I lazy so I post same post 2x no, its not a spam it works with the topic and it is 100% in-topic minus 10% of little off stuff. <3
First of all, Rangers are heavy assault unit. Well yeah they are quite cable of dealing with several threats with their "God mode" aka Fire up making HMGs and chasing down vehicles easier and as well avoiding and flanking other stuff (Other HMGs, ATGs, Tanks)
I think it is good that they are at pop 7. Why? Well I got this feeling that if they were down to six it might encourage a huge spammage of Rangers. Yes I am well aware that you can't get too many of them. Anyway, costing 14 Pop cap to call them in is rather good thing in my opinnion. Imaginate if it only costs 12? 2 Squads of Rangers with Tommies can cause a havoc to any axis player. Yes there are plenty of counter meassures vs them. Ostwinds, double MGs etc. But when they are 6. 3 Ranger squads will be only 18 Pop cap. When it is 7 it is 21 which means they are harder to call in field.
Bleh the "Blob of Doom" is a pain in the arse I can honestly say that and the fire up saves them from several painful situations (HMGs, Stormtrooper Ambush, nebel supression etc etc)
"The Blob of Doom"Honestly I don't see any infantry counter on that. Two Vetted and Tommied Ranger squads. For now it is 14 pop to call in such a heavy firepower which might make allied player to think twice before calling that in but when down in 12 it would be like calling in something else and not such a devestating firepower.
Note: 2 HMGs covering each others should work versus that ultimate blob of destruction. (Yes I'm aware that 2 isn't much of a blob but when talking about AB or Rangers IT IS a blob of doom)
IT MULTIPLIES! (yes it does)
At this point everyone can see that this game was already a defeat. Now this blob of doom is a major pain in the arse. 2 Upgraded Ranger squads and one Un-upgraded. Adds heavy firepower versus both vehicle and anti infantry. This blobs cost is huge in pop cap. 21! Imaginate if it was 18? Then you can call in another same like blob! Hurrayy!
Ok now some allied lovers whimpers and moans "NOOH ZOOKS ARE LE CRAP! BUFF TEM OR LOWER PRICE OR ZUMTIN! PLZ! k? <3" "Nooh zooks are shit and worthless piece of Anti tank in the face of CoH!" <- Now now children pay attention.
Imaginate 6x Zook hit on a P4 Front armor? It does nothing you say? WRONG! I hope I had picture showing it but too bad I was crying and hitting my head on the desk when my P4 decided to blow into pieces after a massive broodside of zooks then a camping AT gun so I forgot to press "Prt Scr Sys Rq" in my keyboard.
Bazooka isn't a crappy le shit gun. Actually it brings a Inferno to world where Mist-thrower (aka Nebelwherfer) horribly fails at. (we talk about Anti Tank not anti infantry). You have Fire up that God mode which enables free roaming for your rangers to run around and kill everything (You can wipe that 50% Damage with your butt after the game as Axis player when you notice that they took only one mm more damage from your retreating Panthers top gunner who desperately uses that pop gun on the top (It is useful yes I'm aware of that, tis why I luv it) anyway back to topic) you circle behind enemy tanks and pound its ass you'll be happy when you see the panther/tank/whatever thing blow off in air and your ranger got a veterancy Congrats Commander you have been promoted!
Now, moving on.
Alright Infantry versus Thompson rangers. Why green cover such like a pile of hay or a wall of love stone (its odd that sandbag walls are more effective than stone walls go wonder) would help your grenadiers to survive? Rangers always come with Bazookas that will rip those defences away and then those 4 Chuck Norrises uses their Tommy guns like Gangsters did in 1928 in USA. It leaves you dead grenadiers and a dropped LMG or Shreck. Alright. What then? MG behind your grenadiers! YES good idea!. Though...
Fire up (God_mode 1)
They ignore your grenadiers and run up to your HMG. Klaus and Hans lifts their MP40s to defend Günther who is operating the MG42. One of the Chuck Norrises uses bazooka to kill Günther (accidentally) when then rest of the Gangsters rapes Klaus and Hans and leaves empty MG alone in the field. Then the blob of Chuck Norrises runs to your Grenadiers saying "Alright, now where were we?" and then makes them retreat and makes the Axis commander wanting to curse Allies ranger spams to hell.
Hmm. Ostwinds are good, they have high range too! Yes that is Axis "Crocodile" (although its shittier and more weaker <.<) Bang, bang, bang,bang "Klaus you doin good!" "Ja we get soon a veterancy!" (God_mode 1) Ostwind is then being chased down and 6-4 zooks can handle the job on side and front armor if the crew men are lucky they can still shoot and deal dmg to Ranger blob that escapes with their Fire up making you to follow them to "Combined Arms tactic" aka ATG/2x M10s or a M4 that is waiting for your Ostwind in the Fog of War.
Alright I guess everyone got my point WHY...WHY I'd like to see Rangers in Pop 7.
PS: I know people will (ally lovers *cough*) will tell me Anti-Ranger tactics. But I've used few of those tactics (so far only dual HMG was only working thingy but as I said earlier they got wiped by a Croc/mortars :<)
If someone comes to cry that rangers costs much and that is why their Pop cap must be dropped I'd say "Save some mun to give Tommies then you can Rape everything Axis throws at you WITH 3xRanger Squads you can take out everything from tanks to infantry" (OK maybe not a KT but its just a big Metal thing only a "Shock" for allies but as I noticed today, it was fairly easily defeated and needs more support than a Tiger tank! Ok I know its basically A Infantry support vehicle but hey so is Stug and Tiger too! <3) [Should I mentionate usefulness of Storms and KCHs? I think I skip that part but all knows how good they are if used correctly. Personally if I played as allies I'd drool over "Starfing Run" ability everytime I see more than 2 KCHs attacking a unit)
Enjoy my rant? Yes I know, it is also to say not to decrease ranger pop cap as well possible counters I've used in-game
