Company of Heroes is the third installment in the legendary real-time strategy series covering one of the bloodiest conflicts in recent history - World War II. Since the game was released, the developers at Relic Entertainment have been carefully tweaking the pendulum of power between factions to make the game as balanced as possible, including making gameplay changes and quality-of-life improvements. All of these will be included below.
Company of Heroes 3 Balance Update 1.1.4 Patch Notes - April 20, 2023
GENERAL GAMEPLAY CHANGES
Anti-Tank Rifles
Afrikakorps Panzerjager Panzerbusche & British Corps Infantry Section Boys Anti-Tank RiflesAnti-Tank rifles are overperforming in their ability to shutdown vehicle play and engage targets while under suppression. The following changes address these cases and allow vehicles to kite Anti-Tank Rifle Units.
- Range decreased from 40 to 35
- Weapon cooldown modifier when suppressed increased by +50%
Auto-Reverse Distance
Auto-reverse distance is being increased to reduce how often a player needs to use the Reverse ability and make it easier to back vehicles up during the heat of battle.
- The distance a player can now right-click to issue an automatic auto-reverse command without using the auto-reverse ability has been set from 20 to 60
Barbed Wire
- Armor increased from 1 to 10
Bunkers
Wehrmacht Bunkers & Afrikakorps Heavy Machine Gun Bunker
- Build times standardized to 20 seconds
Button Abilities
Wehrmacht Flak 30 AA Gun, US Forces M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage & US Forces M1919 Heavy Machine Gun Team
Button has been overhauled to be less punishing. Buttoned vehicles can now fight back and will no longer be immobilized, allowing them to maneuver or retreat.
- Button no longer disables weapons
- Button now reduces sight by 50% and speed by 25%; speed penalty is increased to 50% on penetrating hits
- Duration set to 15 seconds
- Indicator now added when the ability is active
- Recharge time standardized to 120 seconds
Forward Reinforcement Times
We have adjusted forward reinforcement to lessen the power of front-line reinforcement, especially during combat. This should dramatically lower the efficiency of forward reinforcing, making it less oppressive in larger games.
- Reinforcement time of in-combat units located +45m away from the HQ increased by +100% for a total of +200%
- Reinforcement time of units located +45m away from the HQ increased by +100%
Mobile Anti-Tank Guns
Anti-tank guns are seeing improvements across the board, increasing their reliability and performance against vehicles. Additionally, we have implemented key adjustments to minimize the frequency of shells striking the terrain ensuring a more consistent performance at long ranges.
- Will hit objects and terrain significantly less
- Horizontal traverse speed increased from 16 to 24
- Aim-time decreased from 0.5 to 0.125
- Build times standardized to 40 seconds
- Reinforcement time standardized to 5 seconds
- Accuracy at long-range increased by 7%
Mobile Heavy Machine Guns
Heavy Machine Guns are seeing improvements across the board to address their unreliability in their anti-infantry / or “anti-blob” role.
- Cost standardized to 240 manpower
- Crew health increased from 80 to 90
- Horizontal traverse speed increased from 35 to 50
- Infantry now become pinned around 17% faster
- Reinforcement time standardized to 5 seconds
- Suppression radius increased from 13 to 15
- Suppression recovery now takes 3 seconds longer
Smoke
Reducing smoke duration serves two purposes: reducing stall times for units contesting capture points while hiding into smoke and decreasing smoke effectiveness when countering Heavy Machine Guns.
- Smoke duration decreased from 30 to 20 seconds
Snipers
We are reducing the effectiveness of snipers when operating independently. They will now require spotters to utilize their full range and are more vulnerable to incoming fire. Furthermore, these units will now fire marginally slower.
- Aim-times standardized to 1.75 seconds
- Target size increased from 1.33 to 1.5
- Vision range decreased from 45 to 35
- Weapon cooldown increased from 3.5 to 3.75/3.825 seconds
FACTION CHANGESUS Forces
US Forces continues to struggle in team game modes where many of their advantages are less pronounced. Our focus for this patch has been to improve their mid-game options, reduce the price of certain upgrades, and strengthen their light vehicle play.
