Company of Heroes 3 - Hammer & Shield - Italian Coastal Battlegroup

[@Praetorianofdorn]

Man, wish the Italians themselves had a faction in the game.

[@davidliu7125]

That would be extremely underpowered…Italians didn’t even have a proper tank…

[@Praetorianofdorn]

@davidliu7125 They actually did. They weren't produced in the same mass numbers as the Germans, and historically, the Italians in general suffer from common misconceptions like the one you're making now. But regardless of that, It would be nice to see the Italians represented in their own army, for once in this trilogy of games set in the second world war, and this being the theater they saw the most fighting in.

[@Ext3rmin4tor]

​​@@davidliu7125They would have to focus on light tanks and assault guns, but it's doable. I mean, the M15 was the best tank in the game for a while, don't you remember the Italian tank spam of DAK in the early versions? You could have assault guns with HEAT upgrade to rival Allied medium tanks, and they had Semovente 90/53 which was comparable to a 8,8fm FlaK 36, and they could have 105/25. Also they could add the P40, even it never saw combat. I mean if the British can have the Black Prince I guess the Italians can have that, historical accuracy has never been the strong point of CoH.

[@The_irregular]

⁠@@Praetorianofdorn it’s still fun seeing some deluded ita fan thinking that Italy had good tank 😂 no they didn’t and they knew it they desperately tried to create good tanks but didn’t got the budget, it’s everything expect an missconception, imagine being an dreamful italian and get assigned to an go-kart with metal sheet riveted on aka cv 33 the most used ita tankette, they was not fast, not armored and not even equipped with good gun, mg and every antitank weapon could destroy it, l6/40 was designed for infrantry support doctrine of 1930, m13 was just an poor designed panzer 2 and p40 was not used because coming too late in the war, conclusion, yes they was bad and you saying no feels like british fan thinking that their chall 2 was actually the best MBT in the world

[@The_irregular]

@@Ext3rmin4tor they have nothing to subsist late game only one poor p40 who can’t penetrate an tiger or an Sherman 76, why annoying themselves in creating an new axis based on italia when you have URSS, Japan who have a big catalog of tank (mostly URSS)that was used in war and already present in COH2?

[@kevinlegobrickmaster8015]

I'm really excited for this and the new art direction and lighting, this is what we could've gotten at launch if only everyone didn't despise the pre alpha lighting

[@runninginthe40s]

Yea samw

[@CapybaraConnoisseur89]

I hope they will continue with sound design rework, it's better after the last one, but still could be improved.

[@devinhoran7295]

Wow that had a lot more going on that I anticipated. Really excited for this one!

[@matteoorlandi856]

this is more than wellcome but i would like to see a real italian faction.

[@nayahun2]

Italian army known to be weak but it will be interesting to see them including french resistance

[@na8291]

pray tell how are the italians supposed to beat churchills and shermans?? people want an italian faction but cant reckon with the fact that they had piss poor armor and anti tank

[@matteoorlandi856]

@@na8291 check for cannone 90/53 and then try to relax a bit. It's a game.

[@octaviogonzalezventura1919]

all of the semovente series?@@na8291

[@robosoldier11]

@@na8291 So what? Germans couldn't effectively take out matildas or even the French Char B1s for a good while and had to resort to either airpower, their 88s or until the uparmored panzer 4 hit the scene and later more definitively the tiger. The Italians also utilized their iteration of flak guns (cannon da 90/53) and have heavier tank destroyer variants that could ideally contest shermans and Churchills. Also if Relic is willing to flex some creative liberty. The Italians also have some other modest weapon designs but didn't get fielded en masse due to production limits like the Cannone da 75/32 modello 37 . At the same time the Germans could also provide units same as the Italians are providing units here. Why would we exclude a wealth of intriguing new content because your bias on the Italian army is skewed?

[@xInfiniteGaMeRsX]

This battle group scratches my defensive itch nicely, cant wait to play it :)

[@Poderism]

Good to see more Italian units

[@robosoldier11]

Rather we just seem them within the Italian faction itself that hopefully will come sooner or later. The more they give to the germans the less likely they will feel incentivized to do so. Which kinda annoys me.

