Infantry Upgrades — Company of Heroes 3 Guide

Infantry Upgrades

Infantry upgrades are a cornerstone of effective battlefield strategy in Company of Heroes 3, significantly enhancing the combat effectiveness, survivability, and utility of your foot soldiers. Mastering these upgrades is critical for adapting to diverse combat scenarios, countering enemy threats, and maximizing the potential of your chosen faction and Battlegroup. Prioritize upgrades based on the threats you anticipate facing, your Battlegroup's specific strengths, and the current state of the battle.

Understanding Infantry Upgrade Categories

Infantry upgrades generally fall into several key categories, each offering distinct advantages:

• Weapon Upgrades: These are often the most impactful, providing units with superior firepower, range, or specialized anti-infantry/anti-vehicle capabilities. They can transform a basic squad into a formidable threat.
• Defensive Upgrades: Focused on increasing durability, these upgrades can reduce incoming damage, improve health, or provide resistance to specific damage types (e.g., suppression, explosives).
• Utility/Specialized Equipment: These upgrades grant units new abilities or equipment that expand their tactical role, such as demolition charges, medical supplies, or specialized anti-tank grenades.
• Squad Size/Reinforcement Upgrades: While less common as direct "upgrades," some Battlegroup abilities or base structures can indirectly affect infantry effectiveness by increasing squad size or reducing reinforcement costs/time.

Faction-Specific Infantry Upgrades: Key Examples and Strategies

Each faction in Company of Heroes 3 boasts a unique set of infantry upgrades, reflecting their distinct doctrines and combat styles. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective play.

US Forces (USF)

The USF rely on versatile infantry that can adapt to various threats. Their upgrades often focus on improving general combat effectiveness and providing key anti-armor or anti-infantry capabilities.

• Riflemen:
  • BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) Upgrade: A foundational upgrade for USF Riflemen. Equipping two BARs per squad significantly boosts their anti-infantry firepower, making them highly effective at suppressing and eliminating enemy infantry at medium ranges. This upgrade is typically available from the Infantry Company or Weapons Support Center.
    • Strategy: Prioritize this early against massed enemy infantry. Use Riflemen with BARs to hold key choke points or to flank and suppress enemy positions.
  • Grenade Package: Grants Riflemen access to frag grenades, providing an area-of-effect attack useful for dislodging entrenched infantry or finishing off suppressed squads.
    • Strategy: Combine with BARs for a versatile infantry unit. Use grenades to clear garrisons or force enemy infantry out of cover.
• Assault Engineers:
  • Flamethrower Upgrade: Equips Assault Engineers with powerful flamethrowers, making them devastating against garrisoned infantry, light vehicles, and for clearing out entrenched positions.
    • Strategy: Essential for urban combat or dislodging enemy machine gun teams. Be mindful of their short range and vulnerability to concentrated fire.
• Pathfinders:
  • M1919A6 Light Machine Gun Upgrade: Improves the anti-infantry output of Pathfinders, allowing them to lay down more sustained fire and suppress enemy infantry more effectively.
    • Strategy: Useful for establishing forward observation posts and providing covering fire for other units.

Wehrmacht

The Wehrmacht emphasizes disciplined, well-equipped infantry with a strong focus on defensive capabilities and specialized anti-tank roles.

• Grenadiers:
  • MG42 Light Machine Gun Upgrade: A critical upgrade for Wehrmacht Grenadiers. Equipping an MG42 transforms a Grenadier squad into a potent anti-infantry force, capable of laying down heavy suppressive fire and dealing significant damage at range. This upgrade is typically available from the Kampfgruppe Kompanie.
    • Strategy: Use MG42-equipped Grenadiers to establish defensive lines, suppress advancing enemy infantry, and support heavier units. Position them to maximize their line of sight.
  • Panzerfaust: Grants Grenadiers a single-shot anti-tank rocket, providing crucial early-game anti-vehicle capabilities.
    • Strategy: Essential for dealing with early light vehicles. Time your shots carefully, as it's a one-time use per squad until re-equipped.
• Pioneer Squads:
  • Flammenwerfer 35: Equips Pioneers with flamethrowers, similar to USF Assault Engineers, making them excellent for clearing garrisons and close-quarters combat.
    • Strategy: Use in conjunction with Grenadiers to clear out buildings that are suppressing your advance.
• Panzergrenadiers:
  • Gewehr 43 Package: Improves the overall anti-infantry effectiveness of Panzergrenadiers, giving them more accurate and damaging rifles.
    • Strategy: Enhances their role as elite infantry, allowing them to engage and defeat enemy infantry more reliably.
  • Schreck Upgrade (Panzerschreck): Equips Panzergrenadiers with the powerful Panzerschreck, a dedicated anti-tank rocket launcher, making them a significant threat to all enemy vehicles.
    • Strategy: Absolutely vital for countering enemy armor. Keep these squads protected and position them to ambush enemy tanks.

Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK)

The DAK features highly mobile and aggressive infantry, often relying on combined arms tactics and specialized anti-tank capabilities.

• Panzergrenadiers (DAK):
  • MP40 Submachine Guns: While often their default weapon, upgrading or reinforcing can ensure they are fully equipped, making them highly effective in close-quarters combat.
    • Strategy: Use their mobility to flank and engage enemy infantry at close range.
  • Panzerbüchse 39 (Anti-Tank Rifle): Equips Panzergrenadiers with a powerful anti-tank rifle, providing a reliable source of anti-vehicle damage from infantry.
    • Strategy: Excellent for harassing light and medium vehicles. Can be used to suppress vehicle crews or finish off damaged tanks.
• Bersaglieri (Italian Infantry):
  • LMG Upgrade (Breda Modello 30): Improves the anti-infantry firepower of Bersaglieri, allowing them to lay down more sustained fire.
    • Strategy: Enhances their role as aggressive, mobile infantry.

British Forces (BRIT)

The British Forces excel at defensive play, often relying on strong emplacements and resilient infantry that can hold ground and wear down the enemy.

• Tommy Squads (Infantry Sections):
  • Bren Gun Upgrade: Equips Tommy squads with Bren Light Machine Guns, significantly boosting their anti-infantry firepower and suppression capabilities. This is a core upgrade for British infantry.
    • Strategy: Essential for holding defensive positions and providing covering fire. Combine with their "Button Up" ability for increased survivability.
  • Anti-Tank Grenades (PIAT or Gammon Bomb): Provides Tommies with a limited-use anti-tank grenade, offering crucial close-range anti-vehicle defense.
    • Strategy: Use to deter light vehicle rushes or to finish off damaged tanks that get too close.
• Gurkha Rifles:
  • Vickers K Machine Gun: Enhances the anti-infantry capabilities of Gurkha Rifles, making them even more deadly in direct engagements.
    • Strategy: Gurkhas are elite shock infantry; this upgrade further solidifies their role in aggressive pushes and flanking maneuvers.

General Upgrade Strategy and Pitfalls

• Early Game Focus: In the early game, prioritize upgrades that address immediate threats. If the enemy is spamming infantry, invest in anti-infantry upgrades (e.g., BARs, MG42s). If light vehicles are a problem, prioritize anti-tank grenades or rifles.
• Battlegroup Synergy: Consider how infantry upgrades synergize with your chosen Battlegroup abilities. For example, a Battlegroup focused on aggressive pushes might benefit more from weapon upgrades that increase offensive power, while a defensive Battlegroup might prioritize survivability or specialized anti-tank options.
• Resource Management: Upgrades cost Manpower, Munitions, and sometimes Fuel. Balance your upgrade purchases with unit production and base building. Don't over-invest in upgrades if you're struggling to field enough units.
• Timing is Key: Some upgrades are more impactful at certain stages of the game. For instance, early anti-tank upgrades can shut down enemy light vehicle rushes, while late-game upgrades might focus on countering heavy armor or elite infantry.
• Don't Forget Reinforcements: Upgrades are often applied to a squad, but if you lose members and reinforce, those new members will also benefit from the upgrade. Ensure your upgraded squads are kept at full strength.
• Common Pitfall - Neglecting Anti-Tank: A common mistake is to focus too heavily on anti-infantry upgrades and neglect anti-tank capabilities. Even basic infantry with anti-tank grenades can deter or damage light vehicles, buying you time to bring in dedicated anti-tank units.
• Common Pitfall - Over-Upgrading: While upgrades are powerful, don't upgrade every single squad if it drains your resources too heavily. Identify your core combat squads and prioritize their upgrades.
• Adapt to the Enemy: Scout your opponent! If they are heavily investing in a particular unit type, adjust your upgrade path to counter it. For example, if they are massing machine guns, consider flamethrower upgrades or units with good suppression resistance.