A lot of people are expecting some changes or improvements in GVs. Personally, I have mixed expectations concerning especially how the GVs fare against air-to-ground attacks.
Now, the recent changes - despite complaints on tank vs tank 'weird incidents' - were very satisfactory IMO.
I do not have any statistics to back me up, but empirically, I can really notice that the main stay of GVs in ground attack roles have shifted heavily to Panzers and Tigers(as it should!!). In the versions before the changes to GV DM, we all remember how Panzers were utterly useless.
But recently, I can really say that the ground war element has been improved a lot. There are lots more opportunities for a plane like IL-2 now, especially in the Trinity terrain. Advancing columns of armour consisting of multiple Panzers, when not dealt properly in the early stages, has devastating effect on a field. Now, GVs are an alternate option for capture with power to be reckoned with. Kudos to HTC for bringing such changes!
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However, there is some room for improvement, and with some humble suggestions, I request for a couple of more planes solely 'specialized' for the anti-GV role, which might add some more interesting variety to the ground war.
Overall, I am wondering if it would be possible to somehow 'tone' the GV DM and 'shape' it somehow.
The probability went down a lot with the recent changes, but people are still reporting Panzers and Tigers being disabled by .50 or 20mm fire. Some people even go as far as to say "the N1K2s or Typhies with 4x20mms are the best planes to kill Panzers or Tigers".
On the other hand, in many occasions, specifically related with Tigers, it someties seems that no amount of bombs can adequately knock out a Tiger - even well placed ones!
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Therefore, I'm sort of imagining a DM which is more sturdy against A2G fire, but a bit more 'flexible' towards bomb drops.
In addition(as the suggested changes might strengthen the GVs even more(since not many people can accurately drop bombs right on top of tanks)), I'd like to suggest the introduction of some interesting A2G anti-tank gun platform which were solely specialized for the task. The Hs129 with either the 37mms or even the 75mms would be a great addition IMO. Also, the Ju87G with the 37mm guns are a welcome addition, too.
Also, I'd like to add that the VickerS 40mm cannons on the Hurricane 2D needs to be fixed, as its guns did not fire in alternate sequence as it is now in AH.
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Now, some people might be skeptical in the sense that 'since any dufus can up a Hs129 or a Ju87G and practically auger into a tank with guns blazing, nothing's really changed'. However, IMO, at least they aren't doing that with a N1K2 or a Typhoon. At least those two planes are in no way a fighter, almost too vulnerable without local air superiorty/protection, and are slow aircraft which makes them prone to getting shotdown by the powerful Ostie guns.
Meaning: at least if one has to take up a Hs129 or a Ju87G, he's using a very vulnerable plane which was specialized for the task, and will have to face the dangers as it was. He ain't just gonna be able to up a Typh and strafe something to disable it, and then go fighting instantly against a con nearby.
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Also, if powerful anti-tank planes such as Hs129 and Ju87G are introduced, it might stimulate the GV drivers into natural organization. AA vehicles aren't supposed to barge into towns alone. They accompanied heavy armour with a specific purpose to protect them.
As it is, currently I see many people making such tactical mistakes - where Panzers or Tigers are left undefended, and Osties just barge into the field themselves. Ofcourse, such mistakes are always welcome for an IL-2 lover like me,
since that is the best situation the defenders can dream of. While friendly tanks wait in the edges of the field, IL-2 knock out enemy tanks which are undefended, and then, friendly tanks take care of Ostwinds easily... However, no harm done when things become more challenging. Faced against powerful anti-tank attack planes, maybe the tank drivers will request the flak drivers to stay close to them and protect them...
and who knows.. maybe organization will come naturally, without anybody having to order another guy around!
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