you guys are missing the point here, with mp44's they are more effective. They can still ambush very well with mp44's, but also can engage at mid- long range with them compared to mp40's. mp44's gives them more versatility
I think you are missing the point.
They were given MP40s, because they are -not meant to- engage at mid-long range, because the squad was reworked into CQC ambusher, which also made it its own distinct squad that didn't overlapped with PGs.
Only if you're smart enough to think about it and say it. Though I suppose that actually is technically distinct from the question as it's demanding an upgrade be mutually exclusive while not taking up a weapon slot and flamer or sweeper both take a slot.
Sweeper doesn't take weapon slot, at the very least not RET sweeper as you can have it and 2 zooks, so its possible to have an exclusive upgrade that doesn't take weapon slot. Its just a matter of setting the same flag for alternative.
However, if 7th man didn't took weapon slot, we might end up with 7 man con squads with Vickers K, they could potentially be uncontested when it comes to attrition.
A meaningful rate of fire buff(again, 5 to 15% DPS increase) would be sufficient for their late game scaling.
I don't know how the thing's actually programmed, but it'd strike me as odd if a squad upgrade simply can't be made to lock out other upgrades. It should just be like UKF's Hammer vs. Anvil.
I think engineer flamer and sweeper is better comparison.
I really don't see how giving STG Obers passive camouflage is adding unnecessary complexity. It's not an ability you activate, and if anything it's adding consistency to the game by applying the same theme to them as other elite CQC infantry who get camouflage and or smoke grenades. It makes less sense that they do not get either while all others do. Even PGrens are getting smoke nades.
See, that is the problem, you think StG obers are CQC unit.
They are not.
They are all-range units, cocaine powered falls/bar rifles.
IMO it would be better to give them shared veterancy when they get the minesweeper, so they can actually get vet while doing their job (supporting other units).
That would be nice.
Flamer engies always reach vet3 relatively fast anyway and don't get much of rec acc anyway and the moment you pick sweepers, you pretty much concede the possibility to ever get more then vet1.
But its physically on the map, can be destroyed, cost fuel and is subject to the force fields you mentioned. And if im not wrong it counts as onmap artilery for the purpose of counter barrage. Artilery (as oposed to tanks and inf) is in no danger when attacking an enemy base and is somewhat a cheese move. I guess it's a matter of taste what you want to see in a game. I'm just arguing on having the same rules for everyone.
It doesn't cost anything to place, it doesn't cost anything to "rebuild", it doesn't have veterancy, it doesn't have pop cap, you have no ability to place it where you want it(it doesn't cover all map, unless the map is sufficiently enough, so that is another similarity with on-maps, but it definitely has nothing else in common with them).
Its simply for visual candy and outside of that, its an off-map with off-map mechanics to use.
The biggest flaw of the Ober StG44 upgrade is that if you lose a model you lose a quarter of your firepower compared to keepin most of your firepower when having the MG34 equipped. That being said I hardly use the StG44 on Obers.
You really don't use them much if you don't even know its TWO StGs only, meaning you lose exactly as much DPS as with LMG until 2 models are left and if you continue the fight at 2 men and down to 1, you're asking to be wiped anyway.
Relic Entertainment
