Steel Division 2 News

Hello!

Another week, another Nemesis DLC option! We will be presenting two real archrivals with the newest choice, Nemesis: Battle of Păuliș.

Returning to the Eastern Front, let’s welcome to the stage two former Axis allies: Hungary versus the recently turned Romania. These frenemies have some serious scores to settle!

Before we go on, a little reminder:

Our second Nemesis DLC, Nemesis: Lvov Offensive, launches today for €4.99 / $4.99! This Nemesis DLC contains the German 20. Panzergrenadier-Division and the Allied 10th Guards Tank Corps, bringing new units such as the heavy tank destroyer Elefant, the unique Bef. Tiger (P) and Bef. Panzer V/IV tanks, Muniwagen Panzer III, Flakpanzer T-34(r) and Flakpanzer Panther, and captured T-5 Pantera.

[h2]The History of Nemesis: Battle of Păuliș[/h2]

If you have played our Steel Division 2 - Black Sunday History expansion, you might know the historical context behind this Nemesis DLC.

After the disastrous summer of 1944, which saw a full Soviet invasion breach the frontier en masse, the Romanians switched sides under King Michael’s direction. These were chaotic times indeed, with Romania finding itself at war with both the Allies and the Axis for a brief period.

Official recognition by the Allies of Romania’s about-face only occurred in mid-September. By this time, German troops were in full retreat, the Red Army continued its advance across the country, and Hungary and Romania were at each other’s throats… again. Romania had lost most of Transylvania to their neighbor and bitter enemy in 1940. Being puppet regimes under the iron fist of Hitler’s Germany, both countries were forced to coexist during the early war years, but these old grievances remained just under the surface.



As soon as Romania broke from the Axis, Hungary saw an opportunity to control the rest of Transylvania … and invaded. In the middle of September, a Hungarian armored spearhead made up of 1. Páncélos Hadosztály (1st Armored Division) advanced toward the village of Păuliș in western Romania.

Having finally recognized Romania as an ally, the Soviet (Stavka) realized that securing the Transylvanian passes before any Axis troops was of the utmost priority. Caught in the middle was the Romanian Army, scattered, deeply in chaos, and unable to reposition themselves in time. That meant that the local defenders of Păulis had to take care of themselves.

A provisional Romanian battlegroup - Detașamentul Păuliș - featuring recruits and cadets from a nearby NCO school, reinforced with a heavy artillery battalion, made their improvised stand.

Against all odds, the determined cadets fought off numerous Hungarian infantry and tank assaults over the next couple of days. The fighting was vicious with counter-attacks, heavy bombardments, house-to-house combat. After three days, relief came in the form of a Soviet motorized infantry column. By September 19th, Detașamentul Păuliș finally pushed the Hungarian force back to their original positions and subsequently forced them to retreat from the area.

[h2]What will Nemesis: Battle of Păuliș feature?[/h2]

Nemesis: Battle of Păuliș will feature two unusual battlegroups from two minor nations, one of which was featured on the Axis side previously.

Not only that, but the Nemesis DLC will also include two new Aces: taking to the skies for the Allies, the Romanian pilot Dan Vizanti with over 100 combat missions and 16 victories, will deploy with his IAR-81C fighter. For the Axis, the Hungarian tank commander Lt. Kőszeghy Barnabás with his StuG III G, from the attached 7th Assault Gun Battalion, will be featured.

[h3]1. Páncélos[/h3]

1. Páncélos Hadosztály was the 1st Armored Division of the Royal Hungarian Army. By 1943, this division was a shadow of its former self, shattered by the Eastern Front’s heavy fighting. Given a low priority for reinforcements and replacement tanks, the formation was mostly used as a training unit.

In September 1944, the 1. Páncélos was activated to combat status, and its tank strength had been brought up to around 250 vehicles - all of them of indigenous Hungarian origin.

• As an armored battlegroup, the 1. Páncélos relies for a bulk of its firepower on the Turan medium tank, both the 40mm and 75mm variants. Several Csaba armored cars, as well as a number of StuG III Gs from the independent 7th Assault Gun Battalion can be deployed.
  
• The light tank forces will be made up of Toldi tanks, including a new variant we’ll be introducing with this division: the Toldi III.
  
