Inconsistencies among ABCA nations' troop quality

[simon9]

Apologies if this has been covered, this is my first time here and I can't see it anywhere.

I've noticed some inconsistencies where similar troop types of various nations have wildly different Morale and Experience mods. This may be caused by different people writing the OOBs for each country and not using a universal grading system.

First up, let me say I am NOT having a whine because my favourite Army isn't as awesome as I think it should be, or that I believe my favourite Army is the best in the whole world and woe betide anyone who tries to suggest differently. Instead, this is logical comparison of what I think most would agree are very similar Armies.

I will use the ABCA nations as an example. These nations (America, Britain, Canada and Australia) train extensively together, post members on exchanges to other ABCA partners, follow largely the same doctrine, and often fight alongside each other.

There are differences in each national army, of course - but I believe these are minor in the case of modern Western armies in general and ABCA nations in particular. Yet when we compare their OOBs there are major differences, usually in the Australian OOB.

I'll cite a few examles using V3.5 in the current month, Sept 07. To wit:

USA, UK and Aust have base Exp = 80, Mor = 75. Canada has 75/75.

US Rangers, UK Royal Marine Commandos and Australian 4RAR(Cdo) are similar Tier 2 Special Forces units. They focus on raiding, supporting Tier 1 elements, and in 4RAR's case, counter-terrorism. They train together and all have current combat experience in Iraq and/or Afghanistan.

Yet when we compare them:

Ranger Platoon: Exp mod = 15, Mor mod = 15
RM Cdos: Exp mod = 15, Mor mod = 10
4RAR: Exp mod = 0, Mor mod = 5

A few other units for comparison:

US Para Platoon: Exp mod = 10, Mor mod = 10
UK Para Regt Platoon: Exp mod = 15, Mor mod = 10
Canadian Para Platoon: Exp mod = 5, Mor mod = 10

Aust Para Platoon: Exp mod = 0, Mor mod = 0
Aust SASR Patrol: Exp mod = 10, Mor mod = 10

UK SAS Patrol: Exp mod = 20, Mor mod = 25(!!!)

Under this system, US Airborne troops are the equal of Australian SASR, while their Australian counterparts are the equal only of regular infantry! US Rangers and RM Cdos are superior to SASR (a Tier 1 SOF) and way, way ahead of 4RAR, their direct Tier 2 equivalent. UK Paras also outclass SASR. UK SAS and Aust SASR, which are VERY similar units, have 20, 25 and 10, 10 respectively.

I'm not trying to start a patriotic argument here, but I believe there is a strong case for the Australian OOB to be standardised with its ABCA partners. SASR should have in the order of Exp mod = 20, Mor mod = 20, 4RAR should be 15, 15, and Aust paratroopers 5, 5.

If these ratings are deliberate and/or this has been discussed before, no need to flame me! A simple explanation would suffice just fine thanks.

Cheers all

PS - I am aware I can edit my OOB to match whatever I want, but I'm talking about the standard OOB that comes with the game and the one most would use for 2-player games.