Company of Heroes: Europe in Ruins News

Hi All,

We just deployed Patch R051.3. This is a smaller patch that contains some bug fixes and balance changes. Launcher side, it also introduces a series of cool new commander portraits for you to choose from on the commander page. In a future patch, these will be linked to specific commander traits with minor warmap or ingame bonuses.

We'll be working towards bringing you some bigger gameplay changes in the April patch, so stay tuned!

- The EIR Team




General/ Launcher

• All offensive offmaps now have a cooldown ranging from 3 - 5 minutes and will start on cooldown at the start of the game.
  
• This is a pretty large update for the Launcher/ Server, due to a large number of backend changes to enable more flexibility from the launcher down the line. I’ve tested as much as possible locally, but testing the post-battle code locally isn't possible, as such, you may find there is some instability in the launcher today. Just let us know if you encounter issues and we'll sort them quickly!
  

New Features:

• Commander Portrait: You can now select and change your commander portrait on the commander tab! (special thanks to EvilSpike for the amazing job on these)
  

Bug Fixes:

• Fixed howitzer and flak 88 vet counting towards company xp modifiers
  
• Minor bits like buttons having white text etc.

Reward Unit changes:

• Sherman Abrams: cost increased to 460 MP, 240 F (from 375 MP, 200)
  
• Assault riflemen: cost reduced to 70 MU (from 110 MU). Flamer upgrade cost reduced to 30 (from 40)
  
• Chaffee: fuel cost reduced to 180 F (from 190), MP cost increased to 320 (from 300)
  
• Comet: hp increased to 900 (from 768), armor type changed to pershing (from sherman), for testing pending reintroduction as a reward unit
  
• Sturmpanzer IV: health increased to 600 (from 500). Rotation rate and accel/decel increased to improve handling. Main gun tracking angle increased by 5 to match StuH. Cost increased to 200 F (from 180)
  
• Kriegsmarine: launcher veterancy now shows correct values
  
• Kugelblitz: damage increased to 18 (from 13), rate of fire dropped to 4 (from 6), medium range increased to 25 (from 20) and accuracy vs planes increased to 1.5 (from 0.96)
  
• Sturmtiger: range increased to 55 (from 50), population reduced to 11 (from 12), speed increased to 4 (from 3.5). Can now buy repair kit
  
• Flakvierling reward unit: pop reduced to 5 (from 6)
  
• Elefant: pop increased to 16 (from 15)

Americans

• Ranger Captain: vet 4 and vet 5 values fixed to match launcher. MU cost increased to 80 (from 60)
  
• Tank Reapers: Extra mine on engineers to 25 MU (from 20), on M8 30 MU (from 20)
  
• BAR upgrade: 2x upgrade cost reduced to 75 MU (from 80), 3x upgrade cost reduced to 110 MU (from 120)
  
• Medical Training: now grants extra purchase of reinforcements (via company offmap selection)
  
• M20: fuel cost reduced to 70 (from 80)
  
• 105 Barrage offmap: cost increased to 90 MU (from 80)
  
• Broken Arrow: cost increased to 100 MU (from 90)
  
• 76mm GMC: infantry accuracy reduced to 0.55 (from 0.75)
  
• AB Engineers: removed bug that allowed vet 5 engineers to reinforce ingame
  

Commonwealth

• Dead Center: now properly gives -60s heroic charge recharge and lit up (third attempt’s a charm!)
  
• Partisans: veterancy requirements set to sapper level instead of commandos
  
• Captain Victor Target: UI overlap issue fixed
  
• Decoy Artillery: cooldown reduced to 300s (from 360)
  
• Ablative Plating: now works on Staghound. Cost on churchills reduced to 160 MP (from 200)
  
• Officer piat: LT piat cost reduced to 60 MU to reflect upgrade giving only 1 piat
  
• Typhoon rocket run: cost increased to 70 MU (from 60)
  
• B25 bombing run: red smoke replaced by lancaster sound, set to 1 use for now.
  
• Staghound: canister shot unlock removed as default option

Wehrmacht

• Boosted Propellant Charge: Nebel firestorm rockets moved to terror propaganda unlock, replaced by free -15s recharge upgrade on stuka and nebel. Duration for StuH BPC increased to 20s from 10, fixed ability not having cooldown.
  
