popular by what standard starcraft popluar. before this the expainsion pack crazy shit they pulled split communitys and ruined competitive play. coh1 alteast did it right in that it didn't split the community to a separate ladder. (though there were balance problems they had to fix.)
you can avoid them rather easily they cot 320 manpower so they aren't cheap and as the game goes on you get tech there usefulness goes away pretty fast. (I fell victim to that the first time using them.)
if the assault gens are the ones that cost 320 manpower. so don't let them get close to your infantry (conscripts) use half tracks or other things besides conscripts to face them. basically don't let them pick off your squads with there mp40s or paralyse nades.
this is my experience from using ive never faced them and it was in a 2v2.
if they fix the retard mg gunners unit will be more helpful.
that the mg gunner quite often just stares blankly at the enemy while they charge him. (never mind firing the MG because Fuck that.) i think its a bug. but either way it would definitly make the mg more effective.
i see 2 uses for this the ultimate finishing move, for when you want to humiliate your opponent. last minute save in its current state unless they change it so you can eventually start getting resources again.
from the data it seems to fill the same role as a king tiger.