Yeah, it was kinda recent, but now they have more DPS in melee than range, here:
French ones get even better, they can increase it to almost twice the melee amount (And still get imperial tech).
Humbaracis also have high melee damage (Fire throwers don’t), though they lose the area of effect (but higher base damage).
Just remember to not use them against cavalry, they may be heavy infantry, but they are not halberdiers.
I will defend the strategy whenever you show up, so take a note before demanding “rebalance” to whatever unit YOU don’t know how to use…
No, not every civ get’s useful grenadiers (Spain and italy have no unique buffs to make them worth investing) and indeed, you need the hand mortar card for them.
But you CAN still use them competitively, especially with the civs that I listed (Unlike mantlets lol).
I’m… not sure, he didn’t respond to a treaty revenge round…
You rushed me 
This topic is perhaps too deviated from the original purpose (Hunter wanting to improve his Russian strategy (I think that’s what he wanted…)).
New topic → when should we “close” a topic? 