I'm all for a maxim nerf (setup time) if we also implement:
-Give them the same teleport magic from other MG (no longer kill gunner = wipe squad)
-Suppression reduces grenade/casting range by 50% (applies to all units).
Just give them a wider arc, that's all they need. The idea of an "offensive MG" was always going to be problematic.
Also, imo, buffing penals isn't the answer cause they're in a dead-end tier but hey, better than what we have.
I have done so. No epiphany hath befallen upon me. I think it's reasonable that a Russian player would be able to give advice on what can screw up the Russian's play, even if (s)he is completely incapable of actually playing the opposite faction.