Locarnus Addon 2025-08b, for Battlefield Europe, Afrika Korps and Grand Campaign East

[Locarnus]

Great spot about the different zip file!
Now it works perfectly fine.
Thanks fpr the quick reply and all the work, Locarnus!

You are welcome.

Oh, and while you are playing the pre campaign of Battlefield Europe:
The prestige from that pre-campaign should not carry over to the big BE scenario (DONAR444 reported that bug a few days ago). You can either keep it or use the debug code to remove it:
viewtopic.php?p=1057695#p1057695

[RobertCL]

Hi Locarnus,

I'm unfortunately pretty underwhelming in the graphics aspect, and have not worked on western ally graphics so far.

I don't ask you to create icons from scratch, not at all.
Why not asking the permission to PaK mod creators to use the icons they use (or icons designers PaK mod uses) for British and US ground forces, then you will get Allied forces "in line" with the icons you use for Soviets and Germans.

Here we have original Pz Corps icons (a very old look) for Allied vs finetuned icons (a modern look) for Soviets and Germans, this makes the Pz Corps campaign quite weird in terms of look.
I have finished the panzer Corps campaign, the final scenario versus USA where all US units have original Pz Corps icons (excepted airplanes) : despite this graphic discrepancy, it was very pleasant.

The ability to play the original campaign + DLCs with your mod makes it outstanding (+ Battlefield Europe of Mc Guba of course).

Another question: The player can play all campaigns with your mod (AK, Soviet Corps) with one exception: Allied corps. Is it intended ? Honnestly I do not see any place on main screen to show it, so I guess it might be difficult.

Next major step is making your mod usable for Sea Lion campaign, Western DLCs and US Grand Campaign.
Maybe your primary interest is in German and Soviet units.
In AK, British units have the "old look" too. I think that using PaK icons would be perfect for Western units. Just my two cents...

[Locarnus]

My issue with western allies is that they imho do not really fit with PzC mechanics.
Eg supply issues would be very interesting for western allies, but PzC totally ignores that. Air war mechanics are also limited in PzC.
While upgrade options are an interesting PzC mechanics, but western allies are split between US and UK and their lineups are imho a bit underwhelming.

Similar issue for soviets, but for them the campaign arc is at least engaging. From the early crushing defeats to then becoming the steamroller.

Not sure if I eventually get around to doing more for them. It feels like lots of work for limited benefit.
Perhaps once I have done more for GC West.
The Soviet campaign and core would have been overwhelming if not for all the bits and pieces they got while doing BE and GC East.

[Locarnus]

edit: Oh, today marks 4 years since the start of the Addon!


Many fixes based on bug reports and feedback. Thank you very much for all the comments!

More soviet adjustments, eg more time appropriate starting units for Khalkin Gol (first Soviet Corps campaign mission, thanks to bondjamesbond for feedback replays). Very early Soviet and Japanese aircraft (for that mission) also rebalanced.
Several soviet aircraft can now switch, eg cannon armed Yak-7 and Yak-9 variants, as well as some strat bombers.

General hard attack nerf for cannon armed aircraft!

Last Do 217 bomber version is available earlier, but weaker.
And there are now two Do 217 switchable variants. One can switch between fighter mode and a weak strat bomber mode. The other can switch between even stronger fighter mode and air recon (strat bomber mode without attack values, but 3 spotting).



2025-08 Update "Locarnus Addon" Download: https://bit.ly/45dOh7B

This is only an update to the Addon and requires the 2025 base version of the Locarnus Addon to be installed already on top of BE 2.4 and the bugfixed PzC patch 1.32 first. All previous updates to the 2025 base version are included in this one.

Technical and graphics:
- Fixed more wrong finnish flags thanks to RobertCL
- Fixed install instructions thanks to AYM78
- Fixed Barbarossa scenario being shown as "France" thanks to RobertCL
- Some soviet historical unit pictures added & some corrected

Battlefield Europe, GC East, AK, SC & original PzC campaign compatibility
- Soviet Corps initial core is time appropriate (thank you bondjamesbond)
- BE fewer Arkhangelsk defenders (but Murmansk defenders activate)
- BE pre-campaign prestige carry over removed (thank you DONAR444)