• Additionally, a sizable amount of versatile Nimrod self-propelled guns will be deployable. The formation’s AA forces are substantial, with the Nimrods backed up by towed Bofors 40mm guns. This greatly offsets the lack of planes, as the Hungarian Air Force was almost entirely absent from the battle.
  
• New infantry units will also be available in the 1. Páncélos, including Csendör (gendarmes), Mot. Árkászok (motorized pioneers) and Mot. Lövész (motorized riflemen). The latter will also include a Leader unit and a squad equipped with the Hungarian bazooka-like 44.M Kézi Rakétavető.
  
• Artillery and support units are very standard, with the anti-tank category being filled up with Panzerschreck squads, 40mm and 75mm towed anti-tank guns.
  
• While 1. Páncélos does not feature the most modern equipment, it’s tank forces are very strong, backed-up by exceptional anti-air units and decent infantry.
  

[h3]Detașamentul Păuliș[/h3]

Although classified as Romanian, the Detașamentul Păuliș is actually closer to a mixed Soviet-Romanian division. Due to the historical background, the formation will be a locked battlegroup. This means certain units will only be made available in select Combat Phases. Basically, the Romanian units in Detașamentul Păuliș will be deployable from the beginning, while Soviet units will deploy later.

• Detașamentul Păuliș will revolve mostly around its Elevi squads (NCO cadets), which form the core of its infantry. They will feature the Fanatical trait to represent their dogged resistance and spirited counter-attacks during the actual battle.
  
• Another new unit will be Artilersti, artillery crews pressed into a combat role. As they are provisional infantry, they carry the Disheartened trait.
  
• The battlegroup fields an entire heavy artillery battalion, which grants the Ob. M1913 105mm (Schneider 105mm) and Ob. M1934 150mm (Skoda 149mm).
  
• From Phase B onwards, the Red Army will enter the battlefield in the form of a motorized column. These include machine gun squads, mortars, anti-tank guns, etc. A tank brigade equipped with T-34/85 will also be available.
  
• This battlegroup’s recon forces will be average, with only a limited number of infantry scouts and motorized units (the latter courtesy of the Soviets).
  
• Detașamentul Păuliș shines with its infantry, with a large amount of choice, and a decent mix of the best Romania and the Red Army has to offer.
  
• There are few anti-tank guns and Soviet anti-air units, though the Romanian Air Force has deployed in numbers, providing heavy cover from the skies above.
  

[h2]Nemesis DLC explained[/h2]

Nemesis: Battle of Păuliș is the second option of run 4 of our Nemesis DLC concept. How does this whole thing work again?

• Nemesis: Storming Toulon is the first choice of run 4.
  
• Nemesis: Battle of Sandomierz Bridgehead is the first Nemesis DLC and available for free now! It features the 16. Panzerdivision and the 97th Guards Rifle Division from the Eastern Front, bringing a number of new units, including the most powerful German tank of World War II, the Königstiger (H).
  
• Nemesis: Battle of Rimini is our third Nemesis DLC. Once again voted on by the community, this Nemesis DLC takes its cue from the Italian front, bringing the 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division for the Axis, and the combined Allied battlegroup of the 2nd New Zealand Division with the 3rd Greek Mountain Brigade attached.
  

In case you’ve forgotten:

• Each Nemesis DLC will bring two new divisions (one from each side) and will feature new units, new weapons, new models, and maybe even new nations. They will be PAID.
  
• Each Nemesis DLC focuses on a new historical Theater of Operations (think engagement or battle) that was relevant and set in the summer of 1944. This could be the Eastern Front, could be the Western Front, could even be other interesting… locales.
  

[h2]Coming up next![/h2]

Let us know what you think. We love to hear from our community. Reach out to us via our Steam forums and Eugen forums, or keep an eye out on our social channels (Facebook and Twitter). Looking for an online game? Check out the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page.

See you on the battlefield, commander!

Good news, everyone! We are back with a brand-new Nemesis DLC run! To kick things off, we will be presenting you the very first option: Nemesis: Storming Toulon.

This choice takes you back to the sunny lands of Southern France, much like Nemesis: Battle of Montélimar, but with two completely new battlegroups (and associated new toys and units).

