The backbone of any Company Of Heroes fighting force is its infantry. It is these ground troops that will be responsible for capturing, building, and ultimately shaping the battlefield, more so now in Company Of Heroes 3 than ever before.
Infantry can be summoned from a variety of buildings or Battlegroups, and many infantry units can be enhanced with various upgrades and abilities. With a range of specialties and limitations, it can be difficult to know which units are better or why. These units represent the most combat-effective infantry picks based on their power man-for-man. Here's what players need to know.
8 Bazooka Squad (US Forces)
This highly mobile anti-vehicle unit can be deployed with relative ease in the early game, as it is available from the Weapons Support Center. Best used as a support unit for Rifleman and Scout Squads, the Bazooka Squad can hold their own against basic infantry units, but where they really excel is against light vehicles and tanks.
Against heavier tanks they are likely to struggle, especially if out of cover, but their maneuverability and ability to take cover inside buildings often makes them more desirable than Anti-Tank Weapons Teams for the US Forces. They will cost 300 Manpower and 7 Pop, which is relatively cheap for an anti-tank infantry unit.
7 Jäger Squad (Wehrmacht)
Available through the Luftwaffe Kompanie Tier 2 Building, this squad is one of the best units available to the Wehrmacht faction. Particularly effective at long range, the Jäger Squad can be upgraded with the RPzB 54 Panzerschrek, making them a very effective anti-tank unit.
Alternatively, the Reconnaissance Package gives the squad two G43 rifles and a Recon Flare ability, making them a versatile unit capable of taking on both infantry and light vehicles. The Ambush Tactics Veterancy ability enables the squad to become camouflaged when stationary, which can give them the edge against some other elite infantry units.
6 Gurkhas (British Army)
The infamous and historically significant Gurkhas are a new addition to the Company Of Heroes series, and they live up to their reputation as a fierce and elite infantry unit. Available via the Indian Artillery Battlegroup for just 1 command point, these highly effective soldiers can be further enhanced with a variety of upgrades.
The Thompson Submachine Gun Package costs 60 Munitions and will greatly increase their close-range effectiveness, while the Bren Light Machine Gun upgrade costs 75 Munitions and will increase suppression as well as medium range firepower. Smoke Grenades and the Ayo Gorkhali war cry ability mean that in the right conditions and with the right tactical prowess, this unit can compete with even the most elite of rival units.
5 Paratrooper Squad (US Forces)
One of the great advantages of Paratrooper Squads, available via the Airborne Battlegroup, is their ability to deploy anywhere on the map. While they may come under fire if dropped in a dangerous location, this unit will quickly even out the fight, particularly if upgraded to either the M9 Bazooka Package (Anti-tank) or the M1919A6 LMG Package (Anti-infantry/light vehicles).
This adaptability distinguishes the US Airborne from the British Paratroopers, and for a relatively cheap cost of 320 Manpower, these units provide excellent value. In addition to grenade abilities, the US Paratroopers can unlock a Quick Capture ability at Veterancy Level 1 and the Unlock Concealment ability, providing a first-strike bonus when attacking.
4 Guastatori (Afrikakorps)
This elite Italian engineering unit has perhaps the most menacing character models in the game, and they are equally effective in combat as their look would suggest. Excelling in close range combat, this unit operates best once equipped with its Breakthrough Package upgrade. This provides two Lanciafiamme Model 40 flamethrowers and the Wirecutters ability. With these equipped, this unit can be a nightmare for enemy infantry, particularly if occupying structures and good cover.
A very powerful Anti-Tank Satchel charge also ensures their protection against many light and medium vehicles. At a cost of 400 Manpower, the Guastatori are not inexpensive, but they can prove a worthy investment if put to use with the right tactical knowledge.
3 Stoßtruppen (Wehrmacht)
This fearsome elite infantry unit will be available to Wehrmacht players from the Panzer Kompanie building, alongside the Panzer IV Medium Tank and Sturmpanzer IV Brummbar. Not many infantry units can go toe-to-toe with the Stoßtruppen, and even light vehicles stand little chance against their Red Phosphorus Grenades.
The Ambush Package upgrade is available via the Mechanized Battlegroup, and makes available an StG-44 Assault Rifle upgrade, replacing the MG-42 they will spawn with. In addition, the Shock Assault ability can be unlocked at Veterancy 1 and provides an increase to the squads offensive and defensive capabilities for a limited duration.
2 Foot Guards (British Army)
The British Army's elite infantry, the Foot Guards, can be procured from the Company Command Post at the cost of 3 99 Manpower and 10 Pop. Equipped with Thompson SMGs and M9 Bazookas, this unit can take on infantry, vehicles and tanks alike, and can also acquire the Staggered Shot ability at Veterancy Level 1.
With 6 men per squad, they can stand up to just about any rival elite infantry unit, and will last a lot longer than most squads, buying more time to retreat and reinforce if need be.
1 SSF Commandos (US Forces)
Although the Special Operations Battlegroup for the US Forces may not contain the best set of unlockable units and abilities, the SSF Commandos certainly make it worth playing. This 6-strong unit costs a mere 2 Command Points to unlock but will be more expensive to produce. However, at the cost of 440 Manpower. It is a worthy investment for the US faction, as this infantry unit can switch between two M9 Bazookas and two M1941 LMGs.
In addition, they also possess the M15 Willy Pete grenade with incendiary damage, a Knife Throw ability at Veterancy Level 1 and a Timed Demolition Charge at Veterancy 2. Capable of standing up to most units - infantry or vehicles - this is likely the strongest man-for-man infantry squad in Company Of Heroes 3.
Company of Heroes 3 is out now for PC and will release later this year for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.