Unit Changes (thanks to Anderkav suggestions and discussions):
- Nerfed hard attack of cannon armed aircraft (Ju 87 G, Hs 129, Yak-9T)
- Hs 129 B-3 also nerfed air defense
- Cannon Yak-7 & 9 rebalanced, can switch betw. fighter and tac modes
- Soviet SB-2 and DB-3/IL-4 strat bombers can switch to tac bomber mode
- Pe-8 more passive air attack, Yer-2 more air defense
- I-153 & I-16 rebalanced for Khalkin Gol
- Both japanese aircraft rebalanced for Nomonhan
- Bf 110 G-4+ a month later (Jan 1944)
- Do 217 K & M versions many months earlier (late 42, early 43)
- Some Do 17 and 217 stat adjustments (eg M has less air defense)
- Do 217 switchable J & N versions introduced (fighter to recon/bomber)
- 10.5cm GebH has 6 instead of 5 ammo
- Sov 76.2mm arties minor ini changes, F-22 earlier but less ammo
- Panzer IV H+ available two weeks later

[bondjamesbond]

edit: Oh, today marks 4 years since the start of the Addon!


Many fixes based on bug reports and feedback. Thank you very much for all the comments!

More soviet adjustments, eg more time appropriate starting units for Khalkin Gol (first Soviet Corps campaign mission, thanks to bondjamesbond for feedback replays). Very early Soviet and Japanese aircraft (for that mission) also rebalanced.
Several soviet aircraft can now switch, eg cannon armed Yak-7 and Yak-9 variants, as well as some strat bombers.

General hard attack nerf for cannon armed aircraft!

Last Do 217 bomber version is available earlier, but weaker.
And there are now two Do 217 switchable variants. One can switch between fighter mode and a weak strat bomber mode. The other can switch between even stronger fighter mode and air recon (strat bomber mode without attack values, but 3 spotting).



2025-08 Update "Locarnus Addon" Download: https://bit.ly/45dOh7B

This is only an update to the Addon and requires the 2025 base version of the Locarnus Addon to be installed already on top of BE 2.4 and the bugfixed PzC patch 1.32 first. All previous updates to the 2025 base version are included in this one.

Technical and graphics:
- Fixed more wrong finnish flags thanks to RobertCL
- Fixed install instructions thanks to AYM78
- Fixed Barbarossa scenario being shown as "France" thanks to RobertCL
- Some soviet historical unit pictures added & some corrected

Battlefield Europe, GC East, AK, SC & original PzC campaign compatibility
- Soviet Corps initial core is time appropriate (thank you bondjamesbond)
- BE fewer Arkhangelsk defenders (but Murmansk defenders activate)
- BE pre-campaign prestige carry over removed (thank you DONAR444)

Unit Changes (thanks to Anderkav suggestions and discussions):
- Nerfed hard attack of cannon armed aircraft (Ju 87 G, Hs 129, Yak-9T)
- Hs 129 B-3 also nerfed air defense
- Cannon Yak-7 & 9 rebalanced, can switch betw. fighter and tac modes
- Soviet SB-2 and DB-3/IL-4 strat bombers can switch to tac bomber mode
- Pe-8 more passive air attack, Yer-2 more air defense
- I-153 & I-16 rebalanced for Khalkin Gol
- Both japanese aircraft rebalanced for Nomonhan
- Bf 110 G-4+ a month later (Jan 1944)
- Do 217 K & M versions many months earlier (late 42, early 43)
- Some Do 17 and 217 stat adjustments (eg M has less air defense)
- Do 217 switchable J & N versions introduced (fighter to recon/bomber)
- 10.5cm GebH has 6 instead of 5 ammo
- Sov 76.2mm arties minor ini changes, F-22 earlier but less ammo
- Panzer IV H+ available two weeks later

https://dzen.ru/a/aCtpPVqIFFPw50kw
https://www.rosphoto.com/best-of-the-be ... voyna-2589
https://pantv.livejournal.com/1571857.html
https://waralbum.ru/photo/weapons/
https://foto-history.livejournal.com/17605413.html

Excellent! As I understand it, in the 2025-08 Update ‘Locarnus Addon’ cumulative and version 2025-07 Update ‘Locarnus Addon’ can be deleted!?

[Locarnus]

[...]
Excellent! As I understand it, in the 2025-08 Update ‘Locarnus Addon’ cumulative and version 2025-07 Update ‘Locarnus Addon’ can be deleted!?

Yes, each update contains all that years monthly updates. So 2025-08 fully replaces 2025-07.
Thus 2025-07 can be deleted.


