This is it, this is my time to shine
It’s that time. Time to nerf the MRL
On the morning of March 5th, 1953, Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin was found dead in his bedroom. The death of the Soviet leader marked a turning point in the history of the Soviet Union. After much suffering, there was hope that things would change
This is that time for Conflict of Nations. The time that tyrannical MRL finally gets nerfed, the time when we can enjoy a true balance. If you are unfamiliar with the subject: The Multiple Rocket Launcher is considered to be one of the best units in the game, if not the best. MRL “Doom Stacks”, which consist of MRL as well as a few other support units, are difficult to counter and frustratingly effective compared to other strategies. My ultimate goal is not to outright destroy the MRL, but to bring it down to a level where it is truly comparable to the other artillery types instead of being objectively better.
How should the MRL be nerfed: Minimum Range
In addition to a maximum range, MRL will have a minimum range of 40 as well as 0 defensive damage. My reasoning is as follows:
-Towed and Mobile artillery posses the ability to fire on enemies within sight distance. This is known as direct fire. Usually, when artillery realizes the enemy is upon them, they fires shells directly at them, similarly to a tank. This is presumably represented in the game by these artillery units having a defense damage applied in melee combat
But what about MRL?
Multiple Rocket Launchers often have a minimum firing distance. This means that an enemy that is too close simply cannot be fired at due to the nature of the weapon. This would be quite simple to represent in-game, by adding a minimum range
What effect would this have in the game?
-For starters, artillery-to-artillery combat would be unaffected. Enemy artillery wouldn’t be within 40 range of your MRL anyway unless you just let them come up to you
-MRL’s ability to provide fire support would also be unaffected. Their max range and damage is unchanged, allowing them to perform their duties just like they would before the nerf
So for the most part the operational aspect of MRL is unchanged. What does this affect then?
-Enhancement of “soft” counters
As you may already know, Spec Ops is a unit sometimes used to combat these stacks. However, Spec Ops often lose units and are mediocre as a direct counter, partially because an MRL stack has brutal damage even in melee. My change will allow them to mature into a full counter. With MRL having no defensive damage, and being unable to fire at nearby Spec Ops even with a CRV, the Spec Ops will be able to close in and destroy them with ease. This punches a big hole in the MRL strategy while preserving its ability to conduct its mission
-Two groups of units benefit from this change: Armor, and other artilleries
>Armor is used rarely by skilled players, but this new vulnerability may promote the use of armored
units like CRV and AFV to defend MRL stacks from spec Ops. On the other hand, many offensive armor strategies will become viable. A basic MBT rush may be effective, but not as good as a air assaulting tank destroyer. The tank destroyer, which excelled at tearing apart armor units, will devour a MRL stack if it gets within range
>Other artillery units, especially mobile artillery, may find a new place within the balance of the game. Mobile artillery already had some small advantages over MRL, but nothing that truly made them a good alternative. Now, the ability of Mobile Artillery to engage any units within its range, in addition to its currently high armor damage, will make it ideal as a unit to handle armor rushes
This is a fairly powerful nerf, so to complement it I suggest a buff at the same time: Doctrine bonuses
Western Doctrine: +5 HP
Eastern Doctrine: +20% Infantry Damage, +10% Speed
European Doctrine: No change
Also please fix the unit icons
It’s that time. Time to nerf the MRL
On the morning of March 5th, 1953, Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin was found dead in his bedroom. The death of the Soviet leader marked a turning point in the history of the Soviet Union. After much suffering, there was hope that things would change
This is that time for Conflict of Nations. The time that tyrannical MRL finally gets nerfed, the time when we can enjoy a true balance. If you are unfamiliar with the subject: The Multiple Rocket Launcher is considered to be one of the best units in the game, if not the best. MRL “Doom Stacks”, which consist of MRL as well as a few other support units, are difficult to counter and frustratingly effective compared to other strategies. My ultimate goal is not to outright destroy the MRL, but to bring it down to a level where it is truly comparable to the other artillery types instead of being objectively better.
How should the MRL be nerfed: Minimum Range
In addition to a maximum range, MRL will have a minimum range of 40 as well as 0 defensive damage. My reasoning is as follows:
-Towed and Mobile artillery posses the ability to fire on enemies within sight distance. This is known as direct fire. Usually, when artillery realizes the enemy is upon them, they fires shells directly at them, similarly to a tank. This is presumably represented in the game by these artillery units having a defense damage applied in melee combat
But what about MRL?
Multiple Rocket Launchers often have a minimum firing distance. This means that an enemy that is too close simply cannot be fired at due to the nature of the weapon. This would be quite simple to represent in-game, by adding a minimum range
What effect would this have in the game?
-For starters, artillery-to-artillery combat would be unaffected. Enemy artillery wouldn’t be within 40 range of your MRL anyway unless you just let them come up to you
-MRL’s ability to provide fire support would also be unaffected. Their max range and damage is unchanged, allowing them to perform their duties just like they would before the nerf
So for the most part the operational aspect of MRL is unchanged. What does this affect then?
-Enhancement of “soft” counters
As you may already know, Spec Ops is a unit sometimes used to combat these stacks. However, Spec Ops often lose units and are mediocre as a direct counter, partially because an MRL stack has brutal damage even in melee. My change will allow them to mature into a full counter. With MRL having no defensive damage, and being unable to fire at nearby Spec Ops even with a CRV, the Spec Ops will be able to close in and destroy them with ease. This punches a big hole in the MRL strategy while preserving its ability to conduct its mission
-Two groups of units benefit from this change: Armor, and other artilleries
>Armor is used rarely by skilled players, but this new vulnerability may promote the use of armored
units like CRV and AFV to defend MRL stacks from spec Ops. On the other hand, many offensive armor strategies will become viable. A basic MBT rush may be effective, but not as good as a air assaulting tank destroyer. The tank destroyer, which excelled at tearing apart armor units, will devour a MRL stack if it gets within range
>Other artillery units, especially mobile artillery, may find a new place within the balance of the game. Mobile artillery already had some small advantages over MRL, but nothing that truly made them a good alternative. Now, the ability of Mobile Artillery to engage any units within its range, in addition to its currently high armor damage, will make it ideal as a unit to handle armor rushes
This is a fairly powerful nerf, so to complement it I suggest a buff at the same time: Doctrine bonuses
Western Doctrine: +5 HP
Eastern Doctrine: +20% Infantry Damage, +10% Speed
European Doctrine: No change
Also please fix the unit icons
Yee Haw