Oh, old man Company of Heroes, so good to see you again. Pull a comfy chair up to the fire and tell us another war story. It must hurt, having seen your younger, free to pay brother pass away so unexpectedly last year, but at least we’ve still got you. And what’s that? You’re not ready to go gently into that good night yourself yet? You have a healthy new patch laden with six extra maps and a bewildering array of balance changes? Excellent.



ARE YOU REAAAAAAAADDDYYYYYYYYYYYYYY? ARE YOU READY FOR PAAAAAAAAAAAAATCH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTES? Because there’s a whole hell of a lot of ’em below. Frankly, this sounds like an ideal time to revisit Relic’s finest multiplayer game. Steam will do the autoupdating thing if that’s how you own the game, otherwise there’s an official torrent to manually grab the 156mb v2.602 patch here

v2.602 – Operation Torch Maps

3 new maps have been added to the game:

* 2p Carpiquet

* 6p Refinery

* 6p Steel Pact

3 new community map have been added to the game:

* 2p Duclair

* 2p Egletons

* 4p Alsace Moselle

The following maps have received significant balance changes:

* 2p Beaux Lowlands

* 2p Flooded Plains

* 2p Ruins of Rouen

* 2p Sturzdorf

* 2p Wrecked Train

* 4p Duclair

* 4p Lorraine

* 4p McGechaen’s War

* 4p Point Du Hoc

* 4p Rails and Metal

Bug Fixes

* Units no longer continue to crawl after recovering from Suppression

* Chance for a kill critical on vehicles is now properly being updated when they’ve received other non-kill criticals (5% bug)

* Unbuilt Tank Traps cannot be repeatedly spawned around enemy vehicles

* All vehicles now properly have vehicle cover

* Registered Artillery can no longer target field defenses

* Registered Artillery can no longer be refunded after use

* M18 Hellcat can now be detected

* Goliath can now be detected

* Recon Squads can now detect camouflage while moving

* Teller Mines no longer have a chance to miss vehicles in vehicle cover

* The Hotchkiss now properly shares experience with other PE units

* ATHT’s using Focus Fire now have intended accuracy vs moving British infantry

* Hetzer Veterancy requirements reduced to standard

* M10 Veterancy requirements increased to standard

* Panzer IV Stubby now prioritizes light vehicles over infantry

* StuH now prioritizes infantry over vehicles

* PE Panzerschrecks no longer convert to Wehrmacht Panzerschrecks when dropped

* Geschutzwagen wrecks can now be salvaged for Munitions

* Luftwaffe reinforce time reduced to standard

* Paks and Nebelwerfers can now use Medkits

* AT Grenades now collide with enemy vehicles

* Hetzer and Jagdpanther CP reward increased to standard

* Panther Battlegroups are much less likely to fail to spawn the second Panther

* Medics no longer detect camouflage

* Snipers and weapon teams can now pick up Supply Drops

* Tank Traps can no longer be placed so close together that they block infantry

* 105mm Howitzers are now re-crewed with 3 squad members

* Removed the chance for the Pak38 support members to one-hit kill infantry

* Bombing Run no longer does double damage to Vet 3 StuGs

* M10 no longer has increased accuracy vs skirted PanzerIVs

* Wehr Officer 81mm Mortar Bombardment can no longer be interrupted to produce false smoke

* Panther Battle Groups and OMCGs will not refund their cost if partially called in on an unfinished building

* AT Guns no longer avoid their reload time by resetting the gun after a shot

* Panthers now properly benefit from Tank Destroyer’s APCR upgrade

* Nebelwerfer rockets no longer have a chance to instantly kill all occupants of a building

* Sappers with the Demolitions & Disposal upgrade are no longer negatively affected by the Lieutenants movement aura

* Pioneer Call-in now has proper requirements after the HQ is destroyed

* PE Armored Cars are no longer resistant to engine damage from mines

* Ranger Bazookas no longer drop with greater frequency than other slot items

* Propaganda War’s chance to not trigger on targets has been removed in most instances

* Snipers are now able to re-enter camouflage after a reasonable duration after exiting a building

* “Burst Fire” effects have been reduced on the Ostwind, Puma, and PE Armored Car

* Kettenkrad’s can now repair resource points that have had Scorched Earth used on them

* American Medics are now selectable (to see unit health)

* Demolition Charges can now be targeted by weapons

* Stickybombs can now be interrupted by retreat commands

* Panzerfaust can now be interrupted by retreat commands

General

Speech

* Some speech files missing from Wehrmacht and Panzer Elite upgrades have been restored