Thank you for all the links. There is always something among them that I have not seen before, like those Leningrad balloons down on the street, compared to soldiers.

Always fascinating to see that a lot of equipment of ww2 was much smaller than its modern counterparts. Eg those british infantry tanks, or the rather small armored cars.
Thus the really big equipment of ww2 stood out a lot more back then. Like King Tiger tank or ML-20 gun barrel.

[bondjamesbond]

[...]
Excellent! As I understand it, in the 2025-08 Update ‘Locarnus Addon’ cumulative and version 2025-07 Update ‘Locarnus Addon’ can be deleted!?

Yes, each update contains all that years monthly updates. So 2025-08 fully replaces 2025-07.
Thus 2025-07 can be deleted.


Thank you for all the links. There is always something among them that I have not seen before, like those Leningrad balloons down on the street, compared to soldiers.

Always fascinating to see that a lot of equipment of ww2 was much smaller than its modern counterparts. Eg those british infantry tanks, or the rather small armored cars.
Thus the really big equipment of ww2 stood out a lot more back then. Like King Tiger tank or ML-20 gun barrel.

I accepted and updated to the latest version, deleting the old one.

Regarding photos, yes, it is my hobby to view photographs of military conflicts, especially if they are not encountered at every turn. As for love of gigantism, that's for the Germans and Adolf personally. However, big does not necessarily mean strong and powerful, as exemplified by the Soviet T-35 and the French monsters. It is always easier to hit a large target, but there are mobility issues because not every bridge can withstand the weight.


https://en.topwar.ru/92062-stalnye-mons ... ancii.html
I wonder how much fuel it takes to fill it up )))

Real monsters: the 12 largest tanks in history
https://spasibovsem.ru/ratings/interesn ... -istoriju/


It would have been better if they hadn't built such an armoured train right away )))
https://novate.ru/blogs/031120/56619/

https://www.techinsider.ru/history/1626 ... -parovozy/


Clearly a Soviet armoured train. A German swastika is painted over the star. Wehrmacht armoured trains.
https://web.archive.org/web/20150610231 ... p?id=13748


https://en.topwar.ru/182576-samaja-mosc ... -dora.html


http://otvaga2004.ru/boyevoe-primenenie ... x-na-more/

[DONAR444]

I've got some suggestions/questions.

Been putting more hours into this addon now, and thought that Luftwaffe-Felddivision might be a neat addon during later stages of the war. There were ~20 divisions of those after all.

Also, Trying to upgrade the StuG III to StuH 42 doesn't seem to be available at reduced price, the price to convert is the same as an entirely new unit, is that correct? It's the same chassis.

Thanks

[Locarnus]

Those gigantic vehicles have a special place in history!
I wonder if the capture of those giant french tanks influenced some of the later german ideas.

I've got some suggestions/questions.

Been putting more hours into this addon now, and thought that Luftwaffe-Felddivision might be a neat addon during later stages of the war. There were ~20 divisions of those after all.

Also, Trying to upgrade the StuG III to StuH 42 doesn't seem to be available at reduced price, the price to convert is the same as an entirely new unit, is that correct? It's the same chassis.

Thanks

Ah, yep, later infantry types could use some work.
Unfortunately the restrictive upgrade system in Battlefield Europe scenario means that many infantry will not be upgraded by the player. Since the player would need to move them back for upgrades. Thus there is little incentive to upgrade to a weak unit type when investing that time.

Most units are in different upgrade families depending on their mode.
Eg StuG III and StuH 42 are in the same Panzer III upgrade family when they are switched to tank mode, but in different upgrade families when they are in artillery mode.
Sadly Panzer Corps engine does not allow switching during the deployment phase at the start of a scenario. So the unit either has to be switched before the end of the last scenario. Or the upgrade has to happen during the scenario, in the special upgrade city hexes (cities with either the german cross in the bottom right corner, or cities with the double chevrons).

[DONAR444]

Some other thing I felt like pointing out from my personal experience.

The M10 seems way too powerful. IRL it has a *very* slow turret traverse speed, which would be extremely bad in offensive actions, yet it completely demolishes a PzIV backed up by arty.

Another thing, I think tank destroyers should always be able to switch between tank and AT mode, even after moving. They are supposed to be a defensive unit, but you can't use them defensively unless you already put them in place, then you have to wait an entire turn, which is like what? A week? Then you can set them to AT, and then after ending ANOTHER turn, their AT capability actually gets used..