[@DD-qw4fz]

@@robosoldier11 the issue is most noteworthy Italian units are already ingame with DAK, and with this update the only other i can think of is the 90 mil AA gun on a truck their only decent tank the P40 and their own paras the Folgore.

[@JF-xm6tu]

​@@DD-qw4fzyo what?? They don't have basic Italian infantry or the alpini

[@DD-qw4fz]

@@JF-xm6tu coastal defence inf are the italian infantry, also Italy capitulated in 43 and italy was quite fragmented some joined allis other remained with the axis

[@JF-xm6tu]

@@DD-qw4fz Africa was 1940 to 43 man

[@mega-chad8809]

This is a super creative battle group, I love it! But when will my precious Afrika Korps get a new battle group?

[@EddieHarrison-no6jo]

Really looking forward to this battlegroup! I never play defensive, so will be great to pick a battlegroup that allows me to experiment with emplacements and bunkers

[@ElZorro85]

I like how unique they are.

[@100Kakdela]

Are they? They are adding Italian Osttruppen and Artillery officer plus bunkers. This was 10 years ago in Coh2.

[@honorguard7616]

@@100Kakdela well longer by looks actually a lot of this reminds me of COH1

[@INSANESUICIDE]

@@honorguard7616 It's basically Ostruppen with CoH1 bunkers, it is situational, but can be quite fun if you like defensive play. All it takes to counter you is one artillery player though 😅

[@bogdanignatovych3042]

Really love the fact that the abilities of this battlegroup are more interactive, than the usual ones which we get from most battlegroups. It actually allows us to directly influence the battlefield as generals aside from controlling the troops.

[@barbooskie6893]

If you guys are liking this game on console be sure to try out iron harvest! It was a gem I stumbled upon this year. Strategy games are making a home on console and fans should start supporting these companies finally making them accessible! Happy holidays y'all!

[@Klaus_Klavier]

That game is dead

[@barbooskie6893]

@@Klaus_Klavier you can still experience it with friends and a single player campaign

[@Klaus_Klavier]

@@barbooskie6893 it was meh to begin with and it could’ve been made good but they stuck Usonia as a pay to win faction in, put one last update to add flak guns so they couldn’t bum rush your base with blimps and never touched the game again

[@barbooskie6893]

@@Klaus_Klavier Well me and my friends still have fun in custom games, not everyone has tried it yet. I'm sure they'll get their money's worth if they wait for a sale and have people to play it with.

[@xyvdjs]

Very nice. This Battlegroup has everything i love about this game. Infantry call ins, Artillery (-officers), bunkers. If this update holds up, i will remove my negative steam review.

[@cat_demon4405]

same

[@johlin94]

This will definently get me to take another wack at COH 3 I'm excited! About as excited as I was back when we first learned COH3 was coming.

[@HAWKSTA24]

I’m sure you’ll be let down again guy. 😊

[@johlin94]

@@HAWKSTA24 man, you must live thr saddest life.

[@heavy5commando.824]

Mother of Mercy! They made the Germans Heavy Duty! i love it!

[@02Machiavelli]

Thanks Relic, you just made the most op battlegroup in the game.

[@PapaWargamer]

Bice to have even more Italian troops. That thematic and different. But would love to have a pacific campaign. You already have it 80% done with the campaign mecanic including boat and planes. Just need a map and Japanese faction

[@soth897]

This. Mechanics/abilities from previous titles could easily fit in thematically, too. Infantry melee charges from DoW1 (think bayonets. Cooldown ability, not full melee combat like Iron Harvest), infantry interrogation map reveal from CoH2, useful casualty stations from CoH1, infantry/emplacement camouflage from CoH2, etc. A few additions like cheap/improvised traps (small/weak stuff, like flare trap from CoH2), or the connected emplacement tunnels from C&C:Generals (but with a range limit), seem appropriate and simple. I'd also say Relic have successfully demonstrated in CoH3 (with DAK, especially) that a faction doesn't have to rely on the availability of heavy tanks to be viable (and so addressing the inevitable complaints about faction balance vs. "historical authenticity"). As you said, many of the pieces are already there, they just need to be assembled.