Medics

* Health reduced from 120 to 60

Snipers

* Accuracy vs garrisoned units increased from 75% to 100%

* Will no longer automatically seek cover before firing

Flamethrowers

* Damage vs units in open cover reduced from 1.0x to 0.85x

* Damage vs units in negative cover reduced from 1.0x to 0.75x

* Damage vs Soldier Armour reduced from 1.0x to 0.95x

* Damage vs buildings increased from 0.5x to 0.6x

* Infantry Flamethrower max damage reduced from 40 to 30, min damage increased from 15 to 25

* Sherman and Churchill Flamethrower max damage reduced from 40 to 35, min damage increased from 20 to 30

* Halftrack Flamethrower max damage increased from 30 to 35, min damage increased from 10 to 30

Grenades

* No longer have a chance to miss the targeted location

Abilities

* Weapon using Abilities can no longer be used while Pinned

Base Buildings

* All base buildings can now reinforce

American

Engineers

* Suppression threshold increased to match other infantry

* Suppression recovery threshold increased to match other infantry

* Upgrading with flamethrowers now increases your suppression modifier by 1.5x

Mortar

* Barrage scatter angle reduced from 15 to 10

* Set-up time reduced from 2.4s to 1.5s

* Pack-up time reduced from 2.8s to 1.9s

.30 Cal HMG

* Pack-up time reduced from 2.5s to 2.1s

* Ready aim time decreased from 0.3 to 0.1 (it will aim faster)

Anti-Tank Gun

* Reinforcement cost reduced from 71 to 26

* Accuracy vs Anti-Tank guns reduced from 0.5x to 0.1x

* Accuracy vs Infantry reduced from 0.15x to 0.05x

* Accuracy vs Snipers reduced from 0.15x to 0.02x

* Targeting priority vs Snipers reduced from 10 to 5

* Weapon health increased from 300 to 390

Sherman Crocodile

* Range increased from 20 to 25

* Vet 2 1.5x Penetration bonus replaced with a 0.8x Cooldown bonus

M18 Hellcat

* Speed increased from 6.0 to 7.2

* Acceleration increased from 1.5 to 2.0, Deceleration increased from 3.8 to 4.4

* Vet 2 bonus is now 1.5x Penetration rather than +1.25 Range

* Hellcat penetration at short range increased from .65x to .75x, medium range from 0.55x to 0.69x, and long range from 0.4x to 0.63x

* Target table now identical to the M10’s

* Damage bonus from camouflage reduced from 2.0x to 1.5x

* Penetration bonus from camouflage reduced from 5.0x to 1.5x

M26 Pershing

* Cost reduced from 900 Manpower to 800 Manpower

Off-Map Combat Group

* M8s and Hellcats now spawn with their upgrades

* Population requirement increased from 12 to 15

Off Map Artillery

* Damage modifier vs Pak38s reduced from 2.0x to 1.33x

Jeep

* Received Accuracy from the Pak reduced from 1.0x to 0.75x

* Received Accuracy modifier from the Pak while moving reduced from 0.75x to 0.5x

* Received Damage from the 57mm ATG reduced from 1.0x to 0.5x

Strafing Run

* Significant changes to make Strafe more effective against groups of units and less effective against single units

Sticky Bombs

* Deflection Damage enabled, set to 50%

* Accuracy increased to prevent thrown Stickies from missing their intended target

Riflemen

* Received XP bonus from BARs and Stickies reduced from 5% to 0%

* Received XP bonus from Supply Yard 2 increased from 20% to 30%

T17

* Cooldown lowered from 2-2.5 to 0

* Reload increased from 1 to 3.5

* Health increased from 175 to 265

* Vet 1 Health bonus reduced from +175 to +50

* Fixed an issue where the T17 had a harder time penetrating the rear armour of some vehicles

