent, he can predict you movement and get an edge on every fight because he has easier and better access to vision bonus through stock units and variety of abilities in various doctrines.

Left in the dust.


Judging by Sanders comments over the last time, I assume that the balance team wanted USF to have a late game arty option like the calliope but Relic vetoed that. I think balance team also took the wrong turn when they changed the Scott into a barrage unit instead of auto fire. USF lacks late game wipe options in team games, so they have to opt for higher damage over time.

On the other hand, I am not quite sure to which extend this problem really exists. I somehow have the feeling this mostly is a top100 or maybe top200 issue, but please correct me if I am wrong.
For arranged teams, I think USF will still be viable. The Soviet player or a UKF arty regiment player can make up for a lack of indirect. Or more likely: USF will go back to Calliope doctrines only. The recent patch has not really changed this strategy all that much, I am actually wondering what happened to the Calliope meta.

Arranged teams shouldn't be the alfa and omega for balance. The game shouldn't be balance primarily upon pre-determined combination of players because we see where we are today, with a faction that stand on one leg and people saying its fine because when its combined with another faction providing a second leg they can walk.

Balance team arguments about Relic denying stock Caliope is just an excuse, it didn't stop them to butcher USF late game, make Pakhowi and Scott irrelevant at the same time and later revert some of the nerf on the Scott.

If Path&Scott happen to be nerf again then we would see USF go down where it was before the strat came to light. With a balance team saying a mix between they can't do anything about it and its fine because arranged teams!!

Pathfinder CD is pretty much the same as riflemen building delay + time to effectively reach the battlefield. I don't know how you could increase it even more and call it balance.

Kind of, those Elite units need to vet up first to beat down Pathfinder with bars. Since Pathfinders vet pretty quickly compared to other squads fighting a Vet3 double Bar with say a PG ain't the best idea unless you catch them out of position. The increased damage along with the native crit chance can cause a otherwise decent engagement to go sideways.

It will be dependent on many parameters but nothing that says Path will win no matter what.