Steel Division 2 News

Hello commander!

That’s right, welcome to a bit of a surprise! We wanted to look at all the good things that came out of Eugen’s workshop in 2020, and we realized we need a separate, dedicated DevBlog post to really do this justice.

Much like we did last year, we are going to highlight all the DLCs and bigger expansions we released for Steel Division 2 in 2020. No small feat in an otherwise challenging year for all, so let’s celebrate it together!

Our regular blog post schedule continues as usual, so expect a new Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics Versus article this Thursday.

[h2]January to March[/h2]
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1254980/Steel_Division_2__Reinforcement_Pack_6__Auto_Deployment/

In February, we released our first free DLC of the year: Reinforcement Pack #6. This DLC introduced the Auto Deployment mechanic, which greatly sped up deployment not only in our Army General campaigns but also during Skirmish matches.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1236360/Steel_Division_2__The_Fate_of_Finland/

What came before was just an appetizer. In March, we released the History Expansion: Steel Division 2: The Fate of Finland. This was the second of the three paid expansions we promised to deliver within one year of Steel Division 2’s launch.



Steel Division 2: The Fate of Finland features:

• 6 new Divisions, including unique Finnish formations. As the Axis, play with Panssaridivisioona, the Ryhmä Raappana, and the 122. Infanterie-Division. As the Allies receive access to the 126-y L. Gornostrelkovy Korpus, the Podv. Gruppa Vyborg, and the 358-ya Strelkovy Div.
  
• 1 new massive Army General campaign - Tali-Ihantala - as well as two new Historical Battles, The Last Battle and Fate of a Nation.
  
• A host of new units, such as the BT-42 assault gun, the multi-turreted T-28 tank, the Finnish T-26E, the fast BT-7 and the state-of-the-art ISU-122S. Take to the skies with warplanes such as the Polikarpov I-153 biplane, the lend-lease P-40 Kittyhawk, the Italian-made Fiat G.50 or the Finnish-designed VL Myrsky.
• 2 new Aces: Eino “Illu” Juutilainen and his Me-109 G-2/R1 fighter, and Alexander Bilyukin with his lend-lease P-39N Aircobra.
  

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1254990/Steel_Division_2__Reinforcement_Pack_7__Rules_of_Engagement/

We also released another free DLC in March: Reinforcement Pack #7. This DLC brought you the new Rules of Engagement mechanic, allowing you to fine tune the default behavior of units when executing certain types of orders.

[h2]April to June[/h2]
In April, we brought you the Reinforcement Pack #8 re-introducing an often-requested points-based game mode from Steel Division: Normandy 44: Destruction.



https://store.steampowered.com/app/1254991/Steel_Division_2__Reinforcement_Pack_8__Destruction_Mode/

Not only that, but we also rolled out several improvements to the Army General mode, including a new way to display a pawn’s strength, new unit pawn labels, and an improved Autoresolve panel.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1307600/Steel_Division_2__Tribute_to_DDay_Pack/

A whole bunch of good stuff came in June, with our commemoration of the invasion of Normandy on June 6th including a brand-new DLC for Steel Division 2, Tribute to D-Day, featuring 6 original divisions from Steel Division: Normandy 44.



This DLC brings:

• 6 new divisions, including the Polish 1 Dywizja Pancerna, the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division, and the 6th British Airborne. For the Germans, you’ll get the 3. Fallschirmjäger-Division, the 12. SS-Panzerdivision “Hitlerjugend”, and the 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen”.
  
• A comeback of fan-favorite units such as the M18 Hellcat tank destroyer, Cromwell and Tetrarch tanks, “Beute” Firefly tank, Fallschirmjäger, U.S. Rangers, and more.
  

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1307590/Steel_Division_2__Reinforcement_Pack_9__Army_General_Versus/

We also released the free Reinforcement Pack #9 in the month, bringing you Army General Versus, introducing 1v1 online battles to Army General.



[h2]July to September[/h2]
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1348670/Steel_Division_2__Black_Sunday/

You’d think the summer would be quiet. Guess again! In August, we released the third and final of our originally announced History Expansions: Steel Division: Black Sunday.



Steel Division 2: Black Sunday features:

• Experience the Jassy-Kichinev offensive into Axis Romania during World War 2 with 2 brand-new Army General strategic campaigns, each focussing on one of the massive pincers of this Soviet assault in August 1944.
  