4x4 Truck
- 30cal machine gun lethality increased by 13%
- Self-repair speed increased from 8 to 12
- Self-repair duration increased from 10 to 15
- Veteran ability Capture and Decapture speed increased from 100% to 125%
Advanced Logistics
- Manpower cost reduced from 250 to 200
Assault Engineers
- Reinforcement cost decreased from 25 to 23
Bazooka Team
- The Destroy Obstacles ability damage penalty against infantry is increased from 25% to 75%
- White Phosphorus Rocket ability cost increased from 25 to 35 munitions
Engineer
- Reinforcement cost decreased from 25 to 23
Grenade Package
- Fuel cost decreased from 25 to 15
- Research time decreased from 30 to 25 seconds
High Velocity Armor Piercing Rounds
M4A3E8 Sherman & M18 Hellcat
- Can no longer pierce through shot-blocking obstacles
- HVAP rounds now use the reload times of the parent vehicle’s main weapon, this is a general reload time decrease of 1 second resulting in increased rate of fire
M3 75mm Gun Motor Carriage
We have adjusted the M3 75mm Gun Motor Carriage to be geared to destroying lighter vehicles and providing fire support against units like dug-in infantry and Heavy Machine Guns.
- Aim-time decreased from 1 to 0.125
- Barrage range decreased from 60 to 50
- Barrage recharge decreased from 70 to 45 seconds
- Penetration decreased from 300/250/220 to 200/160/140
- Reload time decreased from 4/4.5 to 3.75 seconds
- Rotation rate increased from 30 to 50
M3 Half-track
- Conversion to M3 75mm Gun Motor Carriage decreased from 75 to 60 munitions
- Manpower cost decreased from 270 to 250
- Non-converted form now gains Shared Veterancy
M4 Sherman 105mm Dozer
- Manpower cost decreased from 420 to 400
M8 Greyhound
These changes are intended to increase the Greyhound’s performance against infantry in open terrain.
- .30cal Coaxial Machine Gun lethality increased by 10% at all ranges
- .50cal Pintle Machine Gun lethality increased by 20% at all ranges
- Speed increased from 6.4 to 6.75
M8 Scott
- Barrage minimum range decreased from 15 to 10
- Cost decreased from 320 manpower and 60 fuel to 280 manpower and 50 fuel
- High Explosive Barrage reload time decreased from 3/4 to 2/2.75 seconds
- Horizontal weapon traverse speed increased from 30 to 45
- Reload time decreased from 4.5 to 3.5/4 seconds
- Vertical weapon traverse speed increased from 10 to 15
M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage
- Armor decreased from 12.5/9.375/6 to 10/7/5
- Can now use the Prioritize Vehicles ability
- Damage against aircraft decreased by -77.5%
- Weapon penetration decreased from 2.5/2/1.5 to 2.5/1.5/1.25
M24 Chaffee Light Tank
These changes will make the unit more effective at hunting down other light vehicles, give it better maneuverability to flank heavier vehicles, and disengaging from enemy threats.
- Acceleration from 2.5 to 3.5
- Deceleration from 3.5 to 5.5
- Manpower cost reduced from 320 to 300
- Now has medium vehicle pathing and medium crush
- Rotation rate from 35 to 40
- Reload time decreased from 3.875/4.375 to 3.5/4 seconds
- Speed from 5.5 to 6.5
M1918 Browning Automatic Rifles
- Research time decreased from 45 to 30 seconds
M1919 Heavy Machine Gun Team
- Build time decreased from 45 to 30
Riflemen
Pour it On’Em has received a heavy adjustment to its suppression. Previously, it allowed Riflemen to win all infantry engagements through suppression while also receiving a damage boost. Browning Automatic Rifles have also had their accuracy slightly increased to improve their effectiveness at range.
- Browning Automatic Rifle long-range lethality increased by 15%
- Browning Automatic Rifle mid-range lethality increased by 5%
- Pour it On’Em Ability
- Area suppression removed
- Recharge time from 120 seconds to 180 seconds
- Weapon suppression adjusted; changes are a general decrease
- Browning Automatic Rifle suppression decreased from 0.005 to 0.003
- Garand Rifle suppression increased from 0.005 to 0.0075
- Thompson SMG suppression decreased from 0.01 to 0.00075
Survival Training
- Fuel cost decreased from 80 to 50
- Health increase now applies to team weapon crews
M4A3E8 Sherman
To differentiate the Easy Eight from regular 76mm Shermans, the High-Velocity Armor Piercing Rounds ability now comes as default, while also retaining the regular Sherman veterancy abilities, giving the tank excellent flexibility and options.