[DONAR444]

Ah, yep, later infantry types could use some work.
Unfortunately the restrictive upgrade system in Battlefield Europe scenario means that many infantry will not be upgraded by the player. Since the player would need to move them back for upgrades. Thus there is little incentive to upgrade to a weak unit type when investing that time.

I mean as in, giving the player a new unit. The same way they get the Volkssturm for example. It doesn't have to be an upgrade. Just a new and cheap infantry unit to purchase.

[Locarnus]

Some other thing I felt like pointing out from my personal experience.

The M10 seems way too powerful. IRL it has a *very* slow turret traverse speed, which would be extremely bad in offensive actions, yet it completely demolishes a PzIV backed up by arty.

Another thing, I think tank destroyers should always be able to switch between tank and AT mode, even after moving. They are supposed to be a defensive unit, but you can't use them defensively unless you already put them in place, then you have to wait an entire turn, which is like what? A week? Then you can set them to AT, and then after ending ANOTHER turn, their AT capability actually gets used..

Ah, yeah, the M10 turret is painfully slow. Could use a small nerf for that.
Still better than no turret, but not much, since turret usually adds height as well.
I guess the fight against Panzer IV had some really bad luck (or old Panzer IV in Battlefield Europe), since contemporary Panzer IV would still have some defense advantage.

I agree, the current tank destroyer balancing has problems.
I'm just not sure how to find a better way within Panzer Corps game engine limitations.

For defensive use I have to keep the towed anti-tank guns in mind as well. With the PzC 1 engine, those towed units also need a turn to move into position with their transports and only after that can switch to camo AT mode. Giving the tank destroyers more mobility for the camo mode would make the towed AT guns even more useless.

Unfortunately the Panzer Corps engine generally gives the attacker many advantages, while making life difficult for the defender (eg reinforcements mechanic). I would prefer it to be more balanced in that regard, but some things can't be modded.

I mean as in, giving the player a new unit. The same way they get the Volkssturm for example. It doesn't have to be an upgrade. Just a new and cheap infantry unit to purchase.

Ah, understood. Will put that on my todo list!

[bondjamesbond]

One interesting fact: German tank aces who had destroyed 100 or more enemy tanks fought either in Tigers (15 people) or in StuG III self-propelled guns (2 people: Hans Sandrock – 123 victories, Fritz Lang – 113 victories).
https://inosmi.ru/20160924/237912569.html
https://wio.ru/galgrnd/artill/ww2/ww2s.htm


A little German humour.
https://battlefield.ru/tank-armament.html

[Locarnus]

[...]
One interesting fact: German tank aces who had destroyed 100 or more enemy tanks fought either in Tigers (15 people) or in StuG III self-propelled guns (2 people: Hans Sandrock – 123 victories, Fritz Lang – 113 victories).
https://inosmi.ru/20160924/237912569.html
https://wio.ru/galgrnd/artill/ww2/ww2s.htm

[...]
A little German humour.
https://battlefield.ru/tank-armament.html

Love those drawings.
Yep, really astonishing that the StuG led to all those kill counts, instead of the Panzer IV and Panther which were also produced in numbers. The defender should imho get some kind of bonus in general, not only when that in-game ambush is triggered or entrenchment is higher. With Panzer Corps engine, the attacker can focus fire arty and use mass attack ini bonus to consistently take less damage than the defender.



This is the first unit roster version, where mainly the straight forward upgrade options are listed.
Just to have a starting point for discussion and further thoughts.

Eg 4 stars seem out of reach for infantry in general. Some of them would need to be changed to arties to achieve 4 stars, but that is a costly option.
While some arties have a comfortable 4 stars, including 2 without range heroes that may have to become something else. Question is, should they stay on to reach 5 stars before becoming something else?