Today’s spotlight is on the Axis battlegroup Verteidigungsbereich Toulon (Defensive Perimeter Toulon) and the renowned Allied 1e Division Française Libre (1st Free French Division).

If Nemesis: Storming Toulon is chosen, we will also introduce new defensive structures with this expansion.

Keep on reading to find out more!

[h2]The History of Nemesis: Storming Toulon[/h2]

The inspiration for this Nemesis DLC again comes from Southern France. This time, the action is squarely on the opening stages of Operation Dragoon, the Allied invasion on the Mediterranean French coast in the summer of 1944.

The first wave of this amphibious assault was made up largely of American troops, tasked with racing north toward the Rhône Valley (see Nemesis: Battle of Montélimar). Subsequent waves featured veteran French divisions with the orders to secure the major port cities of nearby Marseille and Toulon. Once housing the French Mediterranean fleet, the capture of the Toulon naval base was of critical importance to keep the supplies flowing for the Allied invasion.

Advancing on Toulon, one of the participating divisions was the 1e Division Motorisée d’Infanterie (1e DMI). This formation was more famous under its original name (and kept in usage both then and now) of 1e Division Française Libre (the 1st Free French Division).
Fun fact: although almost entirely reequipped with American equipment, French high command ordered its soldiers to use the French 1940 Adrian helmet when possible to make the Germans plenty aware of who they were fighting!



Both Marseille and Toulon were originally envisioned to be captured after two months of heavy combat. However, during the landing, the French saw an opportunity and struck fast. Advancing rapidly, Toulon was encircled by August 20th. Defending the city was the ad hoc Verteidigungsbereich Toulon, formed around the 242. Infanterie-Division with various other local units, including a Kriegsmarine garrison and naval batteries.



Battling through a succession of forts, bunkers, and heavy gun emplacements, Toulon’s harbor was stormed on August 27th and captured after ferocious close combat. In the meantime, nearby Marseille had been liberated in much the same way.

Toulon’s port was repaired and in operation two weeks later, serving as a crucial logistical hub for the Allied forces advancing north.

[h2]What will Nemesis: Storming Toulon feature?[/h2]

As with our previous Nemesis DLC options, Nemesis: Storming Toulon presents you with two new divisions, one on each side, and offers a variety of different units or new variants of existing units. As always, we have researched each battlegroup exhaustively, making sure that the Nemesis DLC is as historically accurate as possible.

[h3]Verteidigungsbereich Toulon[/h3]

Verteidigungsbereich Toulon - meaning Defensive Perimeter Toulon - is an impromptu formation made up of a variety of different units. The core of its soldiers is provided by the 242. Infanterie-Division, originally a reserve division “upgraded” to regular status in 1943, but also Kriegsmarine garrison units and even Italian naval infantry. They used a large quantity of captured heavy weapons from different origins, including French, Italian, Czech, and even Yugoslavian.

There is more: this battlegroup will also feature a new type of defensive structure. The so-called Tobruk bunker, which is essentially the tank turret of a S35 Somua (47mm), R35 (37mm) or Panzer II (20mm) mated to a concrete casemate. While not very powerful, these bunkers were incredibly resilient!

• Verteidigungsbereich Toulon can count on Grenadier soldiers, deploying with captured Italian Breda 30 LMG. Plenty of sniper units can also be found in the battlegroup.
  
• Kriegsmarine Seesoldaten make their comeback from Steel Division: Normandy 44 in a tougher form. These naval infantry include leader and MG units, as well as their own Landeschützen (Kriegsmarine guards) and Küstenpolizei (naval military police).
  
• Also available is the Marine-Einsatzkommando 71 (aka MEK). Only the size of a platoon, these soldiers were German naval commando pioneers and will act as elite recon in-game.
  
• The battlegroup can also count on a Kadetten battalion, which fought ferociously in the final stages of the battle. As such, it carries the Fanatical trait.
  
• Brandenburger special forces were also present. They will feature their Raider trait.
  
• The Italians also join the fight. At least one company from the famous San Marco naval infantry (known as Marò) was also stationed in Toulon.
  
• There is a distinct lack of armor, with only a limited number of tanks deployable. These include a few StuGs and French Beute tanks (R-35, H-39).
  
