Company of Heroes 2 Characters & Roles guide screenshot

Characters & Roles

Characters & Roles Guide for Company of Heroes 2



Introduction


Company of Heroes 2 (CoH2) features a diverse cast of units and characters across its single-player campaigns and multiplayer factions. Unlike many RPGs or MOBAs, CoH2 does not have traditional 'hero' units with levels and inventories. Instead, the game offers:
  • Campaign characters with story-driven roles

  • Faction-specific units (infantry squads, vehicles, support weapons) that fill distinct tactical roles

  • Commander abilities that act as 'hero skills' tied to unlockable commanders


    • This guide covers every major character, class, role, and playable unit in CoH2, including the Soviet campaign protagonists, the four multiplayer factions (Soviet, Wehrmacht, US Forces, UK Forces), and their associated commanders.

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    Campaign Characters



    #### Soviet Campaign ("The Eastern Front")
  • Lieutenant Pavel Pirozhkov – The player's avatar in the campaign. A young officer leading a penal battalion. His role is to inspire troops and capture points. No special abilities beyond being the command unit for the campaign missions.

  • Commander Vasily Isakovich – A stern senior officer who gives orders via radio. He provides strategic direction but is not a deployable unit.

  • Sergeant Ryabov – A veteran non-commissioned officer who appears in several missions. He can lead squads and has a minor damage bonus when near Pirozhkov.

  • Katya – A female sniper featured in the mission "The Sniper's Path." She is a unique sniper unit with stealth and high accuracy, but is only available in that specific mission.


    • #### Ardennes Assault (US Forces Campaign)
  • Major Riley – Commander of the 101st Airborne. Can call in airstrikes and paradrops. His unique ability is "Rendezvous with Destiny" which temporarily boosts nearby infantry accuracy.

  • Captain Weber – Leads the 2nd Armored Division. Specializes in tank buffs, such as faster repair and increased armor. His ability "Hell on Wheels" grants speed and fire rate to vehicles.

  • Colonel Campbell – Commands the 5th Infantry Division. Focuses on defensive tactics, with abilities like fortifications, medical supplies, and artillery barrage.


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    Playable Faction Units & Roles



    CoH2 has four major factions, each with a distinct roster of units that fill specific roles. Below is a breakdown by faction.

    #### Soviet Union
  • Conscripts – Mainline infantry. Cheap, numerous, but low accuracy and morale. Excellent for capping points and screening. Upgrade with SVT-40 rifles for better firepower. Role: Capture, buffer, human wave.

  • Penal Battalion – Elite close-quarters squad. Armed with SVT-40s and can throw satchel charges. High damage but expensive. Role: Assault, building clear.

  • Shock Troops – Heavy assault infantry. Equipped with PPSh-41 SMGs. Very strong in urban combat. Role: Close-range shock force.

  • Guards Rifle Infantry – Elite long-range squad. Use Mosin-Nagant rifles and can anti-tank grenades. Role: Defensive line, AT support.

  • Sniper – Stealth unit, one-shot kills infantry. Vital for harassing enemy support weapons. Role: Anti-infantry harassment.

  • Maxim HMG – Heavy machine gun. Suppresses infantry. Role: Area denial.

  • M1910 HMG – Alternate HMG, more mobile but less suppression. Role: Defensive fire.

  • ZiS-2 AT Gun – Anti-tank gun, effective against light vehicles. Role: Tank defense.

  • M5 Halftrack – Transport with upgradeable weapons (Quad HMG for anti-infantry) Role: Infantry taxi, support.

  • T-70 Light Tank – Scout vehicle with autocannon. Role: Harass, flank.

  • T-34/76 Medium Tank – Workhorse tank, decent armor/gun. Can ram enemy tanks. Role: Main battle tank.

  • IS-2 Heavy Tank – Powerful tank with huge gun, but slow and expensive. Role: Breakthrough.

  • SU-76 Assault Gun – Light tank destroyer. Role: Ambush AT.

  • SU-85 Tank Destroyer – Long-range AT, high penetration. Role: Sniper tank.

  • BM-13 Katyusha – Rocket artillery truck. Devastating barrage but vulnerable. Role: Area saturation.


    • #### Wehrmacht (German)
  • Grens – Mainline infantry with Kar98k rifles. Good at range, can upgrade with LMG or Panzerschreck. Role: Defensive line, anti-vehicle.

  • Pioneers – Engineers/builders, can repair and lay mines. Role: Construction, repair.

  • Stormtroopers – Elite infantry with StG44s. Very strong close-range. Role: Assault.

  • Jaeger Light Infantry – Stealth squad with camo, snipers. Role: Recon, harassment.

  • Scout Car (222) – Light vehicle with autocannon. Role: Early scouting.

  • SdKfz 251 Half-track – Transport with MG. Can reinforce squads. Role: Fiendly aura.

  • Panzer IV – Medium tank. Versatile with good armor/gun. Role: Main battle tank.

  • Panther – Heavy tank destroyer. Excellent front armor and gun. Role: Tank buster.

  • Tiger – Heavy tank. Devastating but very expensive. Role: Fear factor, breakthrough.

  • Stug III – Assault gun. Good AT but no turret. Role: Ambush defense.

  • Wirbelwind – Anti-air with Flak 38. Also deadly against infantry. Role: Anti-infantry area denial.

  • Nebelwerfer – Rocket artillery. High damage but inaccurate. Role: Area suppression.