Similar questions for the aircraft. The fighters struggle with experience, while the strat bombers have a lot of it.
But for fighters the 5th star would be especially useful due to the initiative and attack value boosts.
Imho the strats close to 5 stars should reach that before then waiting to become a late war fighter.
Slender1870 should imho gain more experience as a Ju 188 A-2 and then also become a lat war fighter.
While the worst fighters should take over strat bomber duties, perhaps even as a He 177.
Though this switcheroo is even more expensive for aircraft than for ground units.



goose_2 youtube playthrough GC Napoleon difficulty
GC 1944e1 start upgrade recommendations
5758 prestige, after elite replacements to full strength for all understrength units and selling excess captured units.

red marker for a) no or 1 hero, b) <800 kills, c) <350 experience
blue marker for a) 3 heroes, b) >=1500 kills, c) >= 450 experience

UnitType ....... transport ... Hero ... SubscriberName ... KillCounter ... Experience with elite replacements


45 Ground units

8 non-hero bonus SE units
Std Nimrod+ r11 ............... a3s1 ... Brodrick ............. 1416 ... 351
Std Brückenpio 43 ............ d1d2 ... PatrickLee ............ 974 ... 348 ... ==> RSO /Pak40 ?
Std P26/40(i) ................... i1d2 ... Dimitri ................ 842 ... 359 ... ==> Std Pz III M+ ?
Std Marder III M .................. m1 ... PaulWilde ............ 695 ... 321 ... ==> Std Gepard r12 ?
Std Flakpanzer I r12 .......... m1a3 ... Makorin ............. 1240 ... 408
7.5 FK 16 nA r11 ... Horse ....... ?? ... Eskuche ............... 154 ... 311 ... ==> Std 42M Toldi IIa ?
plus 2 non-hero bonus SE units for GC East 44 & 45 grand campaign chapters

6 Infantry
Pioniere 43 ......... Blitz+ ....... m1 ... Soljaism ............. 870 ... 316
Grenadiere 43 ..... Sd250/1+ ... d2 ... RichardMartin ....... 865 ... 325
Jäger 43 ......................... m1d2 ... Artemis .............. 777 ... 330
Fallschirmjäger 43 .............. i1a2 ... Pullig ................. 915 ... 314
Kradschützen 43 ................... a1 ... PeteMitchell ......... 832 ... 339
Sahariana 43 ....................... a2 ... Kostia ................. 772 ... 313

0 Towed AT

2 Recon
Panzer II L 5cm r9 ................. i1 ... Blast ................... 752 ... 403 ... ==> Pz II 44
SdKfz 233+ r9 .................... s1s1 ... DanielS ................ 793 ... 372 ... ==> SdKfz 234/2 Puma ?

10 Tanks
Panther A dg ....................... a2 ... Kapl ..................... 454 ... 321
Panther D ........................ d1d3 ... Festival ................. 986 ... 404
Tiger I E .......................... d2a3 ... Temis .................... 949 ... 430
Tiger P+ s8 ......................... m1 ... ElBaron ................. 940 ... 413 ... ==> Tiger P++ s8
Ferdinand s8 .................... m1d2 ... Gooseboy ............. 1147 ... 362
Flammpz III 43 r12 ............. m1a2 ... NightPhoenix ......... 1036 ... 359 ... ==> Flammpz III 44 r12 or StuH 44 ?
StuG III G+ ....................... i1m1 ... DoktorG ............... 1048 ... 372 ... ==> StuG III G 44
Panzer IV H ....................... s1a2 ... Rimski ................. 1051 ... 312 ... ==> Panzer IV H+ or StuG IV ?
Nashorn ........................... a1i1 ... ForestLaw ............. 1010 ... 440 ... ==> Nashorn 44
SU-85(r) ............................. a3 ... 7Bowls .................. 949 ... 314
KV-85(r) .......................... d2d2 ... Paramecium .......... 1003 ... 319

11 Mobile Arty
Hummel r8 .......................... s1 ... Soren ................... 647 ... 285 ... ==> Hummel 44 r8
Grille r8 ............................ m1 ... PanzerVorwärts ....... 754 ... 363
Wespe ............................ m1d2 ... Goose .................. 936 ... 365
Lorraine GW r8 .................... m1 ... Reoguru ................ 590 ... 364
Brummbär r8 ..................... a2a2 ... Locarnus .............. 747 ... 387 ... ==> Brummbär 44 r8
StuIG 33B r8 ......................... r1 ... RayCaster ............. 675 ... 464
10.5 leFH auf B2(f) ............. m1a2 ... Pierre .................. 752 ... 421
Semovente 105/25 ................. d2 ... RightSide .............. 654 ... 425
Panzerwerfer 42 r12 ............... a3 ... Singer .................. 674 ... 363
Wurfrahmen 43 r8 ................ r1r1 ... Dneos .................. 891 ... 452

