Company of Heroes 3
Company of Heroes 3

Unit & Faction Overviews

Master Company of Heroes 3's factions and units. Learn unique mechanics for Allied Forces, German Wehrmacht, and more to dominate the battlefield.

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Unit & Faction Overviews

Welcome, Commander, to the definitive guide on mastering the diverse forces of Company of Heroes 3. Understanding the strengths, weaknesses, and unique mechanics of each faction and their specialized units is paramount to victory. This section provides detailed overviews, actionable strategies, and critical insights to elevate your battlefield prowess.

Allied Forces: The Spearhead of Liberation

The Allied forces, primarily represented by the US Forces and the British Forces, excel in adaptability and combined arms tactics. Their strength lies in their ability to quickly respond to threats and leverage powerful late-game units.

US Forces: Rapid Response & Mechanized Might

The US Forces are characterized by their aggressive early game and robust mechanized options. They thrive on flanking maneuvers and overwhelming the enemy with superior firepower.

  • Core Infantry:
    • Riflemen: Your bread-and-butter infantry. Equip them with the BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) upgrade for increased close-range damage, or the Sticky Bomb for anti-vehicle capabilities. Prioritize capturing strategic points early with these units.
    • Engineers: Essential for base building, repairing vehicles, and laying mines. Their Flamethrower upgrade is devastating against entrenched infantry and garrisoned buildings. Use them to secure forward positions and deny enemy pushes.
  • Support & Vehicles:
    • M20 Utility Car: A fast reconnaissance vehicle that can be upgraded with a .50 Cal HMG for early infantry suppression. Use its speed to scout enemy positions and harass vulnerable units.
    • M4A3 Sherman: The iconic medium tank. Its balanced armor and firepower make it a versatile frontline unit. Research the Wet Stowage upgrade for increased survivability against critical hits.
    • M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer: A highly mobile anti-tank unit with excellent penetration. Keep it at range and use its speed to reposition and flank heavier enemy armor. Its High-Velocity AP Rounds upgrade further boosts its anti-tank effectiveness.
  • Early Game Strategy: Focus on aggressive map control using Riflemen supported by an M20. Secure fuel and munition points rapidly.
    1. Deploy 2-3 squads of Riflemen immediately.
    2. Send one squad to capture your nearest fuel point, another to a munition point, and the third to a central strategic point.
    3. Construct a Weapon Support Center to unlock the M20 Utility Car and begin harassing enemy infantry.
    4. Upgrade Riflemen with BARs as munitions allow, prioritizing squads on the frontline.
  • Mid-Game Strategy: Transition into mechanized warfare.
    1. Build a Motor Pool to produce M4A3 Shermans.
    2. Use Shermans to push enemy strongholds, supported by Engineers for repairs and anti-infantry cover.
    3. Consider a Tank Depot for M18 Hellcats if the enemy fields heavy armor.

British Forces: Defensive Resilience & Artillery Support

The British Forces excel at establishing strong defensive lines and leveraging powerful artillery and support weapons. They are methodical and can wear down opponents through attrition.

  • Core Infantry:
    • Commonwealth Infantry Section: Versatile infantry capable of holding ground. Their Bren Gun upgrade significantly increases their sustained fire, making them excellent defensive units.
    • Royal Engineers: Similar to US Engineers, they build defenses and repair vehicles. Their P.I.A.T. (Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank) upgrade provides a potent anti-tank option for early and mid-game.
  • Support & Vehicles:
    • Vickers K Machine Gun Team: A powerful static defense unit that can suppress enemy infantry. Place them in strategic choke points or elevated positions.
    • 6-Pounder Anti-Tank Gun: Your early answer to enemy armor. Deploy these in concealed positions to ambush advancing tanks.
    • Churchill Tank: A heavily armored, slow-moving tank designed to absorb punishment and lead pushes. Its Crocodile Flamethrower variant is devastating against infantry and structures.
  • Early Game Strategy: Establish a strong defensive perimeter and secure resource points.
    1. Deploy 2-3 Commonwealth Infantry Sections to capture nearby strategic points.
    2. Build a Forward Assembly to gain access to Royal Engineers and Vickers K Machine Gun Teams.
    3. Use Royal Engineers to build Sandbags and Barbed Wire to fortify key positions.
    4. Position Vickers K teams to cover approaches to your resource points.
  • Mid-Game Strategy: Begin artillery harassment and push with armored support.
    1. Construct a Platoon Command Post to unlock the 6-Pounder Anti-Tank Gun.
    2. Deploy 6-Pounders to counter enemy vehicle pushes.
    3. Build a Company Command Post for Churchill Tanks. Use them to break through fortified enemy lines, supported by infantry.