[@basharhamza3548]

We need two new factions, Japanese one with the side of Wehermacht and a Russian one with the side of US, 3 Factions vs 3 Factions.

[@davidliu7125]

I would also love that, but that means Relic need to create new east front campaigns and pacific campaigns.

[@basharhamza3548]

@@davidliu7125 I honestly don’t care that much about the campaign, if they just add the factions I am really more than happy with that.

[@amateur_shut_in]

@@davidliu7125just a pacific campaign would do it I think. The soviets already had a campaign so could just be added in without the need for a big intro.

[@brasso4984]

Why would the Russians be in US faction? They had more communication with the Brits more than the Americans as most of their armoury was from the light armoured vehicles produced by the British.

[@basharhamza3548]

@@brasso4984 The British and the US are both in the same side, that's what I meant, I just didn't have to mention all the factions, but yeah US/British/Russian were on the same side. and I didn't mean a new battlegroup I said a whole new Faction that are on the same side as US/British.

[@istix3535]

2 battlegroups kinda funny for a dlc tbh

[@legendarybloodviking1610]

We need more dlc for PlayStation 5 and xbox 5 please give console players more dlc

[@bogdanignatovych3042]

I really like what I see so far. Great job.

[@SuperDarkSamurai1]

Man this is going to make setting up defenses less stressful and able to hold on to them longer.

[@wFredsch]

Simcity is back. Seems really cool. I hope this wont get out of hand in big 4v4 matches. But I'm really excited to try this one out aswel. Keep up the good work guys.

[@frjoji5685]

This is COH. This will DEFINITELY not get out of hand with players building HUNDREDS of indestructible, auto-repairing bunkers

[@dumbduck3644]

Where are the updates for Consol? We have not gotten a single DLC we don’t even have the store. I bought the premium edition. I just want anything.

[@ImmortalBikeRider]

it was nice premium purchases got this as part of what they paid :) nice move, loving the new stuff

[@JF-xm6tu]

I wish there was a actual axis Italian faction. Also why are they wearing Adrian helmets??

[@OneLastEcho]

Italian coastal militias were issued Adrian helmets from ww1

[@rikterandersson3568]

I am one of those waiting to get CoH3 and DLCs, personally I love the Fortification theme.. But currently just waiting for all the audio/graphic fixes and some sort of campaign update that fixes it. Lets hope the big update that's coming up will solve it. High hopes, low expectations.

[@TY73R]

I like your opinion

[@robosoldier11]

Im just waiting for the Italian faction. Kinda refuse to get the game until then. Since fundamentally the Italian faction would be the distinguishing factor content wise. In so far as something entirety different from coh1 and coh2.

[@sonogamirinne7172]

​@@robosoldier11no japan meh

[@robosoldier11]

@@sonogamirinne7172 Japan would be another cool faction. I'm not sure they will add it to this title given the theater. But I'm sure they can easily add a east Asia campaign with China, the marines, and the Japanese. Kinda in line with the idea of they maybe extending the Mediterranean map to include the southern part of the eastern front or maybe Greece. With the soviets and a coalition faction of eastern axis nations. Overall there is a ton of variety they could add. However at the moment the value proposition just isn't enough to get off coh2.

[@sonogamirinne7172]

@@robosoldier11 I play this game since coh1 and now even in coh3 still the same german vs everyone in Europe , I will come back to this game when they add japan or even us marine just like they did to german in every coh game

[@Drevas]

All i see is immobile or weak units in obsolete "simcity" that will only feed enemy units (and especialy arty) with experience.

[@tonyweaver2353]

Is this a MP only dlc? Where is love for the campaign SP?

[@knightchef]

The defensive faction got an even more defensive battle group.

[@sethv9039]

This will be a very nice addition to the Wermacht.

[@antonioferdinando9475]

I like the uniqueness. Hopefully there will be an independent Italian faction in the future!

[@a.s.2322]

Too less for an expansion. There should be at least 1 new battlegroup for each faction and also a few new maps for each game mode. And then you also need to pay for the new BG when you consider how bad the start of the game was and in which state the multiplayer mode is since then...