- High-Velocity Armor Piercing Rounds veteran ability is now a default ability
- Veterancy abilities changed to the match standard M4A1 Sherman – High Explosive Rounds and White Phosphorous Rounds
Sherman Whizbang
- Cost reduced from 400 manpower and 100 fuel to 380 manpower and 80 fuel
- Population cost decreased from 14 to 13
US Forces Battlegroups
Armored Battlegroup
- Rapid Production Command Point cost decreased from 1 to 0
- Seek and Destroy Command Point cost increased from 2 to 3
- Strength in Steel Command Point cost decreased from 2 to 1
Field Repairs
Field Repairs has been reworked to be easier to use and have a greater impact.
- Ability duration increased from 30 to 45 seconds
- Health restored per second increased from 11 to 20
- Munitions cost decreased from 125 to 100
- Will now activate if the vehicle is on the move
M4A3E8 Sherman Combat Group
The cost of the combat group has been significantly reduced to better reflect the capabilities of the Sherman Easy Eight, its timing, and its position in the Battlegroup.
- Cost decreased from 800 manpower and 120 fuel to 640 manpower and 100 fuel
- Command Point cost decreased from 8 to 7
- The Sherman Easy Eight will now enter the field carrying a Veteran Level 1 Assault Engineer Squad instead of the standard Rifleman Squad
Special Operations Battlegroup
- Sherman Whizbang Command Point cost decreased from 6 to 5
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht is receiving boosts to its early game with improvements focused on the Panzergrenadier Kompanie to increase build and composition diversity. We are also addressing the dominance of Jägers across all game modes.
251 Medium Carrier
- Conversion to Stummel cost decreased from 90 to 60 munitions
- Non-converted form now gains Shared Veterancy
- Riegel Mines now properly camouflage and trigger
- Riegel Mine damage increased from 300 to 500
- Riegel Mine deployment time from 11.5 seconds to 7.5 seconds
Armored Car 221
- Cost decreased from 280 manpower and 30 fuel to 220 manpower and 25 fuel
- Panzerbusche mid-range accuracy increased by 18%
- Panzerbusche far-range accuracy increased by 43%
- Speed increased from 6 to 7.75
Fallschirmjaeger
- FG 42 ready-aim time from 0.125 to 0.5/1
Fallschirmpioneers
- Reinforcement cost increased from 28 to 30 manpower
Flak 30 20mm Anti-Air Gun
- Build time decreased from 50 to 45 seconds
Grenadiers
Grenadiers have received several adjustments to slightly improve their performance, so they are in-line with other early game infantry.
- Assault Package cost from 45 to 50 munitions
- Assault Package Sprint ability munition cost removed
- Sprint recharge time increased from 35 to 180
- Manpower cost decreased from 270 to 260
- Medical kit healing duration increased from 15 to 30 seconds
- Medical kit healing rate per second reduced from 8 to 6
- Veterancy Level 2 accuracy bonus multiplier increased from 10% to 15%
- Veterancy requirements decreased from 900/2700/5400 to 800/2400/4800
Hulldown Ability
This ability now has a delayed activation to prevent immediate defensive boosts.
- Hulldown bonuses are activated 10 seconds after the ability is triggered.
- An indicator was added to represent the countdown before the bonus triggers.
Jäger Light Infantry
The Panzerschreck Jägers high flexibility, powerful base stats, and superior anti-tank capabilities have made them dominant in all modes. We are shaving off a significant amount of power from the unupgraded Jäger and Panzerschreck Jägers, emphasizing tradeoffs when opting out of the Reconnaissance Package.