5 Towed Arty
7.62 FK 288(r) r11 . Sd251/1+ . m1a2 ... Gigiduru ............... 754 ... 395
10.5cm Polish arty . Blitz ....... s1a3 ... MichalGolaszewski ... 867 ... 458
10.5cm leFH 18M ... Horse ....... m1 ... Raunosavolainen ..... 778 ... 474
15 sFH range3 r8 .... Sd7 .......... r1 ... Raduku ................. 555 ... 435
21cm Mrs 18 r5 ...... Sd8 ......... m1 ... Kei ...................... 818 ... 409


3 Anti-Air
8.8cm Flak 41 ........ Sd7 .... m1m1 ... Jemhadar .............. 907 ... 343
Cannone 90/53 r8 ... TP40 ....... a2 ... Zyavoo .................. 735 ... 326
SdKfz 7/2+ r11 ................... a3a1 ... MalcolmRichardson ... 861 ... 361


15 Airforce

8 Single engine Fighters & Fighter Bomber
Bf 109 G-6+ ......................... d3 ... vonThüringen ....... 670 ... 373
Bf 109 F-4+ ......................... d3 ... CouchOffiziell ....... 548 ... 342
Fw 190 A-5 ......................... a2 ... MafujKhan ............ 658 ... 353 ... ==> Fw 190 A-7
Fw 190 F-3 ......................... d2 ... Alvarez ................ 444 ... 330
Re.2005 .......................... a3a3 ... Noxush ................ 810 ... 405 ... ==> Re.2005+
G.55 Centauro ..................... a2 ... BlackVulture ......... 633 ... 371
+ 2x bonus SE hero fighters in 1945

2 Multi engine Fighter Bomber
Me 410 A-1/U2 ..................... d1 ... FighterAce ............ 758 ... 346
Ju 88 R-2 .......................... i1i1 ... Slender1870 ........... 765 ... 416 ... ==> Ju 188 A-2 ?

2 Dedicated Tac Bomber
Hs 129 B-2 BK .................... a3a1 ... AratoBela ............ 1061 ... 381
Ju 87 G-2 r9 ...................... a1d3 ... cmbbfan ............... 977 ... 370

1 Tac/Strat Bomber
Ju 188 E-1 ........................... a1 ... AI181 .................... 581 ... 498 ... ==> Ju 188 A-2 ?

2 Dedicated Strat Bomber
Do 217 M ............................. d1 ... Richard ................. 405 ... 459 ... ==> Do 217 N-1 or N-2 ?
He 111 H-16 ......................... a1 ... RMA901 ................. 536 ... 492

[bondjamesbond]

Just for argument's sake, in order to be successful, the attacking side must outnumber the defending side by at least three to one. However, in our case, the situation is slightly different, as the AI of our favourite game is not very sophisticated, resulting in a comical scenario where our 300 Spartans must attack the AI horde. If you've noticed, the AI always buys cheap units unless special scripts are written, and sometimes it just spawns clones of these cheap and useless units to block our path. Well, it's still a game, and it's a very difficult task to balance, realism and playability.

[DONAR444]

A little German humour.

*Cries in PaK43*

[Locarnus]

Just for argument's sake, in order to be successful, the attacking side must outnumber the defending side by at least three to one. However, in our case, the situation is slightly different, as the AI of our favourite game is not very sophisticated, resulting in a comical scenario where our 300 Spartans must attack the AI horde. If you've noticed, the AI always buys cheap units unless special scripts are written, and sometimes it just spawns clones of these cheap and useless units to block our path. Well, it's still a game, and it's a very difficult task to balance, realism and playability.

Yeah, the current AI would be game breakingly useless when attacking, if the defender mechanics would be stronger.



15 Airforce

8 Single engine Fighters & Fighter Bomber
Bf 109 G-6+ ......................... d3 ... vonThüringen ....... 670 ... 373
Bf 109 F-4+ ......................... d3 ... CouchOffiziell ....... 548 ... 342
Fw 190 A-5 ......................... a2 ... MafujKhan ............ 658 ... 353 ... ==> Fw 190 A-7
Fw 190 F-3 ......................... d2 ... Alvarez ................ 444 ... 330
Re.2005 .......................... a3a3 ... Noxush ................ 810 ... 405 ... ==> Re.2005+
G.55 Centauro ..................... a2 ... BlackVulture ......... 633 ... 371
+ 2x bonus SE hero fighters in 1945

