Men of Steel: New and Updated Traits
Hello, commander!
Ready for another peek at the next expansion, Steel Division 2: Men of Steel? Today is not a showcase of new models, but an expanded system directly affecting a host of units in-game: new and updated Traits.
Let’s dig in.
[h2]Traits[/h2]
We have come full circle. One feature of Steel Division 2 was how certain units would have specific Traits that would set them apart and provide bonuses (or drawbacks) on the battlefield. Little details like this dig not only into realistic (and historical) reasons but also influence the way you deploy and order your units around.
Over time, we expanded this list, but you might recognize the Disheartened trait, Radio, or the Tank Buster one. Some traits would just explain the innate abilities of a unit, while others would provide a specific function or characteristic, such as the experience boost of Leader unit or the Disciple trait (to keep those cowardly Disheartened units in line).
With the new Cold War cousin of Steel Division 2, WARNO, we took the Trait system a step further, to differentiate each unit and their role on the battlefield even more. Some of these Traits will find their way back into Steel Division 2: Men of Steel, together with several new ones.
Please note that the following list is not complete and final. We might change certain traits, add or remove unit types, or tweak their mechanics as we see fit.
[h2]Traits adapted[/h2]
We begin with traits that have already been introduced WARNO. These have all been adapted to World War II’s battle conditions in Steel Division 2.
SHOCK
This trait will be given to units dedicated and drilled for close combat. They are soldiers excelling in using SMGs, pistols, grenades, explosives, knives, and even entrenching tools if they have to. Units with the Shock trait will inflict more physical damage at very close range, meaning inside city blocks or in forests.
The following units will receive the Shock trait:
SECURITY
This particular trait will grant the Good recon optics to regular infantry units, but only when they are stationary. The Security trait is given to typical rear-area security forces whose mission was usually focused on patrolling in quieter sectors. As Steel Division 2 takes place during the summer and early autumn of 1944, this trait will mostly find its way to Axis security units forced to fight on the actual front line more often than not.
Units with the Securit trait:
TANK RIDERS
This trait can also be found in Steel Division 2 more modern cousin, WARNO, where it is known as IFV Infantry. Tank Riders works in pretty much the same way. As a so-called “mirror trait”, to be active, it requires both an infantry unit and vehicle to feature the trait AND stay close to each other. When this condition is met, both units will receive an extra “shield” boost against suppression.
In Steel Division 2, the trait will differentiate those units trained to fight in close cooperation with armor. This includes:
[h2]New Traits[/h2]
The following traits have been newly created for Steel Division 2.
COMMANDO
The Commando trait will combine the Shock and Raider traits, but as the cherry on the cake, it will also include a “shield” bonus against suppression. This is much like the new Tank Riders trait, but without needing a vehicle. The Commando trait will only be gifted to a nation’s elite special forces. This ensures they are different enough from more regular paratroopers or light infantry.
A list of those units getting the Commando trait:
ARTILLERY LEADER
This trait will apply to all existing artillery leader units. It will give artillery pieces the Radio trait when close by, even to those artillery pieces lack one. Artillery Leader will also gain more accuracy within their radio net, reducing suppression.
[h2]Steel Division 2: Men of Steel Versus[/h2]
If you want to do some background reading on Steel Division 2: Men of Steel, be sure to check out our historical highlights, our so-called Versus DevBlogs.
Versus
Aces
And if you want to read more about the two new Aces - Allied Sergeant Tommy Prince and Hungarian tank commander Barnabás Kőszeghy - you’ll encounter in Steel Division 2: Men of Steel, look no further and check out this dedicated DevBlog here.
[h2]See you on the battlefield[/h2]
That’s it. We’ll be back with a Steel Division 2 new DevBlog soon!
Be sure to join the Steel Division 2 community on our Steam forums. The latest Steel Division 2 news can also be encountered on our Instagram.
Looking for an online game? Visit the Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!
See you on the battlefield.
Ready for another peek at the next expansion, Steel Division 2: Men of Steel? Today is not a showcase of new models, but an expanded system directly affecting a host of units in-game: new and updated Traits.
Let’s dig in.
[h2]Traits[/h2]
We have come full circle. One feature of Steel Division 2 was how certain units would have specific Traits that would set them apart and provide bonuses (or drawbacks) on the battlefield. Little details like this dig not only into realistic (and historical) reasons but also influence the way you deploy and order your units around.
Over time, we expanded this list, but you might recognize the Disheartened trait, Radio, or the Tank Buster one. Some traits would just explain the innate abilities of a unit, while others would provide a specific function or characteristic, such as the experience boost of Leader unit or the Disciple trait (to keep those cowardly Disheartened units in line).
With the new Cold War cousin of Steel Division 2, WARNO, we took the Trait system a step further, to differentiate each unit and their role on the battlefield even more. Some of these Traits will find their way back into Steel Division 2: Men of Steel, together with several new ones.
