Re: Kunar Province Feedback
Posted: 2022-09-21 23:08
I want to start off by saying the map looks great, it perfectly captures the valley forest aesthetic of Afghanistan better then any map in any game I've ever played to date. Its also worth emphasizing the unique challenges the map offers to mobility and logistics are strengths not weaknesses IMO. The fact a couple players can't handle anything more then flat capture the flag maps is no fault of the map design. Movement in my experience was fine if somewhat challenging, nothing like the frustrating mess of Korengal (a map I still love in spite of its flaws).
The main problem plaguing the map currently is the balance, the INS layer has lots of promise to be an all time great IMO but the current balance is just horrendous for the US. Ill jump right in as to why:
-2 AAV's and 2 SPG's is just simply too much. The US has zero armor and only light vehicles that are mincemeat against either of these assets. While I understand the AAV's are there too counter the single CAS asset on the map, they end up being far too effective against everything else aswell, Trans, humvees and trucks stand no chance. If that wasn't bad enough there's also 2 SPG techies roaming around. Surely even an extra AA/MANPAD kit or two at mainbase could substitute for atleast one of the AAV's, as for the SPG's they could both be removed with no detriment to the map, or have one but balanced out against some better US ground vehicles.
It feels like the current balance of Taliban assets doesn't take into account the many other variables in the Taliban's favor:
A) Assets aside the Taliban has plenty of LAT's, HAT, SPG emplacements, DSHK emplacements, MANPADS, Suicide vehicles and IED's galore. More then ample to deal with all US ground assets and seriously contest TRANs and CAS.
B) The terrain degrades the effectiveness of CAS ALOT. Even in the total Absence of air defense (not suggested). the Terrain is very rugged and broken with lots of vegetation and cover that I feel like puts a hard limit on just how effective CAS can be in the first place. A CAS team thats well coordinated with spotters and SL's still has plenty of room to be devastating in the right circumstances, but the current balance definitely feels like there was too much concern with CAS being OP that its ended up going the opposite direction and being nullified to "maybe sometimes useful?" if you have a good CAS squad and the enemy team has terrible AA.
-Now on the US side of things and as others have pointed out, TRANs is essential to the map being the slightest bit playable. I feel like the 2 huey's just don't cut it, and the almost total dependence on a single Chinook for logistics is almost gamebreaking. If it gets shot down early the US game stagnates almost immediately. Yes the logi trucks provide some opportunities as well, but they're significantly limited especially on a rugged mountainous 4km map. Huey's being upgraded to blackhawks or maybe replaced with another chinook would drastically free up the logistical burden on the US team.
-As for ground assets the lack of armor on the US team is a great and realistic choice, but I feel like the offensive capability of their light vehicles should be bulked up somewhat. AAV and SPG techies aside, the humvees and trucks are at a serious disadvantage with the limited road options and terrain that seriously favors defenders with RPG's and IED's. A MK-19's and/or CROWs would go a long way toward making leaving the US main by ground a viable option and not feel like a total death sentence.
-My only other gripe is that the US is dependent on the A-10 for any extra offensive ability, juts like with the logistic's situation; dependence on a singular asset for a vital role is always a recipe for disaster. The US should at the very least get area attacks and one could argue for a CAS kiowa or something that bridges the gap in US options. It is Insurgency after all, the Taliban should be the underdogs and not vice versa. With the advantages the terrain offers to defenders any half decent Taliban team would be quite hard-pressed to lose regardless of asset balance IMO.
Still a great unique map, that I feel like is just simply misunderstood due to balance issues. Once its fixed I feel like it'll grow on to be a fan favorite.
The main problem plaguing the map currently is the balance, the INS layer has lots of promise to be an all time great IMO but the current balance is just horrendous for the US. Ill jump right in as to why:
-2 AAV's and 2 SPG's is just simply too much. The US has zero armor and only light vehicles that are mincemeat against either of these assets. While I understand the AAV's are there too counter the single CAS asset on the map, they end up being far too effective against everything else aswell, Trans, humvees and trucks stand no chance. If that wasn't bad enough there's also 2 SPG techies roaming around. Surely even an extra AA/MANPAD kit or two at mainbase could substitute for atleast one of the AAV's, as for the SPG's they could both be removed with no detriment to the map, or have one but balanced out against some better US ground vehicles.
It feels like the current balance of Taliban assets doesn't take into account the many other variables in the Taliban's favor:
A) Assets aside the Taliban has plenty of LAT's, HAT, SPG emplacements, DSHK emplacements, MANPADS, Suicide vehicles and IED's galore. More then ample to deal with all US ground assets and seriously contest TRANs and CAS.
B) The terrain degrades the effectiveness of CAS ALOT. Even in the total Absence of air defense (not suggested). the Terrain is very rugged and broken with lots of vegetation and cover that I feel like puts a hard limit on just how effective CAS can be in the first place. A CAS team thats well coordinated with spotters and SL's still has plenty of room to be devastating in the right circumstances, but the current balance definitely feels like there was too much concern with CAS being OP that its ended up going the opposite direction and being nullified to "maybe sometimes useful?" if you have a good CAS squad and the enemy team has terrible AA.
-Now on the US side of things and as others have pointed out, TRANs is essential to the map being the slightest bit playable. I feel like the 2 huey's just don't cut it, and the almost total dependence on a single Chinook for logistics is almost gamebreaking. If it gets shot down early the US game stagnates almost immediately. Yes the logi trucks provide some opportunities as well, but they're significantly limited especially on a rugged mountainous 4km map. Huey's being upgraded to blackhawks or maybe replaced with another chinook would drastically free up the logistical burden on the US team.
-As for ground assets the lack of armor on the US team is a great and realistic choice, but I feel like the offensive capability of their light vehicles should be bulked up somewhat. AAV and SPG techies aside, the humvees and trucks are at a serious disadvantage with the limited road options and terrain that seriously favors defenders with RPG's and IED's. A MK-19's and/or CROWs would go a long way toward making leaving the US main by ground a viable option and not feel like a total death sentence.
-My only other gripe is that the US is dependent on the A-10 for any extra offensive ability, juts like with the logistic's situation; dependence on a singular asset for a vital role is always a recipe for disaster. The US should at the very least get area attacks and one could argue for a CAS kiowa or something that bridges the gap in US options. It is Insurgency after all, the Taliban should be the underdogs and not vice versa. With the advantages the terrain offers to defenders any half decent Taliban team would be quite hard-pressed to lose regardless of asset balance IMO.
Still a great unique map, that I feel like is just simply misunderstood due to balance issues. Once its fixed I feel like it'll grow on to be a fan favorite.