2 Multi engine Fighter Bomber
Me 410 A-1/U2 ..................... d1 ... FighterAce ............ 758 ... 346
Ju 88 R-2 .......................... i1i1 ... Slender1870 ........... 765 ... 416 ... ==> Ju 188 A-2 during 44e1

2 Dedicated Tac Bomber
Hs 129 B-2 BK .................... a3a1 ... AratoBela ............ 1061 ... 381
Ju 87 G-2 r9 ...................... a1d3 ... cmbbfan ............... 977 ... 370

1 Tac/Strat Bomber
Ju 188 E-1 ........................... a1 ... AI181 .................... 581 ... 498 ... ==> Ju 88 R-2 during 44e1 then Ju 88 G-1 in 44e2

2 Dedicated Strat Bomber
Do 217 M ............................. d1 ... Richard ................. 405 ... 459 ... ==> Do 217 N-1 or N-2 ?
He 111 H-16 ......................... a1 ... RMA901 ................. 536 ... 492


@goose_2
Hm, the airforce experience issue is a real problem.
Major new upgrade families only become available very late.

Due to the campaign timeline, even the Me 262 in late August 1944 is only available for the last GC 44 East scenario.
He 162 jet fighter from 45e7 and Do 335 fighter bomber from 45e9 (Seelow Heights).

While two of your strats will reach 5 stars well before that (AI181 in Ju 188 and RMA 901 in He 111).
And cmbbfan in Ju 87 will be outdated soon. He could become the He 177 instead as he already has 2 heroes. No need to deploy him anymore until then
Two Bf 109 are also not working out, similar to two Pz IV. The bonus SE hero fighters in 45 are set to Bf 109 (best Bf 109 K-4+ at the start of 45). So at least one of them should become something switchable to strat bomber in the near future, like the Ju 88?

edit: Slender1870 should be changed to strat bomber and deployed until reaching 5 stars. With his double ini hero bonus and 5 stars he would be an ideal vanguard fighter. While AI181 can train up kills in the Ju 88 R-2 and the Ju 88 G-1 from next scenario onwards.
But make the switcheroo during Korsun breakout scenario, so AI181 can reach 5 stars first (for that air attack bonus).

[Locarnus]

8 non-hero bonus SE units
Std Nimrod+ r11 ............... a3s1 ... Brodrick ............. 1416 ... 351
Std Brückenpio 43 ............ d1d2 ... PatrickLee ............ 974 ... 348 ... ==> RSO /Pak40 ?
Std P26/40(i) ................... i1d2 ... Dimitri ................ 842 ... 359 ... ==> Std Pz III M+ ?
Std Marder III M .................. m1 ... PaulWilde ............ 695 ... 321 ... ==> Std Gepard r12 ?
Std Flakpanzer I r12 .......... m1a3 ... Makorin ............. 1240 ... 408
7.5 FK 16 nA r11 ... Horse ....... ?? ... Eskuche ............... 154 ... 311 ... ==> Std 42M Toldi IIa ?
plus 2 non-hero bonus SE units for GC East 44 & 45 grand campaign chapters

Force loaded new bonus SE unit has to become the only bonus SE arty as soon as possible, if you want to keep it.
Not sure about the other units and their upgrade options. Current suggestions above have been selected for low upgrade costs. And keeping in mind that your regular infantry struggles with experience gains, so I did not want to add an inf here (would have done so otherwise with the Brückenpio to regular inf).

With that 4 digit prestige level, using the new open bonus SE spot to force load and sell for prestige is not a bad idea.
With the bonus SE fighter hero in 45e1, that will not be possible anymore.
And now there are at least some bonus SE units worth 400 prestige. Doing that 10 times in 1944 would give you about 4000 extra prestige. Not great, not terrible.

[Locarnus]

6 Infantry
Pioniere 43 ......... Blitz+ ....... m1 ... Soljaism ............. 870 ... 316
Grenadiere 43 ..... Sd250/1+ ... d2 ... RichardMartin ....... 865 ... 325
Jäger 43 ......................... m1d2 ... Artemis .............. 777 ... 330
Fallschirmjäger 43 .............. i1a2 ... Pullig ................. 915 ... 314
Kradschützen 43 ................... a1 ... PeteMitchell ......... 832 ... 339
Sahariana 43 ....................... a2 ... Kostia ................. 772 ... 313


Infantry is imho the most worrysome category.
I guess a big issue is the lack of a path from infantry to artillery class. It would cost full prestige to convert to Kübelwagen and then full prestige to convert to an artillery.
While most tank chassis can directly convert to an in-family artillery at very limited costs.

