Its so simple I can't believe its never been proposed.

Shooting your large cannon causes any active hardeners to go into immediate cool down.

tank v tank is still equal , neither tanker has the benefit of a hardener while dealing damage

tank vs infantry is still viable until AV (existing damage even) appears. A tank can still choose fight or flight at this point.

scenario 1
both tank and av are viable in this scenario

a tank is wrecking a group of infantry,
an AV infantry appears to answer to this tank
the tank can still easily gun down solo AV, but would fall prey to a team of coordinated AV (a real risk not like the current model)

if the tank chooses to run and use a hardener there is incentive to move to a safer location, as dithering between fight and flight would waste a hardener, AV still get to deter tanks without killing them constantly. a more balanced battlefield.

the tanker if successful at killing or detering the AV group or solo AV wielder would still be able to dominate the infantry battling on foot.

scenario 2
tank v tank is still viable and actually becomes a richer experience in this scenario

a tank meets another tank on the battlefield.

neither tank benefits from a hardener while dealing damage the playing field is still even.
this would open up more imaginative load outs of tank modules.
a clever tanker could activate their hardener and bait the the other tank until they must reload then turn the tide. This adds relevency to having a finite clip of ammo.

scenario 3
in this scenario passengers are an advantage again as intended

an enemy tank or team of av appear to fight your tank off

you activate your hardener and your passengers go on the assault with small turrets.

the AV crew would be in serious trouble. but you sacrifice a lot of dominance by fitting these turrets.
The enemy tank not having the benefit of a hardener whilst dealing large cannon damage could still be in big trouble with the right load of small turrets.


discuss.