• Anti-tank units are Marder I and Soviet FK 39(r) 76,2mm guns, with further support coming from Italian Breda 47mm guns and PaK 40, as well as RSO PaK.
• Verteidigungsbereich Toulon can count on a fair amount of artillery, reflecting the historical presence of naval batteries, bunkers and Flak units. This includes a variety of calibers: Skoda 75mm, Italian 149mm and Soviet 152mm howitzers, and heavy Flak 38 105mm.
  
• Off-map artillery is also available, with the extra firepower coming from naval batteries in fortifications, such as 138mm, 164mm or 340mm guns.
  
• The Luftwaffe was almost entirely absent during the battle, meaning that the battlegroup will not have much in the way of a supporting air force.
  

[h3]1e Division Française Libre[/h3]

The “real deal” of the Free French fighting force: the 1e Division Française Libre (DFL) or the 1st Free French Division. This illustrious veteran formation came with a hefty dose of combat experience, taking part in battles ranging from Narvik to East Africa, Operation Exporter (Syria-Lebanon, 1941), North Africa (Egypt, Libya, Tunisia) before heading towards the Italian front.

Now, they were back - at last liberating their home country.

The DFL embodies Free France in its truest form, regrouping almost all the nationalities of the French colonial empire (and beyond) and armed forces which answered general de Gaulle’s call to keep on fighting. Known for the inclusion of foreigners in its ranks, the formation contains not only escapees from metropolitan France but also exiled Republican Spaniards, die-hard anti-fascist Italians, Austrians and Germans, and many more.

• At its core, 1e Division Française Libre calls upon the Légionnaires from the famous 13e DBLE, a Légion regiment formed for the Narvik campaign and which went almost entirely to Free France. In-game, Légionnaires will carry the Fanatical trait, equipped with Thompson SMGs, P17 Enfield rifles and two BARs.
  
• Polynesians (Tahiti and New Caledonia) and sailors from the BIMP, an infantry formation merging two separate battalions together: Bataillon d’Infanterie de Marine (BIM) and Bataillon d’Infanterie du Pacifique (BIP).
  
• North Africans from the 22e BMNA. Grouping Moroccan, Algerian, and Tunisian volunteers together, these soldiers originated from Vichy regiments stationed in Lebanon, who opted to join the Free French after Operation Exporter.
• Central Africans (mostly Senegal and Cameroon) from several “bataillons de marche” (provisional battalions). These made up “fresh” replacements, having joined the DFL to replace heavy losses after the North African campaign.
  
• Commandos d’Afrique and Parachutistes de Choc form the special forces section of this battlegroup. These soldiers will feature the Raider trait and are equipped with a mix of British and American equipment, including a large number of SMGs.
  
• Sailors from the 1e RFM acting as mechanized scouts, with Stuart light tanks and Greyhound armored cars.
  
• Additional firepower is provided by a combat command from the armored 1e Division Blindée with Stuarts and Shermans. Furthermore, the M10 is also available.
  
• Artillery support is made up of American 105mm and 155mm (Long Tom) howitzers, with AA cover offered by towed Bofors AA guns.
  
• Air support will be provided by the Free French Air Force flying from Corsica, as well as British carrier-borne squadrons. The French can deploy B-26 Marauders, P-39 Airacobra, P-40 Kittyhawk, P-47D Thunderbolt and Spitfire. British carrier planes will be a mix of Hellcat, Wildcat and Supermarine Seafire fighters.
  

[h2]Nemesis DLC explained[/h2]

Nemesis: Storming Toulon inaugurates the run 4 of our Nemesis DLC concept. What happened to numbers 1-3? Check it out below!

• Nemesis: Battle of Sandomierz Bridgehead is the first Nemesis DLC and available for free now! It features the 16. Panzerdivision and the 97th Guards Rifle Division from the Eastern Front, bringing a number of new units, including the most powerful German tank of World War II, the Königstiger (H).
  
