I see the idea of TD/SPG as filling a gap between tanks and mech infantry (ie a unit that moves 2 but attacks and defends like artillery and is cheaper than a tank). Instead of adding a new type of unit, would the mechanics of the game be sufficiently tweaked by just using the rules for the Improved Mech Infantry tech (ie all powers are given this tech):
Improved Mechanized Infantry: Each of your mechanized infantry units that are paired up with a tank or artillery now has an attack value of 2. Also, your mechanized infantry may now blitz without being paired with a tank.
Some ramifications would be:
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Each one has to be paired with a tank so people couldn’t just buy a stack of these attack 2, move 2 units.
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Germany would have an easier time doing a fast Barabrossa with mechs to give extra punch.
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Russia would likewise have an easier time going after Berlin after a sea lion scenario.
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Japan could chase down the Chinese infantry stack with mech/tank/tac trios
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UK could build tank/mech combos in South Africa and keep Egypt secure
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USA would not need to build artillery for the first wave of an amphibious force. They could use the 4 mechs they start out with as heavy units instead just boat fillers. 8 transports with 8 inf, 4 inproved mech, 4 armor would be as good as 8 inf, 8 art because after the 8 inf die in the first dice roll the remaining 8 units fire 4@2 + 4@3 instead of 8@2.
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Italy could do more powerful can opener moves with mech/armor