• Propaganda Towers: duration increased to 60s (from 30). Radius increased to 40 (from 30)
  
• Panzer IV/V CT: Can now purchase force recon heal ability
  
• Firestorm: cost increased to 80 (from 70)

Panzer Elite

• PAK 43: crew side reduced to 6, pop reduced to 8, pick up time reduced to 5, set up time reduced to 1. Cost increased to 460 MP, 180 MU (from 400 MP, 160)
  
• Jagdpanther: base unit armour type reverted to jagdpanther. HP increased to 1200 (from 800). Terror of the Eastern Front ability disabled for now pending rework.
  
• X7 rocket offmap: damage increased to 200 - 250 (from 125 - 150). Price increased to 60 MU (from 45)
  
• Henschel offmap: duration decreased to 60s (from 150s). Minimap Icon changed to set it apart from Broken Arrow
  
• Hotchkiss Stuka: Direct Fire doctrine ability recharge increased to 150s (from 110s), cost changed to 60 MU (from 100 MP).
  
• Treadbreaker: cost reduced to 60 MU (from 75)
  
• SE Strafing Run: cost increased to 50 (from 40)
  
• AT Rifle crew shock: UI position changed to 11, should prevent overlap with incendiary grenades

Map changes

• Removed 8p Burgundy
  
• Added 8p Saint Lo (by Skaffa)
  

Hi All,

As we're getting some new players in and are in the process of working out our development priorities for 2021, we wanted to also take some time to check in with you to gather your feedback on the mod and where you think we should focus our energy in 2021. We've created an EIR player survey via google forms, which you can access here or by clicking the image below.



Would really appreciate you all taking some time to tell us about how you've been experiencing the mod, what difficulties you've been facing and what you think we could improve going forward. The survey is a comprehensive one and covers both the launcher and gameplay side of things but shouldn't take more than 10 minutes of your time or so to complete. You'd really help us a great deal by taking part as we will use that feedback to determine the next steps for our development roadmap.

In terms of development, for the next patch we are working on making some further gameplay and balance changes. These will include some changes to the aerial offmaps like broken arrow and the TseTse as well as further improvements and finetuning of the terror and commando doctrines. After that, we hope to be able to take a closer look at both RCA and Luftwaffe as these are two doctrines we feel are most in need of some revamping.

Launcher side, we'll be working to complete the new player template functionality. We've seen a lot of new players use these since their beta-release and we feel it's helped a great deal in getting players set up for their first game. We recognise of course there's still significant other hurdles facing new players coming into the mod and two areas where we'd really like to do more in are in-launcher tutorials/help and providing some form of AI, compstomp mode which would allow new players to get a first practice game in to get a feel for the mod, even when there's no one else around. Both of these are tricky however as they require a lot more launcher and in-game coding.

Which brings us to the last point and that is what you can do to help the mod. EIR is run by a very small team of volunteer developers with busy day-time jobs and so we are always looking to expand the team with new members to keep development going and grow our playerbase. There's really a lot of areas we can use help in, including:

• Launcher coding (Microsoft visual studio, C#, Java)
  
• COH coding (SCAR, Lua)
  
• RGD editing (Corsix mod tools)
  
• Map building (Worldbuilder)
  
• Mod promotion, PR
  
• Creating video materials, tutorials, shoutcasts...
  
• Database (SQL)
  
• Writing unit descriptions, tracking bugs, ...
  
• EIR Wiki
  
• ...
  

So if you feel like you'd be able to help us in any of these areas, please do send us a pm or drop us a line on discord. It would really help us a great deal.

Some of you have also asked us whether we accept donations. We're looking to set up a basic patreon or paypal account for donations which can then help us cover server costs and will let you know when that is up and running. In the meantime, and if you haven't already, you could also consider leaving us a steam review so that more people hear about the mod.

Regards,
The EIR Team

A happy new year to you from everyone at the EIR mod team!

Patch R051 is now live and introduces a number of new features like new player company templates (making it easier for new players to plug in & play) and some new abilities for the commando and terror doctrines. This patch also marks the end of war cycle #2 which started back in August 2020, meaning we're now starting a new war and all existing companies have been wiped, giving everyone the chance of a fresh start. If you haven't yet played EIR or haven't played in a while, now's probably a great moment to jump in!

Some stats from EIR war #2 can be found here.

The full patch R051 changelog can be found below. In future dev blogs we will provide you with a deep dive on some of the new launcher features and doctrine changes.

As always, don't hesitate to drop by our discord server if you need help getting started or want to find a game. There's daily games happening, mostly during the European evening/American afternoon timezone.

