Story Characters (Allied & Axis)
Understanding the key players in Call of Duty 3 is crucial for appreciating the narrative and even for anticipating certain mission dynamics. While you'll primarily be playing as a silent protagonist in various Allied campaigns, the characters around you provide context, objectives, and often, critical support. This section details the main Allied and Axis figures you'll encounter, offering insights into their roles and how their presence might impact your gameplay.
Allied Forces
American Forces (101st Airborne Division)
- Pvt. Nichols: Your primary playable character for the American campaign. Nichols is a fresh recruit thrust into the chaos of the Normandy breakout.
- Role: Infantryman, often tasked with frontline assaults and securing objectives.
- Gameplay Tips: As Nichols, you'll frequently be part of a squad pushing forward. Stick close to your squadmates, especially during the initial assaults in missions like "St. Lo" or "The Crossroads," as they provide covering fire and draw enemy attention. Utilize the M1 Garand for its stopping power and the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) when suppressing multiple enemies is necessary.
- Sgt. Frank McCullin: Nichols' squad leader. McCullin is a seasoned veteran, often providing direct orders and tactical guidance.
- Role: Squad leader, mission objective giver.
- Gameplay Tips: Listen carefully to McCullin's commands. He often points out key enemy positions or strategic advantages. For example, in "The Crossroads," when he orders you to flank a machine gun nest, following his direction precisely will save you significant health and ammunition.
- Cpl. Mike Dixon: A fellow squadmate, often seen providing support fire.
- Role: Squad support.
- Gameplay Tips: Dixon, like other squad members, can be a good indicator of enemy presence. If he's laying down heavy fire, expect strong resistance in that direction. Use his suppressive fire to your advantage to move between cover.
- Pvt. Sal Ripper: Another member of your American squad.
- Role: Squad support.
- Gameplay Tips: Ripper, along with Dixon, helps maintain a cohesive front. In missions like "Mayenne Bridge," when you're tasked with clearing buildings, ensure your squad has a clear line of sight before advancing too far, as they'll help clear rooms.
British Forces (SAS)
- Sgt. James Doyle: Your playable character for the British campaign. Doyle is an experienced SAS operative, often involved in covert operations and sabotage.
- Role: Special operations, demolition expert.
- Gameplay Tips: Doyle's missions often involve stealth and precision. In "The Black Baron," when tasked with planting explosives, prioritize taking out patrolling guards silently with your Welrod suppressed pistol before approaching the target. When engaging in direct combat, the Sten Mk. II (Suppressed) is invaluable for close-quarters engagements without alerting distant enemies.
- Major Gerald Ingram: Doyle's commanding officer, providing mission briefings and strategic objectives.
- Role: Mission commander.
- Gameplay Tips: Ingram's briefings are critical for understanding the overall mission scope. Pay attention to the details, especially regarding enemy patrols or specific demolition targets.
- Pvt. Duncan Keith: A member of Doyle's SAS team, often assisting with demolition or providing covering fire.
- Role: SAS operative, support.
- Gameplay Tips: Keith is often with you during critical moments, such as planting charges. Ensure the area is clear before initiating the planting sequence, as he will cover you but can be overwhelmed.
Canadian Forces (4th Armoured Division)
- Pvt. Joe Cole: Your playable character for the Canadian campaign. Cole is a new recruit, similar to Nichols, but often part of armored thrusts and infantry assaults.
- Role: Infantryman, often involved in tank support and urban combat.
- Gameplay Tips: Cole's missions frequently involve fighting alongside Sherman tanks. Use the tanks as mobile cover and prioritize eliminating anti-tank infantry (recognizable by their Panzerfausts or Panzerschrecks) before they can damage your armored support. The Bren LMG is an excellent choice for suppressing enemy positions and providing sustained fire.
- Cpl. Jean-Guy Robichaud: Cole's squad leader, a pragmatic and experienced NCO.
- Role: Squad leader, objective giver.
