The pop returns formula makes GS extremely damaging over time. Given that troops cost so much more to maintain, and it steals resources, and is used for more kills than other attacks, it seems unbalanced. BR and AB don't return resources to the attacking country.
I brought this up because I got GSd and SRd a ton in response to a single grab by someone apparently attempting a solo kill. I laughed it off when I saw the news, but three days later I'm still not recovered and I'm not laughing anymore. Had he gone with AB/bomb buildings I could understand being crippled this long, but my pop gains are still accelerating now (and I have tons of res tech). And I had a decent amount of both troops and tanks onhand.
Well you mishandled your recovery. Assuming that you wanted to enjoy production (of bushels, tech, oil or units) you needed to get rid of the residential. As discussed in the thread linked above and another thread in the strategy room you need to bring down maximum pop while recovering which you achieve by getting rid of Residential and setting tax to 70%.
It's a bit counter-intuitive but that is how it now works.
I am supposed to just sell off the tech I spent many days getting to a badass level?
yes or suffer cause pop =/= near max
That...
I don't like that. I could see needing a certain amount of pop to man your industries/banks/labs or whatever, but why tie it to the max pop instead of a % of buildings? Like maybe 350% or something?