- Capture and decapture rate decreased from 150%/125% to 133%/100%
- Smoke grenade range decreased from 45 to 35
- Sight reduced from 42 to 35
- Reconnaissance Package now increases vision by +7 and capture and decapture rate back to 150%/125%
Panzerschreck
- Accuracy against infantry decreased by 50%
- Area of effect damage removed
- Long-range aim-time multiplier increased from +50% to +100%
- Ready-aim time increased from 1/1.25 to 1.25/1.5 seconds
- Scatter increased; rockets should no longer reliably scatter into vehicles at longer ranges
Marder III M Tank Destroyer
- Long range accuracy increased by 20%
MG 42 Heavy Machine Gun Team
- Build time decreased from 26 to 25
Officer Quarters Upgrades
Infanterie Kompanie, Luftwaffe Kompanie, Panzergrenadier Kompanie & Panzer Kompanie
- Research time decreased from 45 to 30 seconds
Panzer IV Command Tank
- Acceleration increased from 1.9 to 2.5
- Deceleration increased from 3 to 4
- Speed increased from 5 to 5.5
Panzergrenadier Squad
- Manpower cost decreased from 360 to 340
Related: Can you play Company of Heroes 3 on Steam Deck? Answered
StuG III G Assault Gun
We have made major changes to the StuG III to make the vehicle more attractive in larger and later games where it was unreliable at fighting enemy armor.
- Acceleration increased from 1.9 to 2.67
- Cost adjusted from 360 manpower and 50 fuel to 300 manpower and 60 fuel
- Deceleration increased from 3 to 4
- Long-range accuracy increased from 0.045 to 0.0475
- Rotation rate increased from 30 to 40
- Reload time decreased from 4/4.5 to 3.5/4 seconds
- Weapon penetration increased from 180/140/110 to 250/180/140
Stosstruppen
Stosstruppen have received a number of improvements to make them the premiere anti-infantry squad for their cost and timing.
- Armor increased from 1 to 1.25
- Overall DPS output increased by 13%
- G43 accuracy increased from 62% / 61%/ 57% to 70% / 67% / 64%
- G43 now properly reloads after 10 rounds fired, not 9
- LMG accuracy from 46%/ 45%/ 40% to 48% / 47% / 44%
- LMG will no longer spread damage on the targeted squads but instead focus down individual entities
- Reinforcement cost increased from 39 to 40
StuG III D Assault Gun (Short Barreled)
- Acceleration increased from 1.9 to 2.67
- Deceleration increased from 3 to 4
- Rotation rate increased from 30 to 40
Stummel Half-track
The Stummel has been adjusted to make it a more effective fire-support unit against infantry through increased range and area of effect damage.
- Auto-fire range increased from 40 to 45
- Auto-fire minimum range removed
- Area of Effect radius from 5 to 6
- Area of Effect damage increased from 33% / 25% / 15% to 35 % / 25% / 20%
- Penetration for barrage and auto-fire standardized to 20
Sturmpanzer IV Brummbar
- Build time decreased from 55 to 45 seconds
- Cost decreased from 440 manpower and 120 fuel to 440 manpower and 110 fuel
- Rotation rate increased from 25 to 28
- Reload time decreased from 8.25 to 6/6.25 seconds
- Speed increased from 4 to 4.25
Wespe Self-Propelled Gun
- Barrage recharge time reduced from 60 to 45 seconds
- Creeping Barrage recharge time reduced from 180 to 70 seconds
Wehrmacht Battlegroups
Breakthrough Battlegroup
Panzer IV Command Tank
- Command Point cost reduced from 4 to 2
Luftwaffe Battlegroup
Luftwaffe is adjusted to be in-line with the other battlegroups.
- Lg 40 Paradrop and Reserve Infantry abilities positions are now interchanged in the Battlegroup tree
Fallschirmjager Paradrop
- Manpower cost increased from 340 to 380
Fallschirmpioneer Paradrop
- Manpower cost increased from 260 to 280
- Recharge time increased from 60 to 75 seconds
Mechanized Battlegroup
- 8 Rad Armored Car Command Point cost reduced from 3 to 2
- Stosstruppen Assault Package Command Point cost reduced from 2 to 1
- StuG III D Assault Group Command Point cost reduced from 4 to 3
Mechanized Assault
- Munition cost increased from 80 to 120
British Forces
The British Forces’ dominance with massed infantry backed by powerful upgrades led to oppressive gameplay and reduced build and unit diversity. We have significantly reduced the effectiveness of these strategies, requiring the faction to rely on combined arms to get the most out of their units.
Bishop Self-propelled Gun
- Barrage recharge time increased from 30 to 45 seconds
B.L. 5.5 Inch Artillery Emplacement
- Build time decreased from 70 seconds to 40 seconds
Centaur
The Centaur has been improved to push the unit towards a mobile anti-infantry vehicle that deals steady damage to infantry, while being able to disengage from most threats.
