Point costs and balance

[Suhiir]

My 2 cents : a.k.a. adding oil to the flames...

I've been tempted to brooch this subject for some time but have been resisting due to the feeling that there is no "solution" and bringing it up would do more harm then good.

Unit Class #50 (Air Obs Aircraft)
Examples (default USMC OOB #013)

Unit #251 FO Aircraft (01/46-12/120)
Cost=36 size=2 EW=0 Vision=0

Unit #250 OV-10A Bronco (07/68-12/89)
Cost=73 size=2 EW=1 Vision=20

Unit #253 OV-10D Bronco (01/90-12/120)
Cost=167 size=2 EW=3 Vision=40

Unit #252 OV-1 Mohawk (01/94-12/120)
Cost=177 size=4 EW=4 Vision=40

Unit #254 UAV (01/90-12/120)
Cost=171 size=0 EW=5 Vision=40

Examples (my revised USMC OOB #013)

Unit #251 OE-1 Bird Dog (01/46-12/120)
Cost=36 size=1 EW=0 Vision=0

Unit #250 OV-10A Bronco (08/67-07/93)
Cost=90 size=2 EW=3 Vision=10

Unit #253 OV-10D Bronco (01/79-07/93)
Cost=167 size=2 EW=3 Vision=40

Unit #252 OV-1C Mohawk (01/62-06/68)
Cost=83 size=3 EW=2 Vision=20

Unit #254 RQ-2 Pioneer (01/85-12/102)
Cost=101 size=0 EW=5 Vision=30

Unit #631 RQ-7 Shadow (01/91-12/102)
Cost=191 size=0 EW=7 Vision=40

Unit #869 UAV AAI Shadow (01/103-12/120)
Cost=231 size=0 EW=9 Vision=40

Whole aerial observation is VERY handy in WinSPMBT it's rare for the observation aircraft to survive even one pass once MANPADS start to proliferate in the game (the AI invariably has 2 to 4 times as many as would normally be seen in a force the size fielded). Thus they are rarely worth the scarce "Air" slot or the unit cost.

Solution?
Well, cut the costs by 50% and perhaps make them not cost an "air" slot when purchased.
Better yet, cut AI MANPAD purchase by 50% or more!

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On a related subject it seems Vision 40 adds a blanket 100 points to the cost of any unit. While Thermal Imaging IS very nice ... is it 100 points worth of nice?