[@RonnieMyers777]

Replay mode for console? 🥺

[@reguech]

Italians needs a faction for this game, that would be sick.

[@sts9403able]

Why is there no British? You guys don't want to work?

[@mikelarry874]

They look soo good

[@Justimba9]

I wonder if they're going to add Australian battle group for the British

[@dukejason]

Awesome, 4 vs 4 here I come!

[@brasso4984]

This okay but they need to make sure that one command post can be posted only. Just causing chaos for the allies to recapture.

[@SuperEdo07]

I like how the one console guy commenting like it justified being developed at all. Make Italians their own faction already.

[@ArrangedKarma]

Alrighty, Ill be honest and say im feeling more mixed on this than the rangers. First and foremost, lets not kid ourselves. This is essentially just ostruppen but Italian. Which is fine, but the main failing with them is that they're pretty worthless in the mid to late game as they simply do not do any damage to any other infantry unless theyre in a static heavy cover position. It would seem that this is the case here too. While they get access to some quirky passives, an extra man at vet 2 and free reinforcements from bunkers, that requires significantly more investment to get them at their maximum potential. Vet 2 can take a while and bunkers require time and manpower to make. Like really, what is gonna stop a group of 2-3 rifles/rangers right clicking on top of them and just wiping them out. This is quite literally what happens in COH 2 with ostruppen. Officer seems cool, giving lots of cool bonuses and even more with veterancy. Build times seem kinda meh since over-investing into bunkers is generally a bad idea since tanks and artillery exist and im not even sure what abilities the new coast guard guys even have. The overwatch arty is neat, the circle seems a tad small, but I think its ok depending on how much it costs. Supervising buildings is generally a mid ability, just ask the US players in coh 2 why they always keep their Captains on the field. Their command buff is just the same as the one the artillery officer in coh 2 gets, so good job there. The Obice seems a tad bit strong in my opinion. While as an axis main im happy that we finally get some decent artillery, and in an emplacement no less, its destructive power does seem quite potent. Pretty much just just a B4 but Italian. Hopefully, Coastal wall gives a hefty reduction in cost to these static defences. There is a reason why you rarely see bunkers in multiplayer games, due to how easy it is to just park an AT gun outside of its range and just snipe it until it dies. If this whole doctrine is built around building static defences, you need to give the players that pick it a good reason to actually build them, and hopefully this isnt just like shaving 20 munis and manpower off a bunker. The new bunkers do seem cool. Comand reducing the damage of nearby bunkers seems nice, hopefully its a meaningful amount of damage so its actually worth investing into. It being a retreat point seems nice, since you can just park an ambulance halftrack next to it and you now have no reason to ever retreat to base anymore. Anti tank bunker is also a nice change since it provides an actually good at gun. Ive lost count of the amount of times where 2-3 tanks can just drive straight into 2-3 at guns and just wipe them out in 1-2 shots each. Hopefully this bunker actually stops them from doing that, even if it cant turn 360 degrees. Designate defensive position seems quite broken. Healing infantry for free and persisting until decapture or destruction seems insane. Im not sure what the wording here means, in that persisting means its just a toggle on/off feature or there is indeed a set time limit until the ability ends, but this does seem a tad crazy. Designate artillery overwatch is what the beacon from the new us artillery observers should be. Artillery that drops in sight range at a muni cost. Based on the gameplay, it even looks like its a timed ability, not just a set and forget like the beacon is. But I guess if the axis could make an invisible bunker that called in free arty alot of allies players could call it op, huh?. Rapid fortification seems alot like the medical tent, in that its kinda silly. A reduced cost bunker that auto builds seems kinda dumb since it requires no exterior input. Just something you can put down anywhere anytime for a cheaper price. No need for any tactical thinking or strategy, just "my guys are losing here, im gonna build a bunker behind them because i can". Call the Reserves is also like that ability in coh2, but instead of calling in an ost squad for models dying, you get free reinforcements and defensive modifiers. This will only suck if the free reinforcements are faster than the current in combat reinforce pentalty. Bulwark seems good. Tougher bunkers, which is something bunkers sorely need to stay relevant against the ever increasing hordes of shermans and matilas, along with free repairs. Im not sure I agree with free repairs, maybe give this ability the passive of making bunkers stronger but make the repairing an ability that costs like, 60-100 munis or something. All in all, I would say im alot more mixed on this doc than the rangers. While it adds alot of cool stuff, focusing your gameplay around horrdendus infantry in the form of the reserves and bunkers, against simply better infantry and tanks, can make this a real toss-up on the field.