  • Ostwind – Anti-air tank with Flak 37. Role: Anti-air, anti-infantry.


    • #### US Forces
  • Riflemen – Mainline infantry. Good all-around with M1 Garands. Can upgrade with BAR or bazooka. Role: Flexible combat.

  • Engineer Squad – Builders and repair. Can lay mines and repair vehicles. Role: Support.

  • Paratroopers – Elite infantry dropped via plane or glider. Can be upgraded with LMG or bazooka. Role: Flanking, ambush.

  • M1919A4 HMG – Machine gun team. Role: Suppression.

  • M1 57mm AT Gun – Anti-tank gun. Role: Tank defense.

  • M8 Greyhound – Light armored car with 37mm gun. Role: Scouting, anti-infantry.

  • M4 Sherman – Medium tank. Can deploy smoke or HE shells. Role: General combat.

  • M10 Wolverine – Tank destroyer with 76mm gun. Role: AT support.

  • M1 75mm Pack Howitzer – Light artillery. Role: Indirect fire.

  • M2 4.2" Mortar – Heavy mortar. Role: Bombardment.

  • M26 Pershing – Heavy tank. Rare but powerful. Role: Breakthrough.


    • #### UK Forces
  • Infantry Section – Mainline with Lee-Enfields. Can be upgraded with Bren LMG or PIAT. Role: Flexible.

  • Royal Engineer – Builders, repair, can deploy tank traps. Role: Engineering.

  • Commando Squad – Elite infantry with Sten SMGs. Stealth and sabotage. Role: Behind enemy lines.

  • UC Carrier – Small armored transport with MG. Can reinforce. Role: Fast infantry support.

  • Universal Carrier – Light vehicle with Vickers MG. Role: Harass.

  • Cromwell Tank – Fast medium tank, good vs infantry. Role: Cavalry.

  • Churchill Tank – Heavy tank, very tough but slow. Role: Armored push.

  • Firefly – Tank with powerful 17-pounder AT gun. Role: Tank destroyer.

  • Centaur AA – Anti-air tank with twin 20mm. Role: Anti-air.

  • 25-Pounder Howitzer – Field artillery. Role: Bombardment.

  • PIAT Team – Infantry anti-tank. Role: AT defense.


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    Commanders as Hero Roles



    Commanders in CoH2 function as a talent tree that grants unique abilities. Some commanders are considered "hero" characters because they provide powerful active abilities that can turn the tide. Notable ones:

    Soviet Commander: “Guards Motor Coordination Tactics” – Unlocks Guards Rifle Infantry call-in, AT overwatch, and T-34/85 upgrade.
    Wehrmacht Commander: “Doctrinal Momentum” – Grants suppression fire, scout plane, and Tiger Ace (a unique heavy tank).
    US Forces Commander: “Heavy Cavalry” – Allows Calliope Sherman, air-dropped munitions, and artillery flare.
    UK Forces Commander: “Tactical Support” – Provides Vickers HMG team, heavy mortar, and supply drops.

    Each commander fills a specific battlefield role. For example, a Soviet commander focused on mechanized infantry will support aggressive pushes, while a defensive Wehrmacht commander with fortifications suits player who hold territory.

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    Team Synergy



  • Soviets: Combine Conscripts (capture) + Shock Troops (assault) + T-34 (speed) + Katyusha (area denial). Disadvantage: fragile tanks.

  • Wehrmacht: Use Grens + Panzer IV + Nebelwerfer. Synergy: Grens hold, Panzers push, Nebelwerfer breaks defensive positions.

  • USF: Riflemen + M8 Greyhound + Sherman + Howitzer. Synergy: Mobility and firepower, weak at sustain.

  • UKF: Infantry Sections + Cromwell + 25-Pounder. Synergy: Flexible defense, strong combined arms.


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    Unlock Conditions



  • Campaign Characters: Unlocked by progressin through the Soviet or US (Ardennes Assault) campaigns.

  • Faction Units: All basic units available from the start in skirmish/multiplayer; may require tech structure upgrades (e.g., Tank Depot for tanks).

  • Commanders: Earned via in-game currency (Command Points) or purchased in the store. Some are exclusive to certain editions.

  • Elite Units (e.g., Shock Troops, Commandos): Unlocked via specific tech buildings (e.g., Barracks upgrade) or commander abilities.


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Recommended Upgrades & Builds



Soviet Conscripts: Upgrade with SVT-40s early for cost-effective DPS. Avoid conscript spam without weapon upgrades.
Wehrmacht Grens: Upgrade LMG for suppression, or Panzerschreck for anti-tank. Balanced build.
USF Riflemen: Give BARs for anti-infantry, bazookas for AT. Mix based on enemy composition.
UKF Infantry Sections: Upgrade Bren LMG for prolonged combat; keep PIAT for light vehicles.

Tank upgrades: Always upgrade armor skirts on T-34/76 (Sov), side armor on Panzer IV (Wehr), or HVAP rounds on Sherman (USF).

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Conclusion


Company of Heroes 2 offers a rich variety of characters and roles, from the gritty Soviet conscripts to the elite UK Commandos. Understanding each unit’s strengths, weaknesses, and proper role is essential for victory. Choose commanders that complement your preferred playstyle, and build unit compositions that cover each other’s weaknesses.

This guide will help you master every character and role in CoH2.