Profile of VindicareX

So I think it's clear this thing performs worse (e.g. worse at suppression/dmg. Worse or equal traverse or set-up speed) than any other HMG across the factions. If this situation is wrong, can someone correct me and explain what "advantage" the MG34 has (for example, the Maxim has shorter arc than MG42 and worse suppression, but sets up quicker, has decent accuracy, and has 6-men) vs. the other HMGs? It seems to just be a strictly worse version of the MG42.
- I know it's slightly cheaper, but that really isn't enough of an "advantage." (imo, anyways...)

And if this situation is the case, why is this considered balanced? Is the larger firing arc (compared to .50 cal and Maxim) really enough to justify it's non-existent DPS? Where every other HMG in this game will start to lay-on the damage AND suppress decently while they're at it, the MG34 is such a non-threat that it really only works when the enemy AFK's in front of it OR don't know how to cover...

To me, it seems the MG34 is a waste of manpower better spent on Volks, Raks, Jaegers, Obers... literally anything.

Someone make some counter points please, I want to feel good about building this unit.

1.) IMO, conscripts are heavily reliant on cover when facing volks/grens. For this reason, I think it's better to rush your first 2 conscripts to critical locations (maybe an important building or heavy cover near a cutoff) and sit them there until something runs into them. I saw you just took the closest strategic points; and while certainly not bad, it can make using conscripts awkward since they are not great at pushing into anything in cover. Against OKW, I also go 3x cons - rush conscripts to battle, maybe build sandbags at VPs/enemy fuel, and ignore taking "my" territory, and build a 2nd CE and have the CEs backcap the line behind the battle.

2.) As tightrope said, Maxims just don't seem to be nearly as potent as they once were. Not only the momentum delay, but they arent even that good at dueling infantry (I feel they are easily flanked by wary opponents). They are decent as a backstop - but you generally don't want/need such a role until like mid game.

3.) By the time your maxim came out, OKW was already sitting in heavy cover/buildings at your cutoff - probably the worst situation for maxim. At that point, you were probably better off blobbing your conscripts for an assault with a mortar team (to clear buildings) instead of a maxim.

My build against OKW is basically 3x cons, 2x CEs (including default one), T2 (for prep for AT gun and it gives you some command points), and then SHOCK TROOPS. Depending on the fighting, these guys may not come out so fast and you might end up floating some MP. This is OK imo - shocks are nearly 400 MP anyways, you can get early hospital, and you will need an AT gun to follow up the shocks since, as you said, Luchs/Flak HT is popular meta. If the fighting is slow and I still don't have 2 CP, I will go mortar since I'm just so turned off by lackluster maxim performance early game. Shocks do very well vs basically every OKW squad, making them a superb infantry superiority fighters (compare this to OSTHEER, where LMG grens/HMG teams are prevalent and can laser these guys from far range - vs - OKW who tend to do better mid/close range - MG34 is also kinda bad and so not a great counter to shocks imo).

Me trying to fit into this new meta (dam I hate this flame halftrack rush)

GG

That's what happens when you have a game based on long-term strategy and tactics (avg game is 20+ minutes.... nevermind close games), but also have cheesy as fuck units/abilities that end the game in seconds.

Very frustrating.

and I would always take cal 50 over mg 34 every day it's faster more pen more damage more suppression

Same