• 6 new divisions, including the Romanian 1 Blindata “România Mare”, the 5 Cavalerie Motorizatâ, and the Division 4 Munte. As the Allies, play with the 7-y Mekh. Korpus, the 3-ya VDV Div. or the Morsk. Gruppa Bakhtina.
  
• Over 150 new units, such as the TACAM T-60, the Resita AC 75mm AT gun, Vanatorul de Care R-35 tank destroyer, Italian license-built JRS-79B bombers and IAR-80M fighters, off-map MLRS rocket BKA riverboats, repurposed SU-76i tank destroyers, and T-80s tanks.
  
• 2 new Aces: the Romanian tank buster Lazar Munteanu and Konstantin Dmitrievich Denisov.
  
• Update how your units look with over 15 new Camouflage Skins, from official French early war patterns for the R-35 or the Moscow 1942 air defense markings for a Spitfire Mk VB fighter.
  

https://store.steampowered.com/app/988171/Steel_Division_2__History_Pass/

An easy (and discounted) way to access all three of the original, Year 1 History Expansions is to get the Steel Division 2: History Pass. This pass grants you Steel Division: Death on the Vistula, Steel Division: The Fate of Finland, and Steel Division: Black Sunday.

[h2]September to December[/h2]
We were not done yet! Moving towards the tail-end of 2020, we started to launch the first of our new Nemesis DLC. These smaller expansions feature a pair of new divisions, with new units, as voted on by you, the community. Each Nemesis DLC is the result of three voting rounds, with only the most popular DLC option to be released.

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

The first Nemesis DLC was decided on by us, and launched in October for free. Nemesis #1: Sandomierz Bridgehead featured the German 16. Panzerdivision and the Soviet 97-ya Gv. Strelk. Div. It also brings the new Königstiger (H) and Razveddozor unit, as well as 1 new Ace, Aleksander P. Oskin and 1 alternative Camouflage Skin for the 1 Königstiger (H).



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

And in November it was time for our first player-voted Nemesis DLC, Nemesis #2: Lvov Offensive. This mini expansion brought the German 20. Panzergrenadier-Division and the 10. Gv. Tank. Korpus, as well as 1 new Ace, Helmut Bruck. This Nemesis DLC and also features a variety of new units including Bef.Tiger (P), Elefant, Panzer V/IV, T-5 Pantera, Flakpanzer T-34(r), among others.



[h2]What happens next?[/h2]
We are still mighty busy with lots of new things. 2021 is promising to blow 2020 out of the water - that’s for sure! What are we working on?

We have recently revealed a brand-new History Expansion, Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics. It will feature:

• 1 massive new Army General campaign set in the Baltics during Operation Doppelkopf, allowing you to take command of either the attacking Axis 3. Panzerarmee or the defending Allied 1st Baltic Front.
  
• 8 new Divisions, playable solo, coop, or in multiplayer, including 6 which took part during Doppelkopf and 2 divisions from Army Group North’s theater of operations.
  
• 120+ new units, including a variety of new models such as Aufklärungspanzer 38(t) recon tank, Ar 196 A-3 floatplane, Soviet MT-13 160mm super-heavy mortar and the BS-3 100mm heavy AT gun.
  
• 1 gigantic new 10v10 map, the largest map ever to be included in Steel Division 2.
  
• 2 new Nations: Lithuania (Axis) and Estonia (Allies) and 2 new Aces.
  

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1477780/Steel_Division_2__Nemesis_3__Battle_of_Rimini/

Don’t forget: Nemesis: Battle of Rimini is coming your way. The launch of this Nemesis DLC is on January 28th!

[h2]Until Thursday![/h2]
We are back again this Thursday with a regular post. Let us know what you think.
If you want to reach out to us, do this through our Steam forums and Eugen forums, or check our (Facebook and Twitter). Looking for an online game? Visit the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page.

See you on the battlefield, commander!

Back in action, commander!

As promised in the last week’s reveal of Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics, we’ll be taking an in-depth look today into the first pair of new divisions to be featured in our new History Expansion.

We’ll follow the same Versus format as we did with Steel Division 2: Black Sunday. Each new division is paired and divided into several categories: Armored, Mechanized, Infantry, and Special.

