The possibility of loosing something "ridiculously quickly" doesn`t disqualify it from being an investment, look at financial markets :] I am just nitpicking here though, no offense intended.
None taken
But in a strategy game, investing in something big in the early game like a flamer should not normally disappear due to RNG.
I mean, how can you avoid getting you flamethrower blowing up? You can't.
Granted, if your flamethrower blew up in COH1, 9/10 times, your whole engie/pio squad will die. However, in the 1/10, your engie/pio retains the flamethrower.
I believe the same thing should happen here.