- Gameplay Tips: Robichaud often leads the charge. Follow his lead, especially when clearing buildings in missions like "Foret d'Ecouves." He'll often breach first, allowing you to follow up with grenades or concentrated fire.
- Pvt. Kyle Peterson: A member of Cole's Canadian squad.
- Role: Squad support.
- Gameplay Tips: Peterson, like other squadmates, can draw fire. Use this to your advantage to flank enemies or reload safely.
Polish Forces (1st Armoured Division)
- Cpl. Bohater: Your playable character for the Polish campaign. Bohater is a tank crewman, primarily involved in armored combat.
- Role: Tank crewman (loader, driver, gunner).
- Gameplay Tips: Bohater's missions are unique as you'll spend significant time inside a Sherman tank.
- Loader: Focus on rapid reloading of the main gun. Keep an eye on the shell type (HE for infantry/light vehicles, AP for tanks) and switch as needed.
- Driver: Navigate carefully, using cover and avoiding open fields where you're vulnerable to anti-tank weapons.
- Gunner: Prioritize enemy tanks and anti-tank guns. Use the coaxial machine gun for infantry. Aim for weak spots on enemy tanks (sides, rear) for quicker kills.
- Sgt. 1st Class Janek: Bohater's tank commander, providing orders and target designations.
- Role: Tank commander, objective giver.
- Gameplay Tips: Janek's commands are vital for tank combat. When he calls out a target, prioritize it immediately. He'll also warn you of incoming fire or flanking maneuvers.
Axis Forces (Wehrmacht & Waffen-SS)
While you don't play as Axis characters, understanding their typical roles and equipment will help you devise effective strategies against them.
- Standard Wehrmacht Infantry:
- Appearance: Typically wear field grey uniforms.
- Weapons: Kar98k rifle, MP40 submachine gun, StG44 assault rifle.
- Strategy: These are your most common enemies. They often use cover effectively. Prioritize headshots with precision rifles or use grenades to flush them out of entrenched positions.
- Waffen-SS Troops:
- Appearance: Often distinguished by camouflage patterns or specific insignia. Generally more aggressive.
- Weapons: Similar to Wehrmacht, but often more heavily armed with StG44s and MG42s.
- Strategy: SS troops are often found in key defensive positions or leading counter-attacks. Expect heavier resistance and more coordinated pushes. Use cover, suppressive fire, and flank maneuvers.
- Machine Gunners:
- Appearance: Operate MG42 or MG34 heavy machine guns, often from fixed positions or bipods.
- Weapons: MG42, MG34.
- Strategy: Machine gun nests are deadly. Never approach them head-on. Use smoke grenades for cover, flank them, or use explosives (frag grenades, TNT) to neutralize them. A well-placed sniper shot can also take out the gunner.
- Anti-Tank Infantry:
- Appearance: Often carry distinctive anti-tank weapons.
- Weapons: Panzerfaust, Panzerschreck.
- Strategy: These enemies are a priority, especially during tank missions or when your squad is exposed. They can destroy vehicles and inflict heavy damage on infantry. Listen for their distinctive rocket launch sound and eliminate them quickly.
- Snipers:
- Appearance: Often positioned in elevated or concealed locations.
- Weapons: Scoped Kar98k.
- Strategy: Snipers can be devastating, especially on higher difficulties. Look for muzzle flashes or glints from their scopes. Use cover and move erratically. Once located, use your own sniper rifle or a well-aimed burst from an assault rifle to take them out.
- Tank Crews:
- Appearance: Inside Panzer IV or Tiger I tanks.
- Weapons: Tank main gun, coaxial machine gun.
- Strategy: When facing tanks as infantry, your best bet is to use anti-tank grenades (like the "Sticky Bomb" for Americans) or call in artillery/air support if available. Target the tank's rear or tracks to disable or destroy it. When in a tank yourself, prioritize their main gun and aim for weak spots.