This week, we’ll be highlighting awesome tank power with the two new Armored battlegroups: Panzerverband Strachwitz for the Axis and 19-y Tank Corpus for the Allies.

[h2]Historical Context[/h2]
A quick recap of the strategic situation of Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics. By July 1944, the Soviets have reached the Gulf of Riga, cutting off Army Group North (in the Baltics) from Army Group Center (Latvia and Lithuania, and further south). Recognizing the critical need to reestablish a link, the Germans immediately organize a counter-attack: Operation Doppelkopf. This offensive will turn out to be the last major victory for Nazi-Germany on the Eastern Front.

[h2]Panzerverband Strachwitz[/h2] Panzerverband Strachwitz was an ad hoc armored formation made up of two existing Panzer Brigades, brought together right before the start of the counter-offensive. Commanded by the colorful Hyacinth Graf Strachwitz von Groß-Zauche und Camminetz, also known as the (equally cool) Der Panzergraf (“The Panzer Count”), a large variety of tanks can be found in this battlegroup.



During Operation Doppelkopf, Panzerverband Strachwitz proved instrumental in the offensive’s success. It broke through the Soviet lines, outmaneuvering and forcing the surrender of a much larger enemy force at Tukums, capturing useful military stores, and reaching Riga with Der Panzergraf leading from the front every step of the way. The heavy cruiser “Prinz Eugen” provided timely fire support from the nearby Gulf of Riga, devastating Red Army positions with accurate naval artillery bombardments.



[h2]Panzerverband Strachwitz’s main features[/h2]
A very offensive battlegroup, Panzerverband Strachwitz contains a unique mix of units and vehicles, including a varied selection of tanks, from obsolete training variants to brand-new Panther A and G tanks, as well as captured Soviet T-34/85. There is more on offer: from truck-borne Panzergrenadier troops to armored scout cars and half-tracks, SS units, Latvian artillery, and the awesome fire support of the “Prinz Eugen.”

• The battlegroup features a very strong armored core, made up from Panzer-Brigade 101, and SS-Panzer-Brigade Groß. This means the player can command a large variety of different tanks, such as Panzer III, Luchs, StuG, Panzer IV, and several Tiger E.
  
• Infantry can also be found in various flavors, including normal Grenadier or Panzergrenadier variety, transported by truck or half-track.
  
• Heavy reconnaissance units, including the new Erkundung unit. A heavy recon pioneer squad it deploys together with the new SdKfz. 251/1 Ausf. D.
  
• To reflect the shiny new toys brought by Panzer-Brigade 101, we’ve further modeled the SdKfz. 251 Ausf. D half-track, detailing the variety of sub-variants in a more accurate way.
• This includes the new SdKfz. 251/1 Ausf. D Erkundung recon variant, a new SdKfz. 251/9 Ausf. D full fire support variant, carrying more ammo than its original counterpart, including HEAT rounds, and a new SdKfz. 251/7 Ausf. D. This last version is both an AA and 20mm AT transport vehicle, being able to carry an Infantry Leader squad.
  
• A huge booty of Soviet war materiel was captured during the offensive, including tanks. This allows Panzerverband Strachwitz to have access to several Beute T-34/85 from Phase B onwards.
  
• Off-map artillery is provided by the Prinz Eugen, which can deploy its Ar 196 A-3 (a brand-new model) floatplane for accurate fire missions using its 203mm naval guns.
  
• Good air support is also available to this battlegroup, thanks to a strong detachment of Panzervogel Stuka (Ju-87 with 2x37mm AT guns) and bombers. A new bomber is also featured: the Do 217E-4, a new variant of the Do 217.
  

Great on the attack, Panzerverband Strachwitz features a variety of tanks, cheap slots, good tank-busting air support, and powerful off-map naval artillery. It’s not as strong on the defensive, with restricted AT and AA slots and choices, as well as only an average mix of ground artillery units.

[h2]19-y Tank Corpus[/h2]
Formed in the dying days of 1942, the 19-y Tank Corpus (19th Tank Corps) fought on the Bryansk Front, and in the combat that followed for many hard months, was almost wiped out. The formation kept fighting, taking part in the counter-offensives at Kursk. Attached to the 4th Ukrainian Front, it took part in the Dniepr Offensive, then the follow-up Operation Melitopol which brought the Red Army back to Crimea. Heavily reinforced with assault guns and flamethrower tanks (some retained until the end of the war), the corps distinguished itself well by liberating Sevastopol.

