There are many components to Company Of Heroes 3's fast-paced, strategic combat, every one of which can make all the difference on the front line. One such component are the Abilities available either through Battlegroups or as part of individual units. Some units will come with special abilities from the moment they are produced, while others may require certain Veterancy Levels to be reached in order to unlock them.
From grenade packages and passive abilities to full-scale naval and aerial bombardments, the timing and deployment of these abilities can sway the battle in any player's favor if used correctly. Veteran players and beginners alike would benefit from knowing which abilities are the best.
10 Veteran Gunners (Afrikakorps)
The all-new Afrikakorps faction are a brand-new edition to the Company Of Heroes series, and are perhaps the most vehicle-based faction in the game. For such a vehicle-focused faction, it seems logical to prioritize the pursuit of upgrades and abilities related to vehicle units. One early ability that will be available via the Armored Support Battlegroup is the Veteran Gunners ability, which will improve the penetration of all vehicle units.
This can be particularly useful in helping to assert early dominance over the battlefield for the Afrikakorps, as well as helping some of their lighter units stand up to the medium and heavy armor that is likely to be deployed in the later game.
9 Naval Blockade (British Forces)
Famed for their naval prowess since the days of Queen Victoria, the British Forces are finally able to utilize the strength of their combined military power. The British Air and Sea Battlegroup is one of the strongest Battlegroups in the game, enabling a variety of support elements and abilities to become available. One such ability is the Naval Blockade, which, when active, will prevent enemy forces from being able to capture any neutral territories.
Available for just 2 Command Points from the Battlegroup, this ability can halt enemy progress at the start of the game, denying them valuable early resources - in addition to preventing the capture of strategic or victory points in the late game. This ability is designed to frustrate opponents, and can be used to lure enemy units into traps.
8 Field Repairs (US Forces)
Just as snipers and some other elite infantry units are able to self-heal in combat, the Field Repairs ability grants the US Forces the opportunity for vehicles to regain HP when out of combat. While some of the more elite vehicles for other factions may possess this ability already, or can do so after certain upgrades and veterancy bonuses have been acquired, this ability is available to US Forces as part of the Armored Battlegroup Engineering Corps.
The advantage of this ability, particularly in a game that is as much about territory as it is about kills, is that vehicles will be able to maintain dominant positions on the field. They can do so without the need to return to base for repairs, which can expose vulnerabilities along the way.
7 Recon Artillery (British Forces)
Available via the Field Support & Logisitics tree in the British Armored Battlegroup, this ability will call in a recon plane, followed by an aerial bombardment on any enemy units inside a designated area. The advantage of this lies in being able to attack troops that would otherwise be invisible and out of the battlefield line-of-sight.
Be aware, however, that due to the low-flying nature of the nature of the aircraft, it will be particularly susceptible to enemy anti-air units.
6 Strafing Run (US Forces/Wehrmacht/Afrikakorps)
Available to a variety of factions as part of their Battlegroups, the Strafing Run is ideal for taking out groups of infantry and light vehicles. In an even fight, or when enemies may have a cover advantage over friendly infantry, the Strafing Run can dispatch several enemy squads in just a few seconds if timed and angled correctly.
This ability is relatively cheap for most factions too, meaning it can be used in the early-game to hamper the approach of enemy infantry to great effect. Keep in mind though, that if the enemy has strong anti-air defenses, the Strafing Run might not be successful.
5 Propaganda War (Afrikakorps)
This brand-new and unique ability is exclusive to the Afrikakorps' Italian Infantry Battlegroup. Along with the dual-flamethrower Guastatori squad, this powerful Battlegroup also includes the Propaganda Warfare ability. When activated, a barrage of propaganda leaflets will be dropped on a designated location, causing enemy units to flee.
This may not be as effective as eliminating the enemy units, who will simply retreat to their base and be able to return to combat afterward. However, it can be a very useful weapon if under pressure or having a certain territory point threatened.
4 Battlefield Salvage (Afrikakorps)
The Battlefield Salvage ability will enable the Afrikakorps to gain resources whenever an enemy vehicle is destroyed. Given the vehicle-based of the Afrikakorps faction, these additional resources can help speed up the production pipeline for stronger vehicles. Granting both munitions and fuel, this ability will directly contribute to the production of stronger vehicles in the late-game. As the faction with some of the strongest vehicles in the game, it should be possible to reap huge rewards from this ability when granted.
The British Forces also have a version of this ability, available via the Indian Artillery Battlegroup, called Pillage. This will grant Infantry bonus resources for killing enemy squad members and vehicles.
3 Incendiary Bombing Run (US Forces/Wehrmacht/British Forces)
This truly hellish ability inflicts a spectacular inferno from the skies upon enemy units. Particularly devastating against enemy infantry and light vehicles, this cataclysmic weapon causes several large blasts followed by a shower of flames, ensuring that any survivors of the initial explosions are scorched to death shortly after.
With a wide area of effect, this ability alone can easily change the tide of a battle, and can take out groups of enemies with ruthless efficiency. Available to most factions in the game, this ability is commonly found in the Battlegroups section.
2 Perimeter Monitor (British Forces)
The Perimeter Monitor ability is available via the Indian Artillery Battlegroup, and combines explosive artillery with a tactical advantage. When active, it will automatically begin shelling any enemy units that enter friendly territory. This will allow more time to be spent on micromanaging units rather than having to designate a target area-of-effect, and will also ensure that the player's territory remains well-defended.
A long cooldown time and being a 3rd Tier unlock are the only drawbacks of this ability, which is otherwise one of the greatest advantages to have in the game.
1 Naval Bombardment (British Forces)
This devastating area-of-effect ability is almost guaranteed to obliterate anything that happens to be beneath it. As an off-map ability, the bombardment cannot come under any threat from anti-air units and is therefore indefensible. Covering a huge range, even heavily armored tanks will stand little chance of surviving anything near a direct hit.
At a cost of up to 6 Command Points in total to unlock this ability, it is relatively cheap and fast to unlock. It will have to be used sparingly though, as there is a long cooldown period and a cost of 160 Munitions per use. The ability will also take slightly longer than some air units from the time when flares are deployed to when the attack starts, so enemy units are likely to try to retreat. Take this into consideration when placing the marker.
Company of Heroes 3 is out now for PC and will release later this year for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.