What are the point of guard rifle infantry?

[| FM. Vinh Huale]

So I have been playing this game for a while now and still haven't figured out how guard rifles are worth it.

They cost 360 MP, has PTRS, but can be upgraded with DPs

Meanwhile Penals cost 300 MP, can be upgraded with PTRS but has the anti-tank satchel charge which is very effective against armor.

i just don't see how guards can be worth it. Let me know how you feel

[Katitoff]

Guards are primarily anti infantry unit and offer supportive AT, their PTRS have high accuracy, never miss vehicles and are useful vs infantry.

Penals have much lower AI dps, which is even lower with PTRS upgrade.

[Darky]

Well, Guards PTRS' is part of their summoning cost, and it is only slightly weaker than their normal rifles against infantry. Defensive positions increases their accuracy and fire rate, so 3 Guards with the veteran ability can deter most anything, particularly since many Guard doctrines come with Mark Target already.

You can also merge Conscripts into them instead of reinforcing to reduce your replacement costs and then Guards are more or less superior to Conscripts and most other Axis squads.

AT satchel has poor range and you often won't be able to throw it against competent opponents.

[Heimdall313]

Guards Rifles have 6 PTRS at spawn, Penals have 2 PTRS / 4 SVT after upgrade. Guards are also more accurate iirc. Guards with LMG upgrade still have double the vehicle damage of Penals, and Button Vehicle can stun tanks to blast with a Zis-3, SU-85, IL-2 bomb run, or a Penal satchel. LMG doesn't fire on the move. Guards are also quite competent against infantry with LMG upgrade, save for elite anti-infantry squads. Quite good in halftracks as well. PTRS rifles are also good against buildings and bunkers. Their grenade is garbage though.

Penals are non-doctrinal, and should be your main infantry to engage other infantry unless you have upgraded Conscripts (SVT or PPSh). Satchels are demolition to bomb garrisoned buildings and bunkers if you don't have a SU-76 or tank with you, or if you need to blow a bridge. SU-85 and Zis-3 are your main anti-tank, PTRS Penals have a better snare than conscripts to blow engines. Vehicle satchel also skyrockets your vet level.

Guards are generally pretty good against nearly any target, and Button Vehicle is stupidly useful. Penals are solid anti-infantry with demolition options that can be used in a pinch against tanks.
Guards are honestly very useful, reliable units.

[Zack]

Originally posted by Dave Davidson:

Originally posted by Heimdall313:

Guards Rifles have 6 PTRS at spawn

You sure about that? I think it's 4 rifles (not sure if SVT or not) with 2 PTRS.

It's 2 PTRS and 4 mosins (pretty sure) but the upgrade replaces 2 of the mosins with DPs.

[Heimdall313]

I might be wrong, often am lol.
Either way, guards are pretty good, well rounded, and useful for nearly anything. Button Vehicle is very useful, and they pair well with Penals anyway. Stun vehicle, bomb with Penals, or enjoy the paralysis with Zis-3 or SU-85. Hell, SU-76 also has pretty good pen and enjoys a stunned target.
Guards Rifle are a boon on any commander.

[Brutalist Ape]

Originally posted by Darky:

AT satchel has poor range and you often won't be able to throw it against competent opponents.

I got a lot of satchel kills. It is very useful if you're using penals and tanks together. Enemies are often over-confident in 4v4 games, throwing units forward into path of my units. Satchel causes engine damage to the enemy tank, they can't retreat fast enough, my T34/85s finish the job. BOOM! Enemy tank destroyed.

[Heimdall313]

Originally posted by Brutalist Ape:

Originally posted by Darky:

AT satchel has poor range and you often won't be able to throw it against competent opponents.

I got a lot of satchel kills. It is very useful if you're using penals and tanks together. Enemies are often over-confident in 4v4 games, throwing units forward into path of my units. Satchel causes engine damage to the enemy tank, they can't retreat fast enough, my T34/85s finish the job. BOOM! Enemy tank destroyed.

This, my penals usually get better vehicle damage than infantry damage lol. Sucks when they suicide bomb my penals though.
Commander with Guards / 120mm Mortar / T-34/85 is probably my favorite overall, just so many options. Stun, satchel, blast with 85mm cannons

[Pantarma]

Guards are all around infantry that can deal with tanks and infantry at same time fighting at long range plus grenades, while penals can get PTRS rifles it lowers their anti infantry capabilties when penals get PTRS they become useless against infantry guards wont have that issue even without DP upgrade. Also both penals and guards costs the same to reinforce 27mp or something