Ostheer Layout for 2.0.0.0 (Second Part)

[Blackbishop]

Hello Eastern Front fans,

Now it is time to bring the second part of the normal tech tree, hope you enjoy it:

Tech tree

Schutzen War Camp or Tier 3

Units available:
Halftrack

• Description: Neutral unit of this building, it can transport one squad and allows up to four soldiers to fire from inside, plus provides reinforcements to weakened troops in the field. It doesn't have an MG initially but one can be purchased via upgrading. It starts as an Sdkfz. 251/1 ausf. B but can be upgraded to Sdkfz. 251/21 ausf. D. It's also planned to have an antenna upgrade that enables it to call-in airstrikes.
• Abilities: Air-Strike(requires Radio Operator upgrade).
• Upgrades: Pintle Gunner, Radio Operator, Flak equipment.

Assault Pool: Panzerfusiliers

• Description:An elite infantry squad consisting of four soldiers armed with MP40s. They're intended as mechanized infantry, so they are good versus other infantry and have the ability to fire a Faustpatrone (early Panzerfaust) at enemy vehicles.
• Abilities: Grenade Shower(requires Mechanised Modernisation), Fire Faustpatrone.
• Upgrades: None.

Assault Pool: Panzer II "Luchs"

• Description: Light anti-infantry tank impervious to small arms fire, armed with the 2cm KwK 38 autocannon. Requires Mechanised Modernisation to be unlocked.
• Abilities: Mark Target.
• Upgrades: None.

Support Pool: Panzerjägers

• Description: Light anti-tank team. They carry an early variant of the Rpzb 43(aka Panzerschreck 43) which lacked a blastshield, so each operator must wear a gas mask to be protected from their own fire. The other squad members carry pistols, however the munitions on the rack of the loader can sometimes explode if they receive a critical hit. Panzerjägers can obtain a second Panzerschreck.
• Abilities: Focus Fire(requires Mechanised Modernisation)
• Upgrades: Additional Panzerschreck.

Support Pool: Marder II

• Description: A tank Hunter equipped with the Soviet 7.62cm F-22 M1936 AT gun, it excels taking out enemy vehicles from a safe distance. These anti-tank guns, now in German hands, are fitted to the chassis a Panzer II, firing and destroying their former owners. Requires Mechanised Modernisation to be unlocked.
• Abilities: None.
• Upgrades: None.

Upgrades available:

• Assault Pool: Unlocks Panzerfusiliers and Panzer II 'Luchs'. Disables Panzerjagers and Marder II.
• Support Pool: Unlocks Panzerjagers and Marder II. Disables Panzerfusiliers and Panzer II 'Luchs'.
• Mechanised Modernisation: Unlocks Grenade Shower ability for Panzerfusiliers, Focus fire ability for Panzerjagers, the Luchs and the Marder II.

Panzer Kampf Kommand or Tier 4

Units available:
Panzer III

• Description: Medium tank of Ostheer and neutral unit of this building. Quite versatile, it starts with the KwK 38 50mm but it can be granted with better equipment. Their projectiles are only effective at short distances against armoured units, so beware of this when engaging.
• Abilities: Tank Zeal(passive, grants penetration bonus to other Panzer IIIs, requires Commander).
• Upgrades: Long Barrel, Flamethrower tank.

Assault Pool: StuG III

• Description: This assault gun is suitable for providing armoured assistance to your infantry units. It's good vs tanks since it carries the same 75mm gun as the Panzer IV, although everyone should keep in mind the main drawback of StuG's; they have no turret, so avoid using it on exposed flanks.
• Abilities: None.
• Upgrades: Pintle Gunner.

Assault Pool(A): Panzer V "Panther"

• Description: Available for Support Army Group only. Requires Armoured Modernisation.
• Abilities: None.
• Upgrades: Cupola Gunner, Armoured Skirts.

Assault Pool(B): Panzer VI "Tiger"

• Description: Available for Elite Army Group only. Requires Armoured Modernisation.
• Abilities: None.
• Upgrades: Cupola Gunner.

Assault Pool(C): Panzer IV

• Description: Available for Fortress Army Group only. Requires Armoured Modernisation.
• Abilities: None.
• Upgrades: Cupola Gunner, Armoured Skirts.

