Welcome to Company of Heroes 2, a deep real-time strategy game that throws you onto the brutal Eastern Front of World War II. You'll command Soviet forces, managing squads, resources, and tactical positioning to overcome the relentless German onslaught. It's a game that demands careful planning and quick thinking, whether you're pushing through the iconic battles of Stalingrad or defending against a Tiger tank.
This guide is here to help you conquer every challenge the game throws at you. We'll walk you through critical objectives, offer advanced micro-management tips to optimize your Soviet army, and provide strategies for overcoming tough encounters. Whether you're aiming for those tricky Steam Achievements or just want to master the game's strategic depth, we've got you covered.
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Navigate Company of Heroes 2's single-player campaign with this walkthrough guide. Learn general strategies and crucial mission points for normal difficulty.
Hey there! So you're diving into the Company of Heroes 2 campaign? Awesome! This guide is here to give you a hand, focusing on general approaches and the key moments in each mission. We'll be playing on normal difficulty, so keep in mind that things might get a bit tougher on harder settings.
The cool thing about CoH2 is that there's often more than one way to tackle an objective. I'll keep the steps to 10 or less per mission, highlighting the really important stuff and letting you figure out the rest. Think of this as a friendly nudge in the right direction, not a rigid set of rules. Campaign missions are a bit like puzzles, and the AI isn't exactly a chess grandmaster, so there's plenty of room to get creative!
Note: This guide is specifically for the single-player campaign. Tactics here might not directly translate to Skirmish matches, which are a whole different beast.
What's Covered:
- General guidelines for approaching single-player missions.
- Crucial points for each mission on normal difficulty.
- Tips and strategies to help you succeed.
BASIC TACTICS AND PROCEDURES
Learn basic tactics for Company of Heroes 2, including unit management, resource priorities, and effective use of Shermans and engineers.
- 1Always build extra Engineers (a unit that can repair vehicles and construct defenses) as replacements for frontline losses. They can also quickly fix Operations Points (OPs) and create defenses if the enemy attempts to cut off a resource point.
- 2Build a Halftrack (a lightly armored vehicle) whenever possible. A Halftrack equipped with a quad cannon is highly effective against infantry, and your squads can reinforce near it.
- 3Micromanage your Shermans (a medium tank) when facing serious threats like Anti-Tank (AT) guns or Panzers (German tanks). Flanking AT guns from the rear often destroys the crew in one shot. Keeping your Sherman mobile while attacking a Panzer will significantly increase its survivability. Use smokescreens (a defensive ability that obscures vision) when you have spare resources. Shermans generally cannot directly engage German armor unless supported by Engineers or infantry equipped with bazookas.
- 4Keep your Munition (a resource used for special abilities) rates high. Munitions are crucial for dealing with unexpected situations, and many powerful abilities require a substantial amount of Munition points. Fuel (a resource used for vehicle production and upgrades) is more important early on while building your base and purchasing upgrades. In the long run, if you maintain your tanks and vehicles well, Fuel becomes less critical. Control high-yield resource points and build OPs on them to secure resources.
- 5Always bring an Engineer to the front lines to repair damaged vehicles. This prevents spending more resources to replace destroyed Shermans and Halftracks, especially if their engines are damaged and they cannot retreat to base.
- 6Rifle squads upgraded with a BAR (a powerful automatic rifle) can effectively counter most infantry threats, except for MG42s (a heavy machine gun) and snipers. Purchase the BAR upgrade as soon as you can afford it. Engineers equipped with flamethrowers are also a good upgrade, allowing them to hold their own against infantry to a certain extent.
- 7Pay attention to unit comments and reactions on the HUD (Heads-Up Display, showing game information). Infantry units will indicate if they are pinned or being targeted by Panzers. Shermans will signal when attacked by AT guns or Panzers. Heeding these warnings will help keep your units alive longer.
- 8Equipping any infantry squads with Panzershrecks (anti-armor rockets) or bazookas significantly increases their effectiveness against armor units. Use your Shermans to absorb damage while your infantry flanks for the kill.
- 9Garrisoned MG42s are best dealt with by tanks. Keep your infantry squads back while tanks destroy the garrisoned MG42s. Mortar crews can also be effective but may take longer.
- 10Snipers can quickly eliminate heavy weapon crews (like MGs, mortars, fixed gun emplacements, and AT guns) in the open. However, snipers are vulnerable to motorcycles. Keep an eye out for motorcycles and pull your sniper back when necessary. A veteran sniper can move faster while camouflaged. Jeeps are an effective counter to sniper attacks. Snipers can also be used to counter-snipe enemy snipers.
- 11Snipers are also useful as frontline scouts. Ensure they hold their fire to avoid revealing their position unnecessarily. This is particularly useful for the infantry command path, as it allows for more accurate artillery and Calliope Sherman (a Sherman variant with rocket launchers) attacks once the area is revealed.
