I kinda see where you're coming from, which allows me to disagree. Increasing su76 AT damage doesn't make it too similar to an su85. That logic is like saying that the stug is similar to a JP. Just because SU76 and SU85 are in the same faction, doesn't mean that they're too similar, or will be too similar if their performance is tweaked. They are distinct, and at the same time, the Su76 is currently a bit weak at AT.
I can't fully follow you on this one. Both vehicles being in the same faction is a huge difference. Unit overlap has been an issue for ages. I don't want to stroll too far off topic, but we could/can still see it with USF Sherman variants that often do similar things. For two functionally similar units, there must be a decent performance gap to justify having both (like the T34 variants). Even an upgrade on the StuG would keep it distinct from the Panther. If the JP4 were in the same faction, we'd create more overlap though. And this is what in my opinion would happen to the SU76/SU85.
If the Su76 is meant to be a flanking unit, but is casemate, then it should perform like one (agility, speed etc). If its meant to remain static mainly and fire into the enemy's front armour, then it needs better damage to be relevant.
edit: for example, I think even a luchs could rush a su76, get behind it and take it out. I can see a 222 doing the same. That makes it a weak AT unit.
I agree that the current SU76 is kind of bad, but as I said not because of its stats.
This is my way of thinking about the SU76's AT performance:
Compared to other LVs at the time as well as the units it is supposed to counter (LVs and OST T3), the stats are alright. There might be some tweaking here and there, but overall it is doing okay. Buffing the SU76, which I'd term an overall decently balanced unit regarding cost and performance, could therefore be dangerous. Another reason that could justify a buff are special circumstances within the faction. But do Soviets have these special circumstances? Do they really lack means to deal with (Ostheer) mediums? They have the SU85 that does that just fine. T2 builds have the ZiS, T1 builds a back tech or to some extend at least PTRS. Soviets do not have an issue with mediums, mostly because the ZiS and the SU85 do just fine. Buffing the SU76 against mediums will overlap with the SU85. So unless the SU85 gets a new place, a buff to the SU76 is probably a bad idea. With CoH3 (and even AoE4) on the horizon, Relic will surely cease support for CoH2 soon, and reworking both TDs is risky and might need another 2 patches.
Which type of buff would you suggest for the SU76 then?
- Mobility? Will set it apart from the SU85 for sure. Overall I'd assume it will be hard to do because the SU76 is a casemate. I assume this will also scale very differently depending on the mode, but that's a general issue with casemates.
- Damage to I assume 160? This will make it a supreme choice over the SU85 for mediums. The only way I could see this happening is an unlock for the SU76 at T4 which also costs fuel. However, this increases overlap of both units.
- Penetration? Helps mostly against OKW. Again increases overlap to the SU85.
- Timing? Not a big fan personally. This does not change the fact that Soviets to not need an AT vehicle early on. If there is no need to build it early and the ZiS/SU85 cover your late game, no amount of timing changes will do well enough for this unit.
To make it short: I don't think AT capabilities will really fix the issue. Current Soviets need AI when T3 is build, so the only way to make any unit worth building at this time point is by giving it AI. Which is why I'd like it to behave like a mini Stug E. Or at least lower the cost of the barrage or something.