Support Pool: Panzerwerfer 42

• Description: Mobile artillery unit for Ostheer, capable of firing a salvo of ten projectiles to a selected area. After modernisation it can switch to a different type of ammo.
• Abilities: Barrage, Switch Ammo Type(Requires Armoured Modernisation).
• Upgrades: None.

Support Pool: Flakpanzer IV 'Kugelblitz'

• Description: Anti-air self-propelled vehicle, the most advanced Germany built during the war, yet uncommon and barely tested. With its twin automatic 30mm cannons the Kugelblitz can shred infantry and aircraft with ease and, due to it being based on the Panzer IV chassis, is quite resilient. Requires Armoured Modernisation.
• Abilities: None.
• Upgrades: None.

Upgrades available:

• Assault Pool: Unlocks StuG III and the doctrinal tanks. Disables Panzerwerfer 42 and Kugelblitz.
• Support Pool: Unlocks Panzerwerfer 42 and Kugelblitz. Disables StuG III and the doctrinal tanks.
• Improvisation: All Panzer III and StuG III units are now equipped with armoured skirts.
  
• Armoured Modernisation: Unlocks the second tank of the Assault Pool, Commander for Panzer III, Kugelblitz.

For now we are keeping the Panzer IV in Ostheer, but it might get removed later, this unit is not set in stone.

[neosdark]

Urm Devs I don't want be this guy, but perhaps we can offer the Panzer IV another upgrade? It would make sense as its weaker than the other two.

[Blackbishop]

@neosdark
I don't understand what do you mean with that? Could you explain further?

[Pac-Fish]

I think he means he wants something added to the Panzer IV to make it more appealing or worth while to buy cause atm its just a regular panzer with things you must buy rather than come with and is weaker compared to the other two, the Tiger and Panther

tldr: He wants a cooler Panzer IV

[jonarus_drakus]

Some kind of special ability add-on is another option... Though I haven't the slightest clue what it could be... Look at historical records, surely there were many interesting 'field mods' that could be adapted for the game in a characterful fashion.

That said, so long as the 'fortress troops' commander tree gets something else to balance the lack of a proper 'heavy' tank (I'm calling panthers 'heavy' on a technicality), then I think it would probably be fine... Speaking of which, thats what were going to get next right? Updated command trees?

~JD

[krupp steel]

Are the Panzerfusiliers really armed with MP40s?  After viewing the picture I thought they had MP41s.

[Blackbishop]

That is just a placeholder, and they will have something nice . But yes, they will use the MP40.

[Riggsman]

Stats wise it's not the Panzer IV  that you used to know. It's acting like a T34/85 imho. So it's not worse than the other "cats" just different.

[neosdark]

Hrmm, I can't say i like that too much Riggs, but you are the balancers so i'll live with it

[Blackbishop]

Don't worry too much about it guys, if it feels too odd and actually survives to the closed beta, we can still do something about it.

There are some Balancers/Devs which do not like it and some others that doesn't like than it has a different weapon than Wehr's.

[Killar]

Nice update Bish!

Keep in mind that you base your assumption on the PIV on the wehr variant, which isnt the same in OH. Also this setup is WIP, so some things might change in the process. However most of the things you see is set in stone.

[Dreamerbg]

In broadcasted games we saw Stug III as main battle tank, now it this layout its PzIII again.
What is changed from then to now 

[Shwepps]

"Pintle Gunner" for Stug III likes MG34 gunner?
And any date to release?

[Ghost]

In broadcasted games we saw Stug III as main battle tank, now it this layout its PzIII again.
What is changed from then to now 

in broadcasts stug3 was indeed neutral, but it was stated that this might be changed back to panzer3 being neutral again. all just WIP

as for the panzer IV, i personally like it, but i also understand that some people don't want to see "just another panzer IV". so like neo said, something cool could be added to it or it could be replaced by something different. i would suggest replacing it with a "dicker max" (tank destroyer based on panzer4 chassis), something like a stronger marder - but that would be some kind of prototype unit (only 2 were used on eastern front) and i don't know if that would be a good idea but if the kugelblitz in... 

[Killar]

There will be a reward unit for the PanzerIV. Many will be satisfied with this one, who dont like the PanzerIV.