- 12Airborne units are much deadlier with their recoilless rifles; upgrade them whenever affordable. Pairing two Airborne squads together makes them more effective. Pairing infantry squads generally works well universally, as one can absorb fire while the other attacks.
- 13Build Howitzers (heavy artillery pieces) in a central position on the map to cover (press the cover button to crouch behind walls or objects) almost the entire map for heavy barrages. Howitzers require protection, so establish defenses around them to prevent enemy attacks. If the enemy deploys Nebelwerfers (German rocket launchers), prioritize destroying them first, as they can target your Howitzers.
- 14Build a frontline barracks whenever possible to reinforce units from the front line instead of returning all the way to base. This saves time, especially after your army suffers heavy losses from artillery strikes.
- 15Prioritize your targets. Eliminate units that pose the greatest threat first. Field artilleries should be destroyed immediately due to their long range and tremendous Area of Effect (AOE) damage. Panzers and AT guns are major threats to your Shermans and other armor vehicles. Snipers, MGs, and Mortars are dangerous to your infantry squads. When possible, pull Shermans back first, as infantry can retreat to base more easily and are more likely to survive encounters, whereas Shermans take time to move out of danger zones and will sustain damage if infantry support is lost.
- 16Build a Triage Center (a structure that automatically heals retreating units) directly in front of your HQ. This ensures retreating units are automatically healed. To find the optimal location, have an infantry unit retreat near base; the point where they stop is a good reference for building the Triage Center.
- Always build extra Engineers for quick replacements and repairs.
- Utilize Halftracks with quad cannons for effective infantry suppression.
- Micromanage Shermans by flanking AT guns and using mobility against Panzers.
- Maintain high Munition levels for powerful abilities and control key resource points.
- Bring Engineers to the front lines to repair damaged vehicles.
- Upgrade Rifle squads with BARs and consider Engineers with flamethrowers for infantry defense.
- Listen to unit callouts on the HUD for critical information about threats.
- Equip infantry with Panzershrecks or bazookas to support Shermans in anti-armor assaults.
- Use tanks or mortars to counter garrisoned MG42s.
- Protect snipers from motorcycles and use them for scouting and counter-sniping.
- Pair infantry squads for combined arms tactics, with one absorbing fire and the other attacking.
- Position Howitzers centrally for map-wide coverage but ensure they are defended.
- Build frontline barracks for faster reinforcement.
- Prioritize eliminating high-threat enemy units like artillery, Panzers, AT guns, snipers, MGs, and Mortars.
- Build a Triage Center near your HQ for automatic healing of retreating units.
SINGLE PLAYER WALKTHROUGH
Explore the single-player campaign of Company of Heroes 2. This guide covers the Eastern Front, gameplay mechanics like TrueSight and ColdTech, and the Theater of War missions.
- 1The campaign puts players in control of the Soviet Red Army, progressing through key stages of the Eastern Front, from Operation Barbarossa to the Battle of Berlin.
- 2Gameplay mechanics are enhanced by the Essence 3.0 engine, featuring TrueSight for realistic unit visibility and ColdTech for dynamic weather simulation.
- 3Weather conditions significantly impact gameplay, with penalties for movement and actions. Troops can suffer from frostbite in blizzards, and bonfires offer protection at the cost of detection. Deep snow reduces movement speed, and frozen bodies of water offer alternative routes but risk breaking under unit weight.
- 4The game supports DirectX 11 and DirectX 9, and integrates with Steamworks for matchmaking and achievements.
- 5The "Theater of War" mode offers a series of single-player and cooperative missions detailing various aspects of the Eastern Front from both German and Soviet perspectives.
- 6Initial release includes eighteen missions set in 1941, with missions from 1942 onwards available as downloadable content.
- 7Players may encounter side quests within missions, such as protecting civilians.
- Utilize bonfires to protect troops from the cold during blizzards, but be aware of the increased enemy detection risk.
- Be cautious when moving units across frozen bodies of water, as the ice can break under heavy weight.
- Pay attention to environmental conditions; deep snow will slow down your units.
- The "Theater of War" mode provides diverse scenarios and challenges, offering a deeper dive into the Eastern Front's history.
Completing the single-player campaign and its various missions will unlock achievements and provide a comprehensive understanding of the Eastern Front's historical events within the context of Company of Heroes 2.
MISSION 01: D-Day/Omaha Beach
Complete Mission 01: D-Day/Omaha Beach in Company of Heroes 2. Get 25 soldiers on the beach and destroy the bunker.
- 1Get 25 Soldiers on the Beach.
- 2Move Engineers to the Shingle.
- 3Destroy the Bunker with a Satchel Charge.
- 4Neutralize the 2 88 Guns on the Beach.
Secondary Objective: Clear 3 German Bunkers.
Medal Objective: Clear Left Beach Exit.
- Use cover (press the cover button to crouch behind walls or objects) effectively to protect your troops from enemy fire.
- Prioritize neutralizing the 88 guns as they can inflict heavy damage.
- Engineers are crucial for destroying fortifications.
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