Best Wishes,

The EIR team




General/ Launcher

• All Anti Tank guns have had their damage versus ATG armour reduced
  
• Base Doctrine Selections increased to 9 (from 8, reverting previous change)
  
• +1/+2 Doc Seln, commander cards are removed
  
• Base xp per game for unit increased to 5 (from 3)
  
• +3/+4 XP per game cards removed, +1/+2 moved to uncommon/rare respectively
  
• Added tab restrictions for new players (Intel/ Commander after 1 game, warmap after 5)
  
• Added company XP scaling, units in new companies gain XP faster, while those in high vet companies receive it slower. This effect is applied ingame
  
• Attacker pop bonus is now scaled as +0/1/2/3 based on game size (down from 0/2/3/4)
  
• Added Doctrine Templates, you can now choose to use a template when making a new company (Mainly for new players)
  
• Bug Fixes:
  
• Sometimes crashing after loading a template after removing an unlock should be resolved.
  
• Profile data now updates wins/ gold etc. regularly
  
• Fixed selecting commander card UI (Yoffset)
  

Reward Unit changes:

Additions:

• CW: 95mm Churchill
  
• CW: Lord Lovat
  
• US: Marines 1944
  
• US: M36 Jackson
  
• WM: Aufklärer
  
• WM: Wespe
  
• PE: Panzer Pioneers
  
• PE: Sturmtiger (experimental, we may come to regret this)
  

Americans

• Calliope: extra repair cost now matches standard repair kit at 75 MU (from 45 MU). Main gun upgrade will now be applied via launcher unit swap rather than launcher unit upgrade
  
• Assault Engineers: cost reduced to 240 MP, 70 MU (from 80 MU)
  
• M8 Scott: Gun has been reverted to Pre-Artillery. (35 range IST gun)
  
• Broken Arrow: Hotkey changed to prevent overlap with Mortar barrages
  
• Broken Arrow: price increased to 70 MU (from 60)
  
• Staccato Roar: Passive .30 cal AP rounds no longer require separate AP round purchase in addition to the staccato roar upgrade. (Quality of Life change)
  
• GMC: cost reduced to 130 F (from 140 F). AoE/Dmg profile now matches the stummel.
  
• Stuart Rhino: replaced by I&R infantry (recon infantry that cloak in cover)
  
• Chaffee: cost reduced to 190 F (from 250), repair kit price reduced to 45 MU (from 75)
  

Commonwealth

• LTs and Captains: Have had their squad size reduced by one. A corresponding pop reduction has been given alongside this.
  
• Recon Tommies: cost reduced to 250 MP, 50 MU (from 260 MP, 60 MU)
  
• Stuart: Population cost reduced to 7 from 8, fuel cost reduced to 145 (from 150)
  
• Commando Doctrine: Has seen a rework to doctrine composition. Please see the launcher doctrine tree for more detail.
  
• Tetrarch: Population cost reduced to 8 from 9
  
• Daimler AC: Population cost increased to 9 from 8. Glider drop ability returned.
  
• Raid: Cromwell and Jeep Raid variants now applied via unit swap
  
• 2x SMG Thompsons: Tommy upgrade moved to RSE Assault Ordnance from Commandos
  

Wehrmacht

• Stormtroopers: panzerfaust cost increased to 30 MU (from 25, to account for camo-strike)
  
• Pervitin Pills: now purchasable in Blitzkrieg, grants infantry unit significant combat bonus for 30s duration (40 MU).
  
• FlammenHT: maginot flamer upgrade cost increased to 60 MP, 10 F (from 60 MP)
  
• StuH 42: price reduced to 275 MP, 150 F (from 340 MP, 160 F)
  
• Ghost Division: In-built detection penalty reduced from 15m -> 7.5m
  
• Stormtrooper overwhelm Medikits: Fixed issue of kits running out
  
• Stormtrooper overwhelm assault: Fixed issue where combination of doctrines allowed free assault nades.
  
• King Tiger: cost reduced to 1100 MP, 760 F (from 1150 MP, 800 F)
  
• German Superiority: KT zeal aura range extended from 40m -> Functional Map Wide
  
• Scoped STG44: upgrade now moved to terror from defensive. Replaces grenadier mp40s.
  
• German Engineering: Now grants tanks other than the King Tiger Elite Criticals. Reduces chance of incurring engine criticals when hitting mines.. Penetration buff moved to defensive Hammer (renamed Shield) of the Wehrmacht ability.
  
