And that's why HMG34 isn't locked behind a specific tier, you just need to deploy whatever truck you want.
I am not sure what your argument is since you seem to be talking about faction desing, HMG42 and Vickers are not locked behind anything either.
The only point I have made so far is that m1 is cheaper than Pak, zis and P6 and thus a direct comparison not taking cost into account is rather misleading.
If you want to argue that HMG-34 is cost effective compared to other hmg go ahead.
Maybe it's not *BAD* in the same way that the HMG34 isn't *BAD*
But... if you had a choice between a PAK, ZIS, 6Pounder and USF AT gun, would you ever pick the USF AT gun? Maybe versus light vehicles? But against Pz4s, Panthers, Tigers, Brummbars etc, the USF AT gun leaves a lot to be desired.
And that is why the M1 ATG is cheaper than PAk, zis and 6p, but this thread is about hmgs and not ATGs.
I am surprised that people mention the USF mortar and do not mention the Penal battalions with flamer, ourah and low XP value that come in the same patch.
Having the smallest mainline Infantry Squad meant that Grenadiers were much more likely to be one-shot than other squads. But Mortars are much weaker now and I believe some of the squad AI changes still remain which prevent Grenadiers from clumping as much. As long as Grenadiers can survive, they are the best main infrantry group in the game as they scale the best out of all the factions. At Vet 3 and with an LMG; they are terminator squads at long range and if they happen to pick up another weapon with the LMG, they beat double-bar riflemen as the highest-dps main squad in the game. They don't flank as well as Riflemen with Bars but their long-range DPS is insane in the late game.
...
Ostheer mortar lost most of its power relatively to USF/Soviet.
In addition mortars are currently far better at dislodging HMG from garrison and thus HMG42 is currently weaker.
The changes made Ostheer support weapons play weaker not stronger.
1) Lower build time reinforcement time.
(actually standardize these values for categories from slower to faster
Support weapon
elite
mainline
auxiliary)
2) Lower cost have them start less powerful (2 st44 2 mp?) allow weapon upgrades. (2 Stg44 or +1+1 shreck?)
3) Allow them earlier access. This could be achieved by making t2 cheaper BP1 more expensive and (similar total cost) allowing t2 being built with PG only access, rest of units require BP1.
4) G43 upgrade now replaces all weapon, DPS adjusted. For Pgs it allow +1 model.
5) Remove sprint from camo (that goes for all unit.) Camo should be used for static ambush not for chasing enemy units.
6) Replace their vet 1 ability, with a ability increasing synergy with vehicles (timed DPS or durability buffed?)