• The second Nemesis DLC is Nemesis: Lvov Offensive and was the first one to be voted on you, the community. This Nemesis DLC will launch on November 19th for €4.99 / $4.99 and will contain the German 20. Panzergrenadier-Division and the Allied 10th Guards Tank Corps. New units include the heavy tank destroyer Elefant, the unique Bef. Tiger (P) and Bef. Panzer V/IV tanks, Muniwagen Panzer III, Flakpanzer T-34(r) and Flakpanzer Panther, and captured T-5 Pantera.
• Nemesis: Battle of Rimini is our third Nemesis DLC. Once again voted on by the community, this Nemesis DLC takes its cue from the Italian front, bringing the 1. Fallschirmjäger-Division for the Axis, and the combined Allied battlegroup of the 2nd New Zealand Division with the 3rd Greek Mountain Brigade attached. We have just started working on this expansion!
  

In case you’ve forgotten:

• Each Nemesis DLC will bring two new divisions (one from each side) and will feature new units, new weapons, new models, and maybe even new nations. They will be PAID.
  
• Each Nemesis DLC focuses on a new historical Theater of Operations (think engagement or battle) that was relevant and set in the summer of 1944. This could be the Eastern Front, could be the Western Front, could even be other interesting… locales.
  

[h2]Coming up next![/h2]

We are always more than happy to hear what you think. Reach out to us via our Steam forums and Eugen forums, or keep an eye out on our social channels (Facebook and Twitter). Looking for an online game? Check out the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page.

See you on the battlefield, commander!

Hello!

Good news everyone: we are getting very close to releasing Nemesis: Lvov Offensive! As such, we wanted to give you more behind-the-scenes details. You might be wondering when you can expect the second Nemesis DLC to launch for Steel Division 2.

We can confirm that Nemesis: Lvov Offensive will be made available on November 19th. You’ll be able to get it for €4.99 / $4.99. Sweet!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1418230/Steel_Division_2__Nemesis_2__Lvov_Offensive/

[h2]Nemesis: Lvov Offensive Aces[/h2]

In case you’ve forgotten, Nemesis: Lvov Offensive will bring the 20. Panzergrenadier-Division and 10th Guards Tank Corps, featuring some exciting new units including the unique Bef. Tiger (P) and the mighty Elefant heavy tank destroyer for the Axis, while the Allies receive the T-34/85 Razvedka and captured T-5 Pantera.

Each battlegroup will also feature a new heroic Ace unit. As you know, these special units carry no additional gameplay stats or buffs compared to their vanilla counterparts. They are cosmetic upgrades featuring unique camouflage skins and gold-rimmed portraits.

[h3]Helmut Bruck[/h3]

First up is Helmut Bruck, a distinguished Luftwaffe pilot who flew over 900 separate combat missions. With the rank of Oberst (colonel), Bruck was the Kommodore (commander) of Schlachtgeschwader 77, a Stuka squadron, during the Lvov offensive.



Bruck was with the very same formation from the beginning of the war, flying the Ju-87 in a ground-support role in Poland and France, before being deployed in the Balkans and Crete. After Operation Barbarossa, Bruck spent the remaining war years on the Eastern Front. Rising within the ranks, our decorated Ace of the the 20. Panzergrenadier-Division survived the war with a grand total of 973 operational missions.
With Nemesis: Lvov Offensive you’ll find Helmut Bruck flying the Stuka Ju-87 D-5.



[h3]Alexander Pokryshkin[/h3]

The Allied Ace is Alexander Ivanovich Pokryshkin, thrice Hero of the Soviet Union and scourge of the Germans. Pokryshkin was the second-highest scoring Soviet ace and one of the most feared Allied fighter pilots.



Growing up poor, the tenacious Pokryshkin relentlessly pursued his dream of flying in the years leading up to the war. At the start of the Axis invasion of the Soviet Union, he was thrown into the action almost immediately, racking up kill after kill. Pokryshkin spent considerable time developing combat tactics and improving Soviet doctrine, as well as training new pilots. So great was his status that the mere fact of Pokryshkin's presence was effectively used by Soviet propaganda in a concerted effort to demoralize opposing Axis fliers.

With Nemesis: Lvov Offensive you’ll find Alexander Pokryshkin flying the P-39N-0 Kobra.



[h2]New changes to Nemesis: Lvov Offensive[/h2]

While we already talked about the new units coming to Nemesis: Lvov Offensive (see the list further below), we have found some time to add some updates to the upcoming Nemesis DLC:

[h3]New Soviet tank commander unit[/h3]

With the 10th Guards Corps, we are introducing the new T-34/85 KomBat commander variant. Until now, no Soviet commander unit was available in a tank configuration. This is because, unlike the Axis or the Western allies, we didn’t encounter a dedicated command tank variant while researching the Red Army.