- Area of Effect radius increased from 4 to 6
- Cost decreased from 380 manpower and 80 fuel to 360 manpower and 75 fuel
- Horizontal traverse speed increased from 25 to 50
- Reload speed decreased 6 to 4.5 seconds
- Smoke Shot veteran ability now only fires 1 round
- Speed increased from 5.2 to 6
CMP15 CWT AA Truck
We have adjusted the CMP15 CWT AA Truck to primarily be geared to shooting down aircraft. We will be revisiting this unit in future updates.
- Anti-aircraft range bonus from +600% to +1000%
- Horizontal traverse speed increased from 120 to 160
- Now deals +50% extra damage against aircraft
- Range reduced from 45 to 40
Commando Light Machine Gun Section
- Manpower cost reduced from 350 to 320
- Population cost reduced from 9 to 8
Commandos
- Reinforcement cost decreased from 40 to 31
Crusader II
Fuel has been increased to better reflect the performance of the Crusader.
- Fuel cost increased from 60 to 70
Dingo
- Coordinate Barrage and Decoy Flare range decreased from 60 to 45
- Coordinated Barrage cost decreased from 45 to 35 munitions
- Distribute Medical Supplies duration increased from 15 to 45 seconds
- Distribute Medical Supplies recharge time decreased from 180 to 120
Infantry Section
The following change now forces Infantry Sections to be in cover to gain their veterancy 1 ability bonuses, making them less effective when in the open.
- Base of Fire passive veteran ability now requires the unit to be in cover to activate
- Coordinated Barrage cost decreased from 45 to 35 munitions
Matilda II Heavy Tank
- Population cost reduced from 14 to 13
Royal Engineer Section
- Build time increased from 16 to 20 seconds
Training Center Upgrades
The Training Center provided excessive value for its cost, could be confusing for players and enabled Veteran British units to heavily out scale their opponents. We have streamlined the combat bonuses to only apply once and removed the damage bonus. This significant reduction should maintain British units’ early-to-mid game power but result in a noticeable drop in late-game scaling.
- Combat bonuses now only apply once to units with at least 1 level of Veterancy
- Damage bonuses from all upgrades removed
- Upgrades buff no longer stacks per veterancy level. It is now a consistent 10% bonus that is applied only once
Vicker Heavy Machine Gun Team
- Build time decreased from 41 to 30 seconds
British Forces Battlegroups
Air and Sea Battlegroup
- Hawker Typhoon Anti-Tank Loiter Command Point cost increased from 3 to 5
- Incendiary Bombing Run Command Point cost increased from 1 to 3
Naval Blockade
- Duration reduced from 60 to 30 seconds
- Munitions cost reduced from 80 to 50
British Armoured
- Churchill Black Prince Command Point cost increased from 6 to 7
Indian Artillery
These changes to the Battlegroup better reflect the power of Volunteer Infantry and its role as a middle to late game option that requires the player to commit to the end of the Battlegroup tree.
- War Cry and Volunteer Infantry positions swapped; command point costs for both abilities unchanged
4.2 Inch Heavy Mortar
- Cost increased from 440 manpower to 440 manpower and 20 fuel
Perimeter Monitor
- Perimeter Monitor Cost increased from 150 to 225 munitions
Afrikakorps
The Afrikakorps were oppressive in its middle and late game while also being overly vulnerable early on. We are making minor adjustments to even this out by strengthening its early game and reducing the power of their Armory upgrades.
250 Light Carrier
These changes should allow Afrikakorps players to delay building dedicated healing.
- 20mm autocannon conversion cost reduced from 75 to 60 munitions
- Build time reduced from 40 to 35 seconds
- Distribute Medical Supplies duration increased from 15 to 45 seconds
- Distribute Medical Supplies recharge time decreased from 180 to 120
Advanced Field Repairs
- Manpower cost reduced from 250 to 200
Booby Trap
- Armor reduced from 35 to 1
Emergency Repair Kits
- Manpower cost increased from 250 to 325
Fire Support Elements
- Cost reduced from 150 manpower and 45 fuel to 100 manpower and 40 fuel
Flak 36 88mm Anti-Tank Gun
- Build time increased from 30 to 45 seconds
Flakvierling Half-track
The Flakvierling Half-track is having its effectiveness increased to better reflect its timing and role as a low durability, but high firepower unit.