Therefore I'm working on adding those infantry mortars as a crossover class, based on the Soviet 120mm one. They probably have very limited usefulness on their own, but they would act as a bridge between infantry and artillery.

So that your infantry units with 2 heroes already can take an excursion to artillery for experience training.
Might also lead to you having some more towed artillery again.

[Locarnus]

0 Towed AT

2 Recon
Panzer II L 5cm r9 ................. i1 ... Blast ................... 752 ... 403 ... ==> Pz II 44
SdKfz 233+ r9 .................... s1s1 ... DanielS ................ 793 ... 372 ... ==> SdKfz 234/2 Puma ?

10 Tanks
Panther A dg ....................... a2 ... Kapl ..................... 454 ... 321
Panther D ........................ d1d3 ... Festival ................. 986 ... 404
Tiger I E .......................... d2a3 ... Temis .................... 949 ... 430
Tiger P+ s8 ......................... m1 ... ElBaron ................. 940 ... 413 ... ==> Tiger P++ s8
Ferdinand s8 .................... m1d2 ... Gooseboy ............. 1147 ... 362
Flammpz III 43 r12 ............. m1a2 ... NightPhoenix ......... 1036 ... 359 ... ==> Flammpz III 44 r12 or StuH 44 ?
StuG III G+ ....................... i1m1 ... DoktorG ............... 1048 ... 372 ... ==> StuG III G 44
Panzer IV H ....................... s1a2 ... Rimski ................. 1051 ... 312 ... ==> Panzer IV H+ or StuG IV ?
Nashorn ........................... a1i1 ... ForestLaw ............. 1010 ... 440 ... ==> Nashorn 44
SU-85(r) ............................. a3 ... 7Bowls .................. 949 ... 314
KV-85(r) .......................... d2d2 ... Paramecium .......... 1003 ... 319

11 Mobile Arty
Hummel r8 .......................... s1 ... Soren ................... 647 ... 285 ... ==> Hummel 44 r8
Grille r8 ............................ m1 ... PanzerVorwärts ....... 754 ... 363
Wespe ............................ m1d2 ... Goose .................. 936 ... 365
Lorraine GW r8 .................... m1 ... Reoguru ................ 590 ... 364
Brummbär r8 ..................... a2a2 ... Locarnus .............. 747 ... 387 ... ==> Brummbär 44 r8
StuIG 33B r8 ......................... r1 ... RayCaster ............. 675 ... 464
10.5 leFH auf B2(f) ............. m1a2 ... Pierre .................. 752 ... 421
Semovente 105/25 ................. d2 ... RightSide .............. 654 ... 425
Panzerwerfer 42 r12 ............... a3 ... Singer .................. 674 ... 363
Wurfrahmen 43 r8 ................ r1r1 ... Dneos .................. 891 ... 452

5 Towed Arty
7.62 FK 288(r) r11 . Sd251/1+ . m1a2 ... Gigiduru ............... 754 ... 395
10.5cm Polish arty . Blitz ....... s1a3 ... MichalGolaszewski ... 867 ... 458
10.5cm leFH 18M ... Horse ....... m1 ... Raunosavolainen ..... 778 ... 474
15 sFH range3 r8 .... Sd7 .......... r1 ... Raduku ................. 555 ... 435
21cm Mrs 18 r5 ...... Sd8 ......... m1 ... Kei ...................... 818 ... 409


3 Anti-Air
8.8cm Flak 41 ........ Sd7 .... m1m1 ... Jemhadar .............. 907 ... 343
Cannone 90/53 r8 ... TP40 ....... a2 ... Zyavoo .................. 735 ... 326
SdKfz 7/2+ r11 ................... a3a1 ... MalcolmRichardson ... 861 ... 361

NightPhoenix and Rimski already have 2 heroes and 1000 kills, so StuH 44 and StuG IV allows more experience gain in arty mode, while retaining direct fire option.
Soren is the only unit here with less than 3 stars.
7Bowls could try to get the 2nd hero and then go back to SU-122 for experience gain.

The towed arties close to 5 stars should imho train up to 5 stars before taking another role. Because it is so hard to gain experience in non-arty roles when already at level 4.

Not sure about the anti air units, that also have a hard time gaining experience.