Please note that the following list is not complete and final. We might change certain traits, add or remove unit types, or tweak their mechanics as we see fit.
[h2]Traits adapted[/h2]
We begin with traits that have already been introduced WARNO. These have all been adapted to World War II’s battle conditions in Steel Division 2.
SHOCK
This trait will be given to units dedicated and drilled for close combat. They are soldiers excelling in using SMGs, pistols, grenades, explosives, knives, and even entrenching tools if they have to. Units with the Shock trait will inflict more physical damage at very close range, meaning inside city blocks or in forests.
The following units will receive the Shock trait:
- Almost all the current SMG squads, such as the Soviet Avtomatchiki, Tankodesantniki, U.S. Assault Groups, various German Stosstruppen, etc.
- Assault engineers, such as German Sturmpioniers, Commonwealth Assault Pioneers, Soviet Shturmoviki.
- Other units, although not equipped with SMGs or flame-throwing weapons, but still marked for an assault role. This includes Romanian Asalt squads. Formations famous for their hand-to-hand combat skills will also gain this trait, such as the Allied Gurkhas, Maoris, and Goumiers.
SECURITY
This particular trait will grant the Good recon optics to regular infantry units, but only when they are stationary. The Security trait is given to typical rear-area security forces whose mission was usually focused on patrolling in quieter sectors. As Steel Division 2 takes place during the summer and early autumn of 1944, this trait will mostly find its way to Axis security units forced to fight on the actual front line more often than not.
Units with the Securit trait:
- German Sicherungs, Schupo, Schuma units.
- Italian fascist RSI GNR units.
- More to come.
TANK RIDERS
This trait can also be found in Steel Division 2 more modern cousin, WARNO, where it is known as IFV Infantry. Tank Riders works in pretty much the same way. As a so-called “mirror trait”, to be active, it requires both an infantry unit and vehicle to feature the trait AND stay close to each other. When this condition is met, both units will receive an extra “shield” boost against suppression.
In Steel Division 2, the trait will differentiate those units trained to fight in close cooperation with armor. This includes:
- Soviet (and assimilated nations) Tankodesantniki, the most famous of mounted tank riders.
- German Begleit units.
- A new Western Allied unit, created specifically to use this trait. This is the Canadian Kangaroo Rifles unit from the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. This large infantry unit will be the only one available to be transported by the Kangaroo armored personnel carrier. Both the unit and the transport will feature the Tank Rider trait.
[h2]New Traits[/h2]
The following traits have been newly created for Steel Division 2.
COMMANDO
The Commando trait will combine the Shock and Raider traits, but as the cherry on the cake, it will also include a “shield” bonus against suppression. This is much like the new Tank Riders trait, but without needing a vehicle. The Commando trait will only be gifted to a nation’s elite special forces. This ensures they are different enough from more regular paratroopers or light infantry.
A list of those units getting the Commando trait:
- Of course, the various British Commando units will be the most obvious recipient.
- German Brandenburger and MEK special forces.
- American Rangers and O.S.S. troops.
- Canadian-American Forcemen units (from the upcoming Devil’s Brigade of the 1st Airborne Task Force).
- The Soviet OSNAZ unit.
- Polish Cichociemni.
- Fascist Italian RSI Decima Mas, part of the upcoming 715. Infanterie-Division.
- The Finish Sissi unit.
ARTILLERY LEADER
This trait will apply to all existing artillery leader units. It will give artillery pieces the Radio trait when close by, even to those artillery pieces lack one. Artillery Leader will also gain more accuracy within their radio net, reducing suppression.
[h2]Steel Division 2: Men of Steel Versus[/h2]
If you want to do some background reading on Steel Division 2: Men of Steel, be sure to check out our historical highlights, our so-called Versus DevBlogs.
Versus
- The Wehrmacht reservist of the 715. Infanterie-Division and the paratroopers of the Allied 1st Airborne Taskforce receive their highlight in our Versus #1 DevBlog.
- The Allied commandos of the 1st Special Force Brigade against the Market Garden-active Axis Kampfgruppe von Tettau in Versus #2 DevBlog.
- The Finish-Swedish Axis 17. Divisioona and the partisan-infused and mixed Allied Groupement Dody in the Versus #3 DevBlog.
- The Axis-Hungarian armored 1. Páncélos Hadosztály and the Soviet-allied Bulgarian Bronirana Brigada get their spotlight in Versus #4 DevBlog.
Aces
And if you want to read more about the two new Aces - Allied Sergeant Tommy Prince and Hungarian tank commander Barnabás Kőszeghy - you’ll encounter in Steel Division 2: Men of Steel, look no further and check out this dedicated DevBlog here.
[h2]See you on the battlefield[/h2]
That’s it. We’ll be back with a Steel Division 2 new DevBlog soon!
Be sure to join the Steel Division 2 community on our Steam forums. The latest Steel Division 2 news can also be encountered on our Instagram.
Looking for an online game? Visit the Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!
See you on the battlefield.