• HEAT Tank MGs: now available in defensive doctrine
  
• Stug III: Terror Passive repair cost reduced to 40 F (from 45)
  
• Tank Terror: Replaced by "Propaganda" unlock, allows the purchase of Propaganda Towers on Volksgrenadiers.
  
• Jagdtiger: Armor reverted to Tiger armor from Jagdpanther.
  
• Unbreakable: passive hp regen cost reduced to 15 MP (from 20 MP)
  
• Steady aim toggle: moved from defensive to terror doctrine fire and advance
  
• HEI-T Explosive Rounds: moved to defensive explosive developments unlock pending rework/buff in a future patch. Price reduced to 30 MU (from 60)
  
• PAK38 Cover & Evasion: cost reduced to 50MP (from 70)
  
• Aufklarer: Recon Snipe ability added.
  

Panzer Elite

• Mortar Halftrack: cost changed to 280 MP, 60 MU, 25 F (from 320 MP, 50 MU, 45 F)
  
• Panzer IV IST: Penetration mod vs stuart armor from 0.2 -> 0.39
  
• SE Faustpatronen package: cost reduced to 50 MU (from 60)
  
• Scoped STG44: upgrade removed from Scorched Earth. Unlock now grants leader rifles and MP717 (1x FG42) only.
  
• Hummel Incendiary Barrage: price reduced to 40 MU (from 80)
  
• 20mm Halftrack: can now purchase Fast Patch and Mechanised Advance upgrades
  
• Hotchkiss Stuka: Main gun upgrade will now be applied via launcher unit swap rather than launcher unit upgrade, now costs 2 pop instead of 1.
  
• X-7 AT rocket: now allows 2 purchases
  
• Wirblewind: Has been given Ostwind criticals vs planes. Additionally, mobile lockdown doctrine ability now functions.
  
• Luftwaffe Henschel: No Longer giver 3x uses per purchase, price reduced to 50 MU (from 60)
  
• Luftwaffe Butterfly Bombs: Now function
  
• Luftwaffe Infantry: Boys AT crewshock missing error resolved.
  
• Pak 43: Now available to purchase in Luftwaffe Doctrine in Field Support
  
• FJ MG34: now available in FJ company unlock, price reduced to 300 MP, 50 MU
  
• Panzerwerfer: Shots per volley increased to 10 to appease Audemed
  

Hi All,

We've just deployed patch R050.04 today. This is a minor patch that fixes a number of smaller bugs and introduces a handful of minor gameplay changes, including the long coveted return of hotchkiss stuka and calliope main guns! (terms and conditions apply)

The full changelog for this patch is included below. As always, do join us on discord and let us know if you come across any more bugs or other gameplay issues. We've still got regular games happening, primarily at EU evening timezones. We've also got some bigger changes in store for our next patch, which we hope to be able to bring to you, together with a war reset, sometime around the holiday season.

- The EIRR team

[h2]Patch 050.04 changelog
[/h2]

Americans

• US Infantry Howitzer: Barrage now functions even if plotting maps not present.
  
• Sherman Variants: 22X_AC armor type (50mm Halftrack) given higher targeting priority.
  
• Airborne Elite: Zeal/LT stars should no longer randomly show up.
  
• Airborne Weapon Crates: Re-enabled. Re-named “Supply Lines”.
  
• On AB: choice of Assault package/Support package/AT package
  
• On AB Medic: Droppable Heal Crate on cooldown.
  
• T17 Stun shot: Smoke cloud debuffs moved to on hit action..
  
• Rifleman BAR upgrade: Once again gives 2x BAR upon purchase. American Industry in US infantry now allows 3x BARs to be purchased. Priced accordingly.
  
• Recoilless Rifles: Price reduced from 200 to 180
  
• AB Operation Cartwheel: Speed bonus now applies out of Hellcat cloak
  
• Calliope: price reduced from 365 to 320 F
  
• Armor Next Generation Vehicles: Now grants ability for Calliope to purchase a 76mm main gun for 2 pop and 80 fuel
  
• AB 37mm Paradropped ATG: Pop reduced to 4
  
• Whizbang now no longer drops as a reward unit, has been replaced by the Sherman Ace

British

• CW support weapon structures: The Bofors Nest, Mortar Pit and Vickers Emplacement have been unified into a single 4 pop non-doctrinal emplacement builder unit. This should allow more flexible support weapon play in a uniquely British fashion.
  
