Cheats & Secrets

Cheats & Secrets – Company of Heroes 2

Official Cheat Codes

Company of Heroes 2 does not include a built-in cheat code system like classic RTS games (e.g., \"show me the money\"). Relic Entertainment designed the game to be competitive, so no cheat codes exist in normal multiplayer or single-player. However, the game does support developer console commands for debugging and modding, which can be used to enable cheats in single-player or custom games.

Console Commands (Developer Mode)

To access developer commands, you must launch the game with special parameters.

#### Enabling the Developer Console
1. Right-click Company of Heroes 2 in your Steam Library.
2. Select Properties → Set Launch Options.
3. Enter the following parameter: `-dev`
4. Launch the game. A console will now appear at the top of the screen (press ~ or ` to toggle it).

#### Important Warning
Using the developer console may disable achievements and could cause instability. Use only in single-player, skirmishes, or custom games. Do not use in multiplayer matchmaking—you risk a ban.

#### Useful Console Commands (Single-Player / Skirmish Only)

• `ai` – Toggle AI opponent control on/off.


• `fow` – Toggle fog of war (reveal the entire map).


• `gadget_all` – Unlock all commander abilities for all factions (temporary).


• `instant` – Toggle instant build and instant research (buildings, units, upgrades).


• `kill_all` – Destroy all units on the map (use with caution).


• `runwhilepaused` – Allow game logic to continue while paused (useful for testing).


• `set_mp_team_mp` – Switch teams (use with the player index).


• `showfps` – Display frames per second and performance stats.


• `terrain_toggle_type` – Cycle through terrain rendering modes.


• `unlock_all_commanders` – Temporarily unlock all commanders for the current session (does not persist).


• `victory` – Instantly win the current skirmish.

For a full list, type `help` in the console. Most commands only work in skirmish or single-player modes.

Secret Unlockables & Hidden Content

#### Achievements That Unlock In-Game Items
Some Steam achievements reward unique commander skins, vehicles, or abilities. These are not secret per se, but many players miss them.

#### Easter Eggs
1. The Hidden Soviet Anthem – In the Soviet campaign mission \"The Motherland Calls,\" if you destroy every single German heavy tank on the map without letting any escape, the background music will briefly play a triumphant chorus of the Soviet national anthem (a nod to the original Company of Heroes).
2. Stalin's Statue – On the map \"Kursk\" (especially the 2v2 version), a giant statue of Stalin can be found near the south-east corner. If you order a Conscript squad to salute it (right-click with the Salute ability from the Conscripts' veterancy), the statue will briefly emit a red glow and a propaganda quote will play.
3. \"Panzerlied\" Reference – When you select a group of 5 or more Tiger Tanks from the German faction and repeatedly click on open ground, one of the nearby soldiers may hum the first few notes of the song \"Panzerlied\" (a classic German tank march). This is a very rare audio easter egg.
4. The Radio Operator – In the campaign mission \"The Last Stand\" (US Forces DLC), there is a small hut near the western edge of the map. Click on it 10 times rapidly to spawn a radio that plays period-appropriate American jazz music for 30 seconds.
5. Katyusha Easter Egg – When you manually fire a Soviet Katyusha rocket truck and the rockets are airborne, there is a 1-in-1000 chance that one rocket will trail a faint rainbow-colored smoke instead of white. This was added by a developer as a tribute to a popular mod.

#### Hidden Commander Units (Unlockable via Mods)
Without mods, all commanders are either DLC or earned through achievements. However, one hidden commander, \"The Bear\", exists in the game files but was never officially released. It can be unlocked via a simple mod or by editing `commanders.sga`. This commander grants a unique ability to call in a single elite heavy tank (the IS-2 \"Stalin\'s Wrath\") with increased accuracy but slower speed.

#### Exploit-Safe Secrets

• Instant Victory in Skirmish: Pause the game, open the console (with `-dev` enabled), type `victory`, and unpause. Works only against AI.


• Unlimited Manpower: Use the `gadget_all` command to activate all abilities, then repeatedly use the \"Manpower Infusion\" ability (if available) from certain commanders. This is not a cheat code but a combination of unlocked abilities.




Official Mod Support & Hidden Content


Company of Heroes 2 has Steam Workshop support. Many mods add secret units, cheats, or sandbox modes. For a near-cheat experience, search for:

• \"All Units Mod\" – Gives access to every unit in the game (including cut content).


• \"Sandbox Mode\" – Removes all costs and build times.

Conclusion

While Company of Heroes 2 lacks traditional cheat codes, the developer console (`-dev`) provides extensive power for single-player and custom games. The game also contains several well-hidden Easter eggs and achievement-based unlocks that reward dedicated players. Remember that using any modification or console command can affect multiplayer integrity—always revert settings before playing online.