What, Where, How? | Multiplayer Mode Company of Heroes 2 Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Have you already finished the campaign mode, but you still want more? Would you like to try yourself in the multiplayer mode, but you do not know how to start? Are you kicked out of every match because you are a noob? Do not worry, everyone was a beginner once. In this part of the guide, you will learn the basics for multiplayer skirmishes and suggestions of tactics for both sides of the conflict.
Notice, that the suggested tactics are not considered step by step, what and how to do it to win. It is a general overview of the tactics that use the assets of both sides depending on the phase of a match (early game - the beginning and the initial expansion, mid game - both armies have access to units of intermediary quality and late game - both sides have the full arsenal, and the best Abilities, at their disposal., which may, but do not necessarily have to ensure victory, and which you can, or even should modify in accordance with your knowledge and your preferred playing style.
The Basics
First of all, you need to know what you need to do to win the match. There are two ways in which a match can be won. The traditional total destruction of the enemy, or the points. When it comes to points themselves, both side start a match with equal amount of these. By controlling the Victory Points (stars on the map) you decrease the enemy's amount. The first player (or team) to reach 0, loses. There are three Victory Points. As a result, to win a match, you need to control the key territories throughout most of the game.
Since you already know what the rules to achieve victory are, there is still one delicate matter of how to play in order to win. The internet matches are no different from playing against the computer. But, as much as you can, in the single player mode, stop for a moment and catch your breath, due to the kind of the played script, a flesh-and-blood player does not ensure such luxury. That is why speed and knowledge, of what you want to achieve, are such important factors. First of all, it is worthwhile to learn shortcuts. They will ensure with being able to take your actions incomparably faster than in the case of clicking with your mouse. Each Ability and unit to produce has its own shortcut that, usually, corresponds to its name in English. You can see it in the left-hand lower corner of each icon. Also, the production buildings have their own shortcuts, which correspond to the F1-F5 keys.
Another important matter is using the resources. While playing, you should know what and when you want to build. The resources should never lay fallow in your stock, they should be made use of as soon as they appear. It also pays off to know the cost of every unit (these can be found in the section of this guide devoted to the military) and have your plan of development prepared beforehand. You should then control how many units of the resources you already have amassed and, once you collect the right amount for whatever you want to produce, you start the production in two clicks of the mouse. The ability to develop quickly is especially important in the case of playing as the Germans. By building up faster and more coherently than the enemy will ensure you with initial advantage, which may very soon turn into victory if the enemy does not react properly. In order to master the shortcuts, and building up, organize 2vs1 games with the computer. The computer in your team will take care of the battle, while you will be perfecting the shortcuts and the building of the units.
It should also be noted that buildings should not be built side by side which would expose them to artillery fire. By keeping a distance between the buildings you build, you decrease the risk of enemy mortar shell damage two or more buildings at the same time, which might happen if they were built side by side. Furthermore, in Company of Heroes 2, unlike in the case of many other RTS games, you can easily do with one structure of a given type. There is no point to building two structures of the same type because, first of all, of the cost and, your inability to use the potential of two same buildings to its fullest.
Modifications of An Army
An important aspect of the game is the, so called, army modification that you can access directly from the main menu. You can devise a few sets of generals and special bonuses for the units that you will be able to access throughout the matches. By winning, losing getting achievements, playing - in brief, you will be gaining consecutive experience levels, which allows you to unlock more options and Abilities.
Once you come up with your initial strategy that you intend to utilize in the battlefield, it would be a good idea to increase its capabilities by means of bulletins. Do you like making use of the SU - 76? Search through the tabs in search of an upgrade, and you will learn that you can cut the time in which they get promoted to Veterans, by 10%. What you need for that is the light experience level, destruction of 40 lightweight vehicles and 20 SU-76 units with the third veterancy level. The requirements that are necessary to be met to unlock bulletins can also be fulfilled while playing against computer. So, you can play several matches in which you focus on meeting the requirements and then, when matching up against the "live" opponent, you can have the appropriate boost at your disposal. Try and figure out your preferred playing style but, do not stick to it at any cost. Be flexible. You never know what the enemy can dish out for you. Do not restrict yourself to one type of units only. Keep various Abilities for various occasions.