MB> Tate Battle Hardens (BH) conscripts. This would be my last choice. I would always harden 447s to 458s. The Russians need high morale troops outside the factories, too.
BY> BH the 447s to 458s. It's the way to go. Conscripts serve one purpose, soak up the FT shots in the factory where they have decent morale. You only get a few conscript COY and there are lots of factories to defend. They'll not live past the big factories anyways. 458s on the other hand, are manly troopers for this game. They defend nicely in the factories, they stack well with commissars, and can attack w/a reasonable chance of success.
MB> Why would anyone BH conscripts?
PM> Because conscripts make up most of the losses. Because conscripts have 3 MF while first line squads have 4 MF. Because conscripts are lax and inexperienced (decreases B#) while 527s are stealthy and get assault and spray fire. Because the 527s have one higher ML GO and two higher if broken. Because conscripts are useless except in the factories where they are marginally useful. Outside the factories they disrupt and have an irritating tendency to die when they won't rout away. Outside the factories they're only good for being targets.
PM> 458s may be cool, but promoting conscripts makes them useful instead of being dead during the next scenario.