However, thanks to a devoted member of our Strike Team, we learned that provisions were made for the T-34/85 obr. 44 to be fitted with additional radio sets - which in turn could transform it into a command variant.

We decided to add this unit to the game, retrofitting it not only to the 10th Guards Tank Corps’ roster but also to the 2nd Guards Tank Corps and the 29th Tank Corps.

[h3]Updated German tank commander unit[/h3]

The unique Bef.Tiger (P) was historically the dedicated command tank for the s.Panzerjäger-Abteilung 653, and as such, will not hold any other role within the 20. Panzergrenadier-Division battlegroup.

However, we also included a second command tank in the Support tab: the Bef. Panzer V/IV was a scratch-built variant - a Frankenstein tank using components of various other models. We have repurposed this unit and moved it to become a tank leader in the Tank tab, introducing a bit more variety in a category otherwise dominated by its StuG IV units.

[h3]Updated German prime movers[/h3]

The Muniwagen T-34(r) and Muniwagen Panzer III, which were used as armed prime movers, have been updated to a role more fitting to their name. They are now unarmed supply vehicles, replacing the Maultier Mun. unit in this battlegroup.

Want to know even more about Nemesis: Lvov Offensive? Check out:

• The first reveal of Nemesis: Lvov Offensive detailing the context, history, and general overview of the two battlegroups in this blog post here.
• Even more details, including highlights of new units, in this second super detailed post here.

[h2]Coming up next[/h2]

Our first Nemesis DLC is FREE and available now. Nemesis: Battle of Sandomierz Bridgehead features the 16. Panzerdivision versus the 97th Guards Rifle Division. Check it out!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1405650/Steel_Division_2__Nemesis_1__Sandomierz/

We are always interested in hearing what you think. Drop us a line on our Steam forums and Eugen forums, or check our social channels (Facebook and Twitter). Looking for an online game? Visit the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page.

See you on the battlefield!

Hey there!

With plenty of nice things cooking in Eugen’s kitchen, we decided that today’s post would be a good time to highlight some gameplay changes coming to Steel Division 2.

Informed by you, the community, we wanted to put a handle on the latest Steel Division 2 meta and address some of your recent concerns and suggestions.

Mind you, the following points have been talked about previously in the Community Q&A with Creative Director Alexis Le Dressay and Lead Game Designer Matthieu Brevet and hosted by the ever-awesome VulcanHDGaming.

[h2]The community speaks, we listen[/h2]

So, what’s in store for Steel Division 2? Let’s take a look at three key gameplay areas we want to update, including tank combat, reconnaissance mechanics, and massed infantry.

[h3]Tank combat[/h3]

We have read some players mentioning strange armored combat encounters with rather unexpected or unrealistic results, such as a T-70 trumping a Panther at extreme range. That’s why we are reworking some of the underlying gun penetration and range game mechanics.

First off, we will update the penetration mechanics to be closer to reality. In the current iteration, a tank has a slight chance of penetrating an opponent’s armor above the displayed penetration value. This was intended to represent the remote possibility of hitting a weak point in the enemy’s armor (a hatch, weld-line, etc.).

This new update to the penetration mechanics goes hand in hand with an overhaul of the Effective Shot stance, which becomes a RO&E you will be able to switch on or off individually per unit.



Second, the generic 2000m ranges will give way to more realistic and varied maximum ranges. Only our heavier tank and anti-tank guns (say 85mm and above) keep the ability to fire and hit at extreme range. Other guns will fire at shorter ranges, which depends on their caliber and type. With the above update, medium tanks need to close in on heavy tanks in order to engage them successfully.

You might think this sounds like a lopsided nerf but take into account that as the medium tank needs to get closer to its target, it will pack much more punch when it does fire (much more than attacking a target at extreme ranges).

[h3]Reconnaissance rework[/h3]

A recurring comment is that reconnaissance in Steel Division 2 feels lackluster. We want to change this.

We’ve been running some tests with the awesome members of the Strike Team and we have come up with a potential solution to make recon units more viable. Essentially, the larger a unit, the more visible it will be on the battlefield. Not only that: the more armor, the less vision it will have.



