Soviet need MGs because the only building which can suppress infantry is the MGBunker
Ok.Agree...if you think if giving MG to USSR,will make them to be OP or appear "boring" or not different from others.You say that because don't like to play with Russia...just against...but no matter...
I disagree with you: the command squad can call arty (like sharpshooters), but german player can retreat immediately and come back, and the arti abilitie take a long time to reload.And when german infantry come back with MGs, what do you want to do? You cant retreat you infantry, so if your guys are suppressed, werh pios with flames or panzergrenadier with G43 (or MP44) can ripe off your infantry.Also, why giving MGs for soviet can make the game boring? your example is pretty silly (no insult to you!), COH isnt a MGs fight... German player can counter every soviet unit in early game with better infantry and decent support, in middle game with shrecks, paks and units build before, and in late game with panzer's vet3 spamming (dont talk about IS-2 which can be easily destroyed by vet3 german unit). Soviet player need a unit to make the early game balance (and interesting - conscript spam is boring).
I think that some folks just don't understand what 'game balance' really means. Having two factions play against each t giving reasonable strengths and weaknesses to each faction. Each faction has abilities and units that others do not, and each faction has abilities and units that counter those other unique abilities. Balance is achieved when all factions have equal opportunity to beat any other faction they are up against; skill and knowledge of the game and its mechanics are the only imbalance...I suppose luck is also in the mix.
-soviet tank hunters are useless compared to panzerschreks...