Once again brought under the reserve of the Soviet High Command (Stavka), the 19-y Tank Corpus was refitted entirely with T-34/85 by June 1944. While not taking part in the opening battles of Operation Bagration, it was used to exploit the breakthrough at Vitebsk, fighting its way through Lithuania and Latvia, right up to the Gulf of Riga.



Worn-out and depleted of supporting infantry, the 19-y Tank Corpus was the only immediately available armored reserve formation in the area. As such, it managed to counter the German attacking spearheads. Reinforced with various artillery troops and other armored units, the corps bought valuable time for the 5th Tank Army to be rushed to the front. Surviving the offensive, the 19-y Tank Corpus remained in the Baltics, fighting to reduce the Courland Pocket until the end of the war.

[h2]19-y Tank Corpus’ main features[/h2]
Being held in reserve, the 19-y Tank Corpus is an armored battlegroup, equipped with T-34/85, focused on defensive operations with a broader choice of artillery and AA units. It does feature more restricted numbers of tanks and infantry.

• A classic Soviet tank corps, this battlegroup features a host of T-34/85. Due to its reserve status, the 19-y Tank Corpus has access to only a limited amount of TANK and INF slots and cards.
  
• The formation can call on a detachment of heavy tanks for additional armor support, which comes in the form of the KV-85.
  
• In support, OT-34 flamethrower tanks can be found, as well as a few heavy SU-152.
  
• The 19-y Tank Corpus can call on plentiful of AA and Artillery units, including heavy AA guns, Katyusha launchers, 152mm guns and even 203mm howitzers.
  
• Air support is typical for similar Allied battlegroups, but features a new unit, the lend-lease American B-25J-30, a heavily modified bomber doubling as a close support plane, armed with seven forward-facing .50 cal machine guns.
  

It might lack the armored punch normally seen with comparable battlegroups, but the 19-y Tank Corpus makes up for this by being more than flexible on the defensive, thanks to its support, AA, and artillery units.

[h2]What can you expect from Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics?[/h2]
In case you missed our reveal last week: Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics will feature:

• 1 massive new Army General campaign set in the Baltics during Operation Doppelkopf, allowing you to take command of either the attacking Axis 3. Panzerarmee or the defending Allied 1st Baltic Front.
  
• 8 new Divisions, playable solo, coop, or in multiplayer, including 6 which took part during Doppelkopf and 2 divisions from Army Group North’s theater of operations.
  
• 120+ new units, including a variety of new models such as Aufklärungspanzer 38(t) recon tank, Ar 196 A-3 floatplane, Soviet MT-13 160mm super-heavy mortar and the BS-3 100mm heavy AT gun.
  
• 1 gigantic new 10v10 map.
  
• 2 new Nations: Lithuania (Axis) and Estonia (Allies) and 2 new Aces.
  

[h2]Until next week![/h2]
Don’t forget: Nemesis: Battle of Rimini is coming your way. The launch of this Nemesis DLC is on January 28th!

If you want to reach out to us, do this through our Steam forums and Eugen forums, or check our (Facebook and Twitter). Looking for an online game? Visit the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page.

See you on the battlefield, commander!

Welcome back!

Without any further ado: the next History Expansion for Steel Division 2 will be Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics!

We shared the key art for Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics in last week’s post, and some of you correctly surmised that we would bring the action to the north and feature the hard-fought (and pretty much last) major, successful German counter-offensive on the Eastern Front.

What can you expect from our next expansion featuring Operation Doppelkopf?

Keep reading to find out more!

[h2]Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics[/h2] Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics takes place in, you might have guessed it, the Baltics. To be exact: our new History Expansion features Nazi-Germany’s last big counter-attack, Operation Doppelkopf, which kicked off in August 1944, in the region south of Riga, the Latvian capital. The offensive’s aim? To re-establish communications between Army Group Center (holding on to parts of Lithuania and Latvia) and Army Group North (cut-off and fighting further north of Riga).



Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics will feature:

• 1 massive, new Army General campaign.
  
• 8 new Divisions, including 6 which took part during Doppelkopf and 2 Divisions from Army Group North.
  