A fully enclosed armored vehicle won’t always be able to see at max range when left to its own devices. That’s when more nimble recon units come in to play, to act as spotters to your heavies, allowing them to fire at the enemy further away.

A small anti-tank gun hiding in a forest will see a tank coming from much further away. The same for lighter vehicles, such as recon armored cars, which in the updated reconnaissance system will find more use as flanking sneak attacks.

[h3]Mass infantry[/h3]

According to the community, the current meta is focused too heavily on massed infantry. With the Strike Team, we’ve been testing some buffs to machine guns (both as infantry weapons, including LMGs and HMGs, as well as vehicle-mounted guns).



When under fire from these weapons, attacking crowds of soldiers will be forced to duck their heads and seek cover more quickly. This should give machine guns and older light or medium tanks a second life on the battlefield, giving them a chance to be more effective at combatting a massed infantry assault.

[h2]Coming up next[/h2]

Our first Nemesis DLC is FREE and available now. Nemesis: Battle of Sandomierz Bridgehead features the 16. Panzerdivision versus the 97th Guards Rifle Division. Check it out!

Nemesis: Battle of Sandomierz Bridgehead

Besides - as you know - we are working hard to ship our next Nemesis DLC to you. You can read all about the latest details of Nemesis: Lvov Offensive in this in-depth post here.



We are also still testing the new urban map. We hope to share some news with you soon!

We are always interested in hearing what you think. Drop us a line on our Steam forums and Eugen forums, or check our social channels (Facebook and Twitter). Looking for an online game? Visit the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page.

See you on the battlefield!

Hello commander,

In today’s post, we’ll be taking a good long look at how Nemesis: Lvov Offensive is coming along. This Nemesis DLC was the first one you voted on, and will deliver the 20. Panzergrenadier-Division and 10th Guards Tank Corps with some exciting new toys.

With the release of Nemesis: Lvov Offensive on the horizon (yes, not long now!), we wanted to take the opportunity to highlight the two battlegroups included in this Nemesis DLC, their gameplay strengths and weaknesses, as well as detailing the new units.

The divisions being still under work or test, some changes may be brought before the final version is released.

[h2]Nemesis: Lvov Offensive Revisited[/h2]

As you might remember, Nemesis: Lvov Offensive takes its cue from the Lvov-Sandomierz strategic operation, a campaign that ran south of Operation Bagration in July 1944. While less known, this offensive was equally successful for the Red Army. The Soviets launched two massive armored thrusts near Brody in western Ukraine, shattering Axis defensive lines and destroying numerous formations.

Facing the Soviet southern pincer was the 20. Panzergrenadier-Division supported by elements from the heavy tank destroyer battalion Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 653. The two units only managed to save themselves from almost complete destruction by the skin of their teeth.

On the opposing side, the 10th Guards Tank Corps was found in the northern pincer, subordinate to the Soviet 4th Tank Army. Serving as the spearhead was the unusual 51st Independent Motorcycle Regiment, which featured a host of captured German equipment.

Let’s look at each battlegroup - and the new units - in detail.

[h3]20. Panzergrenadier-Division[/h3]

One of the Wehrmacht’s “fire brigades”, the veteran 20. Panzergrenadier was accustomed to being rushed into battle when most needed. Though depleted because of the constant fighting it found itself in, the battlegroup boasts a full-strength complement of recently arrived StuG IVs and Jagdpanzer IVs. The attached Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 653 fields the most impressive - and unusual - units of this battlegroup.

What can you expect of the 20. Panzergrenadier?

• A major drawback of the battlegroup is its Recon tab, with few available slots, old units, and a limited amount of choice.
  
• The Infantry tab is below average in the number of slots but offsets this by offering good choices, including Stosstruppen and PzGrenadier equipped with Soviet DP-28.
  
• The Tank category is rather average with only five slots, with not much choice - at least all the available units will be StuG IV.
  
• Things get interesting with the Support tab, which features the unique Bef. Tiger (P) unit, as well as the Bef.Panzer V/IV as commander units. The Tiger (P) is special as it's the only one of its kind, being Porsche's ultimately unsuccessful design on the famous Tiger tank, noticeable for its forward-placed turret. The new Muniwagen are also featured in this category.
  