* Fixed an issue where the T17 would fail to penetrate Snipers

Wehrmacht

Kampfkraft Center

* Now requires a built base structure or a FHQ

Pak 38

* Number of camouflage shots reduced from 3 to 1

* Cost reduced from 310 Manpower to 290 Manpower

* Reinforcement cost reduced from 57 to 23

* Accuracy vs Anti-Tank Guns reduced from 0.5x to 0.1x

* Accuracy vs Infantry reduced from 0.15x to 0.05x

* Accuracy vs Snipers reduced from 0.15x to 0.02x

* Accuracy vs Shermans increased from 1.0x to 1.1x

* Accuracy vs Cromwells increased from 0.8x to 1.0x

* Accuracy vs Pershings increased from 1.08 to 1.15

* Targeting priority vs Snipers reduced from 10 to 5

* Weapon health increased from 300 to 390

Panzerschreck

* Accuracy vs M8 Greyhound Armour increased from 0.73x to 0.85x

* Accuracy vs M3 Halftrack Armour reduced from 1.0x to 0.85x

* Accuracy vs Stuart Armour reduced from 1.0x to 0.85x

* Damage vs Stuart Armour reduced from 1.0x to 0.7x

88mm Flak 36

* Accuracy vs Infantry reduced from 0.5x to 0.15x

* Accuracy vs Snipers reduced from 0.25x to 0.05x

* Targeting priority vs Snipers reduced from 10 to 5

Puma

* Received Accuracy bonuses while moving from Vet removed

* Level 2 Veterancy sight bonus increased from 4 to 10

Officer

* Build Time reduced from 45s to 25s

StuG

* Acceleration increased from 1.7 to 2.5, Deceleration increased from 2.0 to 3.0

G-Wagon

* Damage lowered from 250 to 185

* MG Gunner now requires Vet 2

* Vet 3 bonus reduced from 0.5x Reload to 0.75x Reload

* Accuracy vs Anti-Tank Guns reduced from 0.65x to 0.2x

Nebelwerfer

* Suppression radius reduced from 18 to 13.5

StuH

* CP cost lowered from 3 to 2

* Cost lowered from 600 Manpower to 500 Manpower

Tiger

* CP cost increased from 4 to 5

* Cost lowered from 900 Manpower to 800 Manpower

Assault Grenades

* Maximum damage lowered from 35 to 25, minimum damage lowered from 25 to 10

* Low health kill critical chance increased from 0% to 30%

Knights Cross Holders

* Now passively regenerate 21.12 Health per Minute

* Received Damage from BARs, Brens, and Thompsons reduced from 0.85x to 0.78x

Firestorm

* Damage vs 105mm Howitzers reduced from 1.0x to 0.35x

Medkits

* Cost reduced from 35 Munitions to 30 Munitions

Goliaths

* Goliaths can no longer be Buttoned

* Goliath rotation speed increased from 45 to 65

Rocket Barrage

* Long AoE increment damage increased from 0.1x to 0.2x

* AoE accuracy increased to 100%

Panzerfaust

* Damage vs Bren Carriers increased from 1.3x to 1.45x

* Accuracy increased from 100% to 200% at all ranges

* Accuracy vs infantry halved

Blitzkrieg

* Cost reduced from 150 Munitions to 125 Munitions

Manpower Blitz

* Cost reduced from 200 Munitions to 175 Munitions

MG42

* Cost reduced from 260 Manpower to 250 Manpower

* Build time reduced from 40s to 35s

* Pack-up time reduced from 2.5s to 2.1s

* Weapon health increased from 300 to 390

Halftrack

* Received Accuracy bonuses while moving from Vet removed

Motorcycle

* Received Accuracy bonuses while moving from Vet removed

Schwimmwagen

* Received Accuracy bonuses while moving from Vet removed

* Cost reduced from 240 Manpower to 225 Manpower

* Build time reduced from 45s to 40s

Volksgrenadiers

* Reinforce percentage reduced from 0.5x to 0.4x

* Capture speed increased from 1.0x to 1.25x upon reaching Skirmish Phase

Light MG42

* Drop chance reduced from 60% to 30%

* Long Range Accuracy increased from 0.1x to 0.13x

Commonwealth

Kangaroo

* Cost increased from 240/10 to 300/45

* Health reduced from 650 to 550

* Speed reduced from 6.5 to 5.85

* Build time increased from 35s to 45s

Staghound

* Damage vs Infantry Armour reduced from 1.75x to 1.5x

* Damage vs Airborne Armour reduced from 1.0x to 0.75x

* Damage vs Heroic Armour reduced from 0.85x to 0.75x

* Damage vs Sniper Armour reduced from 1.5x to 1.0x

* Damage vs Soldier Armour reduced from 1.5x to 1.0x

* Accuracy vs Elite Armour reduced from 1.0x to 0.75x

* Accuracy vs Soldier Armour reduced from 1.0x to 0.75x

Sappers

* Now have the Wirecutters ability

17 Pounder

* Health increased from 400 to 450

* Accuracy vs Anti-Tank Guns reduced from 0.5x to 0.1x

* Accuracy vs Infantry reduced from 0.15x to 0.05x

* Accuracy vs Snipers reduced from 0.15x to 0.02x

* Targeting priority vs Snipers reduced from 10 to 5

Lieutenants

* Now receive a 0.85x Received Damage modifier at Vet 1

* Vet 2 Received Accuracy modifier increased from 0.9x to 0.75x

* Now receive a 0.75x Received Accuracy modifier at Vet 3

* Lieutenants’ aura’s stackable damage modifier at veterancy level 1 has been reduced from 1.125 to 1.04