[@GonkOrange]

is this free if we pre-orderd it?

[@stephenmcmahon190]

Curious if there will be campaigns added to the game rather than multilayer add ons

[@lordDenis16]

Questions: - Are you planning to make a Polish or Canadian BG for the British? - Will there be custom skins for BG units? Like the Italian light tanks or tank destroyers, or their infantry units that you can have as part of the DAK?

[@HAWKSTA24]

I doubt they’re going to include the two nations that did very little during the actual war.

[@lordDenis16]

@@HAWKSTA24 both the Canadians and Poles formed a huge chunk of the 8th Army forces during the Italian campagin, and so did french as part of the US army. So i recommend reading more before saying such nonsens.

[@VICTORFERNANDEZ20247]

​@@lordDenis16unique weapons of that armys please? 🧐

[@lordDenis16]

@@VICTORFERNANDEZ20247 Pretty much the same as the 8th army for the Poles and what the US 5th Army had for the French. I think the main deference would be in weapon options and abilities rather than in adding new equipment. Although looking at photos the french kept their FM 24/29 machine guns. But yeah main idea would be one or two special unit and different abilities, hence why I only suggested a Battle Group type thing rather than a whole new army :)

[@tigertank8991]

How about modding tool that we can edit model in games?

[@stellar_ape]

I mean, bunkers are cool, but games are too short to afford them. maybe team games yeah, but solo might be too expensive

[@rebindabaghi]

this battle group is not working in team game dude trush

[@Quasisaur]

I bet 1(ONE!) AT gun + infantry with at rifles can end this 'bunker bs' pretty quickly. MAYBE in 4 v 4 it has a slight chance - otherwise - I just don't see how these 'builders' can handle two BARs rifle squad+AT guns spam

[@ericli1281]

I’m sensing an unbalance at launch

[@HopeForPeave]

more... MORE!

[@way-rp4pi]

seems fun to try out but I can't see it working well in multiplayer against allied sides who have a much stronger early game and better infantry. you won't get time to build defenses they will be overrun early

[@amateur_shut_in]

Brit infantry isn’t brilliant until the Gurkhas come in, rifles are a problem though for sure

[@tommasopisapia7464]

skill issue

[@way-rp4pi]

@@tommasopisapia7464 as someone with a 75% win rate on multiplayer online I don't think that's the reason mate...

[@tommasopisapia7464]

sure sure 75% winrate 😂😂😂😂😂😂😄😄@@way-rp4pi

[@dsfgjlygfjh]

RELIC Please remove ugly team colours from vehicles and make the grenade throw animation a lot better, no obvious trail and slow speed of projectile in the air.

[@thebrother6042]

May I ask if console is going to receive some more love soon, I love the game but me and the boys are curious when we’ll get some more maps or perhaps the in game store?

[@Adriane_Deathscythe]

so this is basically maginot line update

[@muriskacapor9362]

When will this be available for console

[@WebsterBolek]

2:13 B4 from coh2 flashback

[@kuronekolove7384]

Like defensive operation in coh1.,finally

[@Kotwurf]

Make COH great again (like COH1)

[@ryleeculla5570]

Why don’t you make the flak 88mm gun a field gun the flak 88 was made for three roles AA, AT, artillery

[@peppa3693]

Very excited 💪

[@claudioleppe3925]

Simcity for Wehr

[@jronne101]

When are these updates coming to console?

[@rebindabaghi]

such trush battlegroup vs usf battle group

[@LegoZBuffalo013]

it will come on ps5?

[@tiger-q8208]

Good job 👏🏻

[@nashiffuadkhan9817]

Seems a little too micro on abilities.

[@robosoldier11]

So they made sim city german edition? Not sure how I feel about that.

