Lend-Lease program

[ubermensche]

I've been reading a lot on the Eastern Front lately and I've noticed that both sides (German and Russian) credit the Lend-Lease program as a major factor of the Soviet victory. I've seen that many previous threads suggest to implement a Russian Sherman and I'm not here to suggest that (because seriously, who wants a Sherman when you have a T-34). In fact the most significant aid was in TRUCKS (The Soviets got over 350 000 trucks) which made logistics and supply much easier.

I think that it'd interesting to implement this supply boost in the game. Maybe as an upgrade in the armoury or an upgrade for the Breakthrough Assault Strategy (since the program was the help the Russians break through the Germans with greater ease). Basically what it does is that it gives an extra +5 boost to all secured points (i.e. points with OPs). So here's an example: an ammo point low gives you 5 munitions, when you construct an OP on it, it gives you 8 munitions. With the Lend-Lease upgrade, you'll get 13 munitions.

[GodlikeDennis]

Soviets already have American trucks as the basis for Katyushas and they already have a supply upgrade that decreases manpower upkeep.

[Blackbishop]

There was already a LL Sherman for Breakthrough, but we removed it a while ago and now we have a su85 call-in in its place.

I'm not sure if Outpost need this, they are already quite strong and can garrison one squad, so you can defend the points better.

[neosdark]

If memory serves we have had other discussions on this subject (Lend-Lease) and the exact same things were suggested as this (in a slightly different format though). There was also a call for a Soviet Bazooka as part of call-in.

The only thing from Lend-Lease that the devs could possibly include would be Studebaker trucks, but those should only be accessed along with Kats (as part of the same doctrinal upgrade I mean), if at all.

If anything we will probably see Lend-Lease in full glory during the campaign. I can just smell the Soviet Shermans, Soviet Bazookas and Soviet Studebakers there. 

[Otto Halfhand]

ubermensche, your resource augmentation concept is interesting. In effect it would boost fuel or muni rates about 20% to 65%.  Balance would be a bit hairy. I would like to see a way to increase the MP rather than Fuel or munis. THe Commander Trees use MPs to recruit squads almost exclusively. Do you have any ideas in this regard.

@ GLD and neosdark: weren't the vehicles used by Katyushas and FAI armored cars etc built under agreement in the Soviet Union? AFAIK most of these agreements went back to the late twenties and early thirties.

[ubermensche]

My idea of the Lend-Lease was a passive ability that increased the amount of resources available to the Red Army and not an active call-in ability. Plus the amount of weapons received was marginal compared to both what the Red Army had overall as well as the amount of trucks that the Red Army received (plus the Red Army already has something like 6 medium-late game tanks and I'm not including the assault guns and the light tanks). I remember well that the devs stated that the Soviets will have no infantry transport in order to give them a weakness, and I agree with that, so I'm quite against the Studebaker trucks too.

@Otto

Thanks a lot Well one thing that the Red Army always had, even during its darkest days, was an almost unlimited supply of manpower compared to the Germans. So if you want to increase the general amount of MP you can decrease manpower upkeep, if not take it away and balance it with higher munition and fuel upkeep.

Or maybe another interesting concept would be for the Propaganda War strategy. I'll call it "Sacrifice for the Motherland!". Basically what it does is that Soviet civilians, influenced by Soviet propaganda, will be more willing to enlist. So for a short period (3-5 minutes), you'll have a 20% boost of manpower. And it's gonna cost...say 150 munitions.

[neosdark]

@ GLD and neosdark: weren't the vehicles used by Katyushas and FAI armored cars etc built under agreement in the Soviet Union? AFAIK most of these agreements went back to the late twenties and early thirties.

If memory serves those contracts were cancelled due to the backlash from the Winter War (First Finn-Soviet War). The constructed vehicles were almost all destroyed during Barbarossa. Thus, Lend-Lease supplied them with many of the necessary vehicles and trucks.

[GodlikeDennis]

Soviets won't be changed like this - certainly not in regards to resource income. Resources are a very fine line that is the key to all balance. This is the major reason why Brits are messed up. Currently Soviets already have the armoury upkeep reductions which are fine in regards to supply upgrades. Others won't be included in the core faction.

[Cranialwizard]

Soviets won't be changed like this - certainly not in regards to resource income. Resources are a very fine line that is the key to all balance.

+1

[Alexander 'ApeMen' J.]

Soviets won't be changed like this - certainly not in regards to resource income. Resources are a very fine line that is the key to all balance.

+1

i think there is nothing more to say^^

[Blackbishop]

Since this ain't going to happen, it is not necessary to continue discussing it. Locked.