* Lieutenants’ aura’s non-stackable damage modifier at veterancy level 1 has been increased from 1.025 to 1.11

* Lieutenants’ aura’s stackable damage modifier at veterancy level 2 has been increased from 1.025 to 1.065

* Lieutenant’s aura radius increased from 25 to 30

PIATs

* Penetration modifier at short and medium range reduced from 2.0x to 1.0x

* Reload modifier at long range reduced from 1.6x to 1.2x

* Projectile speed increased from 10 to 15

* Penetration vs skirted Panthers reduced from .15 to .112

* Penetration vs skirted PIV reduced from .449 to .337

* Penetration vs skirted StuG reduced from .332 to .249

* Damage vs Infantry Armour reduced from 0.5x to 0.33x

* Damage vs Heroic Armour reduced from 0.5x to 0.33x

* Damage vs Elite Armour reduced from 0.5x to 0.2x

* Damage vs Sniper Armour reduced from 1.0x to 0.2x

* Damage vs Soldier Armour reduced from 1.0x to 0.33x

Mortar Pit

* Build Time reduced from 90s to 60s

* While under construction received damage modifier increased from 0.5x to 0.75x

* Damage reduced from 20 to 18

* Supercharged range decreased from 100 to 90

Recon Section

* Recon Sections can no longer build Trenches

Churchills

* Churchill and AVRE Population lowered from 14 to 8

* Churchill Crocodile Population lowered from 16 to 10

* Churchill 6 Pounder gun AoE distance increased from 0.1/0.25/0.5 to 0.15/0.5/1.0

Bofors

* Build time reduced from 90 seconds to 60 seconds

Bren Carrier

* Self-Repair ability is disabled while the Carrier is garrisoned

* Garrison disabled while Self-Repair is active

Panzer Elite

Halftracks

* All Panzer Elite halftracks have received an update to their pathfinding

Panzer-Jaeger Kommand

* Build time increased from 115 to 135

Gewehr 43

* Maximum cooldown reduced from 1.8 to 1.65, minimum cooldown reduced from 1.25 to 1.15

* Suppressive Volley Fire now Suppresses the target

* Suppressive Volley Fire slow duration reduced from 20s to 5s

Incendiary Grenade

* Hotkey changed from “Y” to “N”

Kettenkrad

* Sight Range increased from 35 to 55

* No longer autotamically moves out of the way of other vehicles

Schwimmwagen

* Sight Range increased from 35 to 55

* Mark Target cooldown increased from 10 seconds to 45 seconds

* Mark Target Munitions cost increased from 0 to 15

* Incendiary Trap trigger radius increase from 0.5 to 2

* Incendiary Trap’s damage-over-time modifier vs British infantry increased from 1.0 to 1.25

Infantry Halftrack

* Accuracy vs Light Cover increased from 0.75x to 0.8x

Panzerschreck

* Accuracy vs M8 Greyhound Armour increased from 0.73x to 0.85x

* Accuracy vs M3 Halftrack Armour reduced from 1.0x to 0.85x

* Accuracy vs Stuart Armour reduced from 1.0x to 0.85x

* Damage vs Stuart Armour reduced from 1.0x to 0.7x

Scout Car

* Detection radius increased from 9 to 18

Vampire Halftrack

* Divert Supplies now camouflages the Vampire while active

* Population reduced from 4 to 2

Munitions Halftrack

* Cost reduced from 200/15 to 200

* Population reduced from 4 to 2

Armoured Car

* Detection radius lowered from 9 to 0

* Accuracy vs garrisoned units increased from 0.4x to 0.45x

* Vet 2 and Vet 3 increase Health by 20 each

* Build time increased from 45 to 55

* Overdrive ability hotkey changed from “O” to “V”

Marder III

* Sight Main Gun LoS bonus increased from +5 to +10

* Tracking speed increased from 10 to 20

* Accuracy vs Anti-Tank Guns reduced from 0.65x to 0.2x

* Population reduced from 8 to 5

Anti-Tank Halftrack

* Accuracy vs M8 Greyhound Armour increased from 1.0x to 1.05x

* Treadbreaker cost increased from 40 Munitions to 50 Munitions

* Population reduced from 6 to 4

Hotchkiss

* Accuracy vs Infantry increased from 0.5x to 0.6x

* Stuka upgrade cost reduced from 150 Munitions to 100 Munitions

* Stuka Barrage cooldown reduced by 10 seconds per Vet level

Bergetiger

* Population reduced from 10 to 8

Hummel

* Population reduced from 12 to 10

Base-Sector Flakvierlings

* Population reduced from 3 to 0