Well Docc I see your problem but I don't agree with it.
Acks have always been easy to take down (except during Beta when they were actually laser guided without dispersion for a while, that was just nasty).
As far as the number of acks around a field goes, specially 20mm, I agree with you. However, that is up the the Map builders, not HTC. Not sure if HTC have any restrictions on the number of acks you're alowed to place around a field though.
The problem really has got nothing to do with patches or not. The problem lies intirely with the players. Unfortunatly most players act the same they as they would in real life, go with the gang, kick the underdog, be afraid to speak up or come with real sugestions and whine alot.
Most people just enjoy the cherry pickin and easy kills/kill stealing, flying with the gang and hate getting ganged and whine about it (no I do not mean you Docc

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And some, like you, try and stick with the underdogs but don't like it. I understand it but don't agree with it, there is usually a way to slap the gangers. Problem is people don't wanna take the time to gather a few people from the country and say "guys, let's grab a couple of bombers, take down the field they are attacking from and listen to the whine about field porkers". Or like Ack-Ack said, LTAR's enjoy their GV's and they have more people in their squad then a whole friggin ant farm, attacking a field guarded by them is just stupid unless you're in a high alt bomber.
The defencive capabilities exist, problem is people don't use them. As soon as they notice the war ain't going their way they change field or log off.