Axis Forces: Blitzkrieg & Superior Engineering

The Axis forces, primarily represented by the Wehrmacht and the Afrika Korps, focus on aggressive, combined arms assaults and superior German engineering. Their strength lies in powerful, specialized units and devastating shock tactics.

Wehrmacht: Iron Fist & Defensive Fortifications

The Wehrmacht excels at rapid, decisive engagements and establishing formidable defensive positions. Their units are often more expensive but possess superior individual combat prowess.

  • Core Infantry:
    • Grenadiers: Well-rounded infantry capable of holding their own. Their LMG 42 (Light Machine Gun) upgrade makes them formidable in defensive positions, while the Panzerfaust provides a single-shot anti-tank option.
    • Pioneers: Essential for base building, repairs, and laying mines. Their Flammenwerfer 35 (Flamethrower) is excellent for clearing garrisons and close-quarters combat.
  • Support & Vehicles:
    • MG 42 Heavy Machine Gun Team: The pinnacle of infantry suppression. Position these to cover wide areas and deny enemy advances.
    • PaK 40 Anti-Tank Gun: A powerful and accurate anti-tank gun. Its long range and high penetration make it a threat to all Allied armor.
    • Panzer IV: A versatile medium tank, capable of engaging both infantry and vehicles effectively. Its balanced stats make it a reliable workhorse.
    • Tiger I Heavy Tank: The ultimate late-game tank, boasting immense armor and firepower. Use it to spearhead assaults and break through any resistance.
  • Early Game Strategy: Establish early map control and prepare for counter-attacks.
    1. Deploy 2-3 squads of Grenadiers to capture key resource points.
    2. Build a Kampfgruppe Headquarters to unlock Pioneers and the MG 42 HMG Team.
    3. Place MG 42s to cover approaches to your captured points, especially fuel.
    4. Upgrade Grenadiers with LMG 42s for increased defensive capability.
  • Mid-Game Strategy: Push with armor and fortify gains.
    1. Construct a Light Mechanized Kompanie for Panzer IVs.
    2. Use Panzer IVs to support Grenadier pushes and eliminate enemy vehicles.
    3. Build a Heavy Panzer Kompanie for the devastating Tiger I if the game goes late.
    4. Deploy PaK 40s to counter any heavy Allied armor.

Afrika Korps: Mobile Warfare & Combined Arms

The Afrika Korps specializes in highly mobile warfare, utilizing fast vehicles and coordinated assaults. They excel at flanking and overwhelming enemies with speed and concentrated firepower.

  • Core Infantry:
    • Panzergrenadiers: Elite infantry with excellent anti-infantry and anti-vehicle capabilities. Their Panzerschreck upgrade makes them a significant threat to enemy armor.
    • Pioneers: Similar to Wehrmacht Pioneers, they handle building and repairs. Their Mine Detector ability is crucial for clearing enemy traps.
  • Support & Vehicles:
    • 250 Half-track: A fast transport and light combat vehicle. It can be upgraded with an MG 34 for anti-infantry or a Stuka Zu Fuss Rocket Launcher for area denial.
    • Flak 30 Anti-Aircraft Gun: While primarily anti-air, its high rate of fire makes it surprisingly effective against infantry in a pinch.
    • Pz.Kpfw. III: A fast and agile medium tank, ideal for flanking maneuvers and engaging lighter enemy vehicles.
    • Tiger I Heavy Tank: The same formidable tank as the Wehrmacht, providing a powerful late-game anchor for your mobile forces.
  • Early Game Strategy: Aggressive scouting and rapid capture of forward positions.
    1. Deploy 2-3 squads of Panzergrenadiers to quickly capture central strategic points.
    2. Build a Panzerjäger Kompanie to unlock Pioneers and the 250 Half-track.
    3. Use the 250 Half-track to transport Panzergrenadiers rapidly and provide mobile fire support.
    4. Upgrade Panzergrenadiers with Panzerschrecks as soon as possible to counter early enemy vehicles.
  • Mid-Game Strategy: Maintain momentum with combined arms assaults.
    1. Construct a Panzergrenadier Kompanie for Pz.Kpfw. IIIs.
    2. Use Pz.Kpfw. IIIs in conjunction with Panzergrenadiers to execute flanking maneuvers and overwhelm enemy positions.
    3. Deploy Flak 30s to protect your advancing forces from air attacks and provide additional anti-infantry fire.
    4. If facing heavy resistance, consider a Panzer Lehr Kompanie for the Tiger I to break through fortified lines.