• Supplied and Supported Grenades: Fixed and now once again purchasable in Launcher
  
• Triangulation Beacons: Can be destroyed by owner by double tapping the delete key
  
• Staghound AC: Repair changed from ‘Light’ class to ‘Medium’
  

Wehrmacht

• Pioneer 5x butterfly bombs: Now functions, available for purchase in Defensive explosives unlock
  
• Mustard Gas: Now functions, available for purchase in Terror Infanteriebewaffnung unlock
  

Panzer Elite

• Healcar: Has been removed from Tankhunters and returned to SE
  
• Zirkus Pgrens: Now gain the option to buy the LMG34 rather than the MP 717 (MP717 will be moved back to SE at a later point)
  
• Hotchkiss GP: Rapid fire ability removed
  
• Hotchkiss Stuka: May now purchase the 50mm Main gun under the Scorched Earth explosive developments unlock, at a cost of 1 pop, 60 MP and 50 fuel.
  
• Panzer II: Main gun has been modified to be more consistent vs infantry. Range reverted to 40. Moved to Tank Hunters
  
• Assault Flammen Grens: MP44 icon has been removed to reduce confusion.
  
• Magnetic AT Nades: Now bundled with flame nades
  

Hi All,

We just deployed a new patch which reintroduces the command bar for offmaps and includes a number of other smaller balance tweaks. Offmaps are now purchased in the company screen, next to the unit roster, rather than on radiomen.

The full changelog for this patch is included below.

Lastly, just a note that COH is currently having some issues with custom games not showing up in the ingame lobby. This means that until Relic resolves the issue, you will have to join games through the friends list. We very much recommend therefore that you join the mod on discord if you're playing EIR. The discord can be joined at: https://discord.gg/J96DekM

- The EIR Team

[h2]Patch R0.50.02 changelog
[/h2]

US

1. Recoilless Rifles:
Angle scatter improved from 12.5 to 7.5
Scatter ratio’s set to 0.5 from 0.2/0.3
Price to 200 munitions from 150

2. Airborne Hard and Fast doctrine unlock
Removed: +4 player population
Satchels on AB engineers now provide a package of different abilities:
Satchel charge, Roebuck Grenade (+ splash damage), Stun Grenade (7s slow and weapon disable)

3. Airborne Ballistic Caps doctrine unlock
Renamed to Trained NCOs
Recoilless Rifle penetration and damage buffs removed
Now grants Victor Mortar ability and Tank commander unlock for Sherman 75/76.

4. Airborne Pathfinders doctrine unlock
Added bonus for recon runs

5. GMC smoke barrage
Now correctly functions with Base of Fire upgrade

6. Airbourne commando nades
No longer disappear if Hard and Fast doctrine is selected.

7. Reward infantry that cannot be clearly identified as riflemen/riflemen variants have had their ability to throw sticky grenades removed. (Chausseurs/volontaires)

8. M8 Scott: Target tables modified to more consistently target infantry

9. Plotting Maps Recharge: No longer requires purchase to function.


Commonwealth

1. 25lb/FOO/Creeping Barrage
Shell FX reverted to vCOH (larger explosions)

2. Staghound Armored Car
50.cal, HP and main gun Reverted to vCoH stats
Population increased to 10 from 8

3. Cromwell
Acceleration reduced to 2.7 from 4.85
Deceleration reduced to 4.5 from 9
Rotation reduced to 40 from 70
Population cost reduced to 10 from 12

4. Stuart Light Tank
Will no longer bounce when shooting the rear of certain targets.

5. RCA Dead Center doctrine ability
Now gives +4 player pop instead of team pop.

6. Gammon Bombs
Now function

7. Commando Mosquito offmap
Potential damage per run reduced


Wehrmacht

1. Pervitin Pills
Now reeneabled for blitzkrieg
Offensive bonuses expanded.

2. Jagdtiger
Vehicle criticals changed to tank criticals.

3. PIV/V Command Tank
Overlap of inspiration Aura with repairs resolved.


Panzer Elite

1. Panzer III
Non-upgun variant has been reverted to previous version
Upgun + Skirted upgrade modified to account for the above changes.
Can now purchase Zimmerit, Command elements and Infrarot (accuracy bonus)

2. Hetzer main gun/infrarot variant
Ready aim time reduced from 1.5 to 0.5

3. Stummel
Target Tables modified to more consistently auto-aim for infantry.