[@Mochi-yo1wy]

Yup same as me btw we juat wait and see how peform

[@gohhappiness1494]

It appears to be very vulnerable to artillery skills such as carpet bombing, so its effectiveness is questionable. In the case of an AT bunker, if you can't change direction and can only see the front, I think it's trash. I think the FLAK fort and 88mm construction function should be added to achieve balance. If it's a defense-specific trait, I think you'll be motivated to purchase DLC if you have all the necessary features.

[@TheIronCast]

You got that right! Your bunkers are only static at the end of the day and you have to look out for AT guns, Mortars, Artillery and Air abilities. Marching your Artillery Officer around to get your Coastal Reserves to build faster, ready for the next onslaught thrown at you. There's a lot to do, and different ways you can do it. I'm interested to see how defensive players can evolve this Battlegroup at various levels of play! - Inuki of Ironcast

[@frjoji5685]

Yes, this is a bunker, it can’t turn around. The goal of a bunker isn’t to get flanked, it’s to block a position and forbid the en dmg to breakthrough there. And believe me, it’s 5 anti-tank bunkers, I don’t think that I’ll tank rush them

[@awsdnet]

seems a bit underwhelming from a multiplayer perspective, hope it will be balanced. But the idea is cool and intresting

[@rhythmmandal3377]

Wow this commander would have worked so well for DAK who are expensive and lacks in defence. Yep lelic is clueless.

[@JA-vy1mc]

Very cool

[@ryansmith1115]

So I guess nothing like this for the console and still no SAS?

[@맹두자아이즈]

I still wating a dlc about Soviet force vs Japanese imperial army

[@Heavyflame]

How much coins will this BG cost?

[@jimbobaggins2665]

Am I hearing wrong or is the voiceover being voiced by Inuki, whom I know from the Smite top play videos?

[@HAWKSTA24]

Imagine if they had all this “new” content included in the original release. Instead, they apply it to a patch upgrade as though they are continually improving the player experience. Does the upgrade come with a pronoun seeing how that seems to be a big part of this team.

[@ExtraterrestrialsareReall]

Don't forget console players!! 🎮

[@DD-qw4fz]

Looks very interesting but i am afraid its going to be underwhelming due to CoHs fluid gameplay and allies having a crap ton of effective arty ....

[@si_mon_ki2828]

Wait, so the new dlc isn't factions???? XD

[@AkatsukiReji]

German sim city doctrine it is

[@valmar2013]

Sorry No east front No play

[@ghost6896]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone and have a good day

[@disow6587]

Yeah improving bunkers to make them a bigger pain in the ass sure. But making them some how magically take less damage doesn't make much sense honestly

[@rhythmmandal3377]

Is that INUKI???/

[@jhonsingh919]

BUNKEEERS!

[@diesel_man99]

What's wrong with Xbox

[@Cheeseybeaver45]

Again why can’t I upgrade to premium edition???!

[@jdude2175]

? Buying the game and the expansion is pretty much the same price as if you bought the premium edition

[@TheDgamesD]

Why arent the Italians their own faction? why are they in the Wehrmacht? this is insulting to the wait ive been wanting for them to be their OWN faction since COH2

[@rafaelg4566]

CAN YOU JUST PLEASE TAKKKEEE MY MONEY NOW!!!!! I am dying here. Here’s my money take it. Oh not enough? Here some more. GET IT/ STEAL IT I beg you pleaseeeee.

[@isaacalves97]

YES YES!!!! AVANTE SEVOJA!!!!

[@7777Leander]

nice

[@espurr3496]

Just make Italy a faction Please

[@bohdanherasymenko7569]

This voice is super similar to the Commandos behind enemy lines narrator. Hit me with nostalgia :)

[@felipeg9022]

It's not free if I already paid via the Premium version 💀

[@Puwapupu]

no nashorn wew

[@GonkOrange]

"accuracy"

[@nikopoulos5241]

Looks sick

[@Surgical_Bomber]

This is definitely getting nerfed

[@deusameno579]

Call to arms gates of hell ostfront > coh 3 :)

[@freshfresh5205]

When expansion pack simply means free in game merits boost. At least for those that don’t value cosmetics or campaigns.

[@darkequation]

Osttruppen Simcity Doctorine lol