- Accuracy increased from 40% / 35% / 30% to 44% / 42% / 36%
- Angle scatter reduced from 8 to 3
- Burst duration increased from 1.75/2.5 to 3.5/4 seconds
- Weapon cooldown reduced 2/2.5 to 1.5 seconds
- Weapon long-range cooldown multiplier increased by 50%
Guastatori
Guastatori have been adjusted to remove their anti-vehicle snare, focusing their role as an anti-infantry and anti-garrison unit. Their cost has been reduced to reflect this.
- Anti-tank satchel ability removed
- Manpower cost reduced from 440 to 400
- Now able to plant regular mines
- T.35 Gas Mask ability now requires Veteran Level 1
Kradschutzen Motorcycle Team
Build times are being reduced to improve the standard Afrikakorps openings, that include Panzergrenadiers.
- Build time reduced from 35 to 30 seconds
L6/40
The armor of the L6/40 has been increased, pushing this unit towards a low health vehicle that is immune to Heavy Machine Guns and small arms.
- Armor increased from 40/20/15 to 50/40/25
- Flamethrower munition cost reduced from 75 to 50
Le.IG 18 Support Gun
- Build time reduced from 61 to 45 seconds
MG 34 HMG Team
- Build time set to 30 seconds
Pak 38 Anti-Tank Gun Team
- Manpower cost reduced from 290 to 260
Panzerjaeger
- Panzerjaeger Tear Gas Shot ability no longer creates a White Phosphorous Cloud explosion effect. The performance is unaffected.
Panzergrenadier Squad
Build times are being reduced to improve the standard Afrikakorps openings, that include Panzergrenadiers.
- Build time reduced from 25 to 20 seconds
Rapid Advance
- Rapid Advance manpower cost increased from 250 to 325
StuG III D Assault Gun
- Acceleration increased from 2.5 to 2.67
- Deceleration increased from 3 to 4
- Rotation rate increased from 30 to 40
- Support Advance ability range reduced from 60 to 45
- Support Advance ability toggle recharge now from 0 to 5
Tungsten Rounds
Tungsten Rounds is having its damage bonus removed as they added too much passive power for Afrikakorps vehicles against infantry and vehicles. Penetration bonuses have been slightly increased to compensate.
- Damage bonus removed
- Penetration bonus increased from 20% to 25%
Vehicle Survival Package
We are lowering the durability bonus so most vehicles, when combined with Emergency Repair Kits, can survive one additional hit rather than two.
- Health bonus reduced from 80 to 40
Afrikakorps battlegroups
Armored Support
- Assault Salvage Command Point cost reduced from 3 to 2
- Panzer III Flame Tank Command Point cost increased from 3 to 4
- Panzer Storm Command Point cost reduced from 3 to 2
- Superior Fire Drills Command Point cost reduced from 2 to 1
- Stuka Anti-Tank Loiter Command point increased from 3 to 5
- Veteran Gunners Command Point cost reduced from 2 to 1
Italian Combined Arms
- Force Recon Command Point cost reduced from 2 to 1
- Secure Location Command Point cost reduced from 2 to 1
Bug Fixes
- Dingo is now properly affected by Training Center upgrades
- Fixed an issue where all Marders would take additional damage on rear-hits
- Fixed an issue where Improvised Armor did not apply to M4A1 Sherman 76mms and Sherman Whizbangs
- Fixed an issue where mines would suppress retreating units
- Fixed an issue where Paratrooper carbines did not ignore cover at short-range
- Fixed an issue where the Commando Grenade had minimum range
- Fixed an issue where the Training Center Upgrades would not apply
- Fixed an issue where the Wehrmacht 8 Rad Armored Car did not share the same mobility or autocannon stats with its Afrikakorps counterpart
- Fixed an issue where the White Phosphorous Rounds for the MG 42 would cause a Blind effect on vehicles
- Fixed an issue where veterancy 3 was not providing the correct bonus to Anti-Tank Guns
- Riegel Mines now properly camouflage and trigger
Looking for more Company of Heroes guides? We have you covered with our Company of Heroes game section here on Pro Game Guides!
Published: Apr 20, 2023 08:56 pm