• The Anti-Tank tab is properly stocked with options and choices. This includes the new Elefant heavy tank destroyer, the “other” use of already constructed hulls of the previously mentioned Porsche’s Tiger prototype as well as Jagdpanzer IV.
  
• Anti-Air is another well-represented tab with more open slots than usual, including the unique Flakpanzer T-34(r) and Flakpanzer Panther.
  
• The fire support provided by the Artillery category is rather standard in its scope and unit availability.
  
• A standard Air tab can be found with this battlegroup, with the highlight being the Ace unit of Helmut Bruck flying a Ju-87D-5.
  

The 20. Panzergrenadier is powerful on the defense thanks to its strong anti-tank and anti-air forces, but lacks the recon and armored strength to serve as a true offensive battlegroup.

[h3]10th Guards Tank Corps[/h3]

An experienced division forged by the battles of Kursk and Bryansk, the 10-y Gv. Tank. Korpus (10th Guards Tank Corps) formed one of the spearheads at the start of the Lvov-Sandomierz Operation. The attached 51st Independent Motorcycle Regiment, with its captured German hardware, acted as the vanguard. As such, the battlegroup’s roster features half a dozen Tiger E (T-6 Tigr) and Panther A (T-5 Pantera) tanks.

What can you expect of the 10th Guards Tank Corps?

• The battlegroup boasts an excellent Recon tab with lots of slots, relatively cheap units, and a solid amount of choices (Valentine tanks, SU-57, various infantry squads, and of course, the new T-34/85 Razvedka).
  
• The Infantry tab is standard with the usual complement of Soviet infantry rifle squads.
  
  
  
  
• The Tank tab is very good, with a large number of well-priced slots, including such units as the T-34/76 and T-34/85, plus one card each of the captured T-6 Tigr (Tiger E) and T-5 Pantera (Panther A).
  
• The Support tab is, much like the Infantry category, pretty standard, but features several cards of SU-122.
  
• The battlegroup lacks Anti-Tank units, with only a few choices, feeling the lack of the normally common 57mm ZiS-2 in particular.
  
• The Anti-Air is one of the weakest categories with only limited options (37mm tracked guns and Gaz Maxim 4M).
  
• A regular Artillery tab with a selection of mortars, 76,2mm guns, and multiple rocket launchers.
  
• The Air tab is good enough to wrestle the control of the skies above and includes several planes equipped as tank busters.
  

The 10th Guards Tank Corps excels as an offensive battlegroup thanks to the recon troops and numerous tanks under its command. It can lose its footing when pressed hard in a defensive situation due to the formation’s lack of dedicated anti-air and anti-tank units.

[h2]Nemesis: Lvov Offensive’s new units and models[/h2]

To recap, the following new units and models can be found in Nemesis: Lvov Offensive:

• Heavy tank destroyer Elefant.
  
• Bef.Tiger (P) as a Commander unit.
  
• Bef.Panzer V/IV as a Commander unit.
  
• Flakpanzer T-34(r).
  
• Flakpanzer Panther.
  
• Muniwagen Panzer III.
  
• T-34/85 Razvedka.
  
• T-5 Pantera.
  

Next to the new models, the Nemesis: Lvov Offensive will also update some existing units. Specifically, we’ve updated the incorrect Panzer IV C model and Romanian Schneider 105mm M1936 howitzer.

[h2]And the other Nemesis DLC?[/h2]

Did you know that the first Nemesis DLC is FREE and available now. This is Nemesis: Battle of Sandomierz Bridgehead and contains the 16. Panzerdivision versus the 97th Guards Rifle Division.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1405650/Steel_Division_2__Nemesis_1__Sandomierz/

Our third Nemesis DLC - Nemesis: Battle of Rimini is being tinkered with in the Eugen workshop as we speak. In the not-too-distant future, we should be able to give you an update on how things are progressing.

And apart from that? Let us say that we have plenty of exciting things planned. Keep your eyes peeled and ears to the ground.

[h2]Coming up next[/h2]

Drop us a line to let us know what you think. Do this through our Steam forums and Eugen forums, or check our social channels (Facebook and Twitter). Looking for an online game? Visit the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page.

See you on the battlefield!