• 120+ new units, including a variety of new models such as Aufklärungspanzer 38(t) recon tank, Soviet MT-13 160mm super-heavy mortar and the BS-3 100mm heavy AT gun.
  
• 1 gigantic 10v10 map, as well as the new Very Small map edit.
  
• 2 new Nations: Lithuania (Axis) and Estonia (Allies) and 2 new Aces.
  

Please note that Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics is NOT included in the Steel Division 2 - History Pass. This History Pass grants you access to the original three History Expansions:

• Steel Division 2: Death on the Vistula
• Steel Division 2: The Fate of Finland
• Steel Division 2: Black Sunday.
  

[h2]New Army General Campaign - Operation Doppelkopf[/h2]
Let’s look at the historical background of Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics. The Wehrmacht is reeling from the massive blows inflicted during Operation Bagration. In the northeast, the Baltics, the German defensive lines have crumbled.

Having punched through the German lines, a Red Army spearhead reaches the Baltic shoreline in the Gulf of Riga by the end of July, west of the Latvian capital.

This severs the connection between the Wehrmacht’s Army Group North and what is left of Army Group Centre. Reestablishing this link becomes the prime objective of Operation Doppelkopf: one of the last, major victorious Axis offensives on the Eastern Front.

Having turned their attention to Riga, the Soviets are besieging the city. The covering and flanking troops are stretched thin, but the mighty Red Army, even though tired, is still a force to be reckoned with. At this critical point, the Germans group together elements from no less than five Panzerdivisionen, one Panzergrenadier-Division (the mighty “Grossdeutschland”), and one armored Kampfgruppe. That’s a mighty powerful armored fist!

For once, it is the Soviets that are taken by surprise. The Red Army’s delaying actions are moderately successful, buying critical time for emergency Allied armored reinforcements to be brought up from the rear. However, the Germans push through. After heavy combat, including artillery support from Kriegsmarine cruisers in the Baltic Sea shelling enemy positions, the German troops managed to establish a tenuous link with Army Group North.



The victory (and the coherent front that comes with it) is short-lived. Less than two months later, the Red Army attacked again. In the resulting Memel Offensive Operation, the Soviets manage to reach the Baltic Sea once more. This time, the German forces in the Baltic States are cut off for real, and for the remaining of the war, a sizable portion of German formations are held up in the Courland Pocket and at a bridgehead at Memel.

In the new Army General campaign of Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics, you’ll take command of either the 3. Panzerarmee or 1st Baltic Front. And this time, the traditional roles on the Eastern Front are swapped around: the Axis attack, and the Allies are put on the defensive.

[h2]Eight New Divisions[/h2]
All of the following divisions, playable in all solo, cooperative or multiplayer modes, will be extensively detailed in future blog posts.

The Axis

• Panzerverband Strachwitz - Armored
  
• Panzergrenadier-Division “Grossdeutschland” - Mechanized
  
• 52. Sicherungs-Division z.b.V. - Infantry
  
• 11. SS-Freiw.Panzergrenadier-Division “Nordland” - Part of Army Group North

The Allies

• 19-y Tank Korpus - Armored
  
• Rezerv 43-y Armii - Mechanized
  
• Podv. Gruppa Fedyunkin - Infantry
  
• 7-ya Strelkovy Div. (Est.) - Part of Soviet operations further north.
  

Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics will feature two brand-new nations, fully voiced: Lithuania (Axis) and Estonia (Allies). We haven’t forgotten Latvia, though. Troops from this nation were fighting as part of the Waffen-SS, and as such will be featured as fully voiced, unique German unit (in the same vein as French LVF or Italian SS-Legionari).

Two new Aces will also be included in Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics. They will be highlighted in a future blog post.

[h2]What’s Next?[/h2]

That’s it for the reveal of Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics. Be sure to check in next week: we’ll start with highlighting key details of our new History Expansion, including in-depth looks into each individual division.

Lest we forget: Nemesis: Battle of Rimini is coming your way. The full launch of this Nemesis We’ll be releasing our new Nemesis DLC on January 28th. Be sure to grab it when it launches!



If you want to reach out to us, do this through our Steam forums and Eugen forums, or check our (Facebook and Twitter). Looking for an online game? Visit the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page.

See you on the battlefield, commander!

Welcome to 2021, commander!

Happy New Year to all! We are glad you made it. Let’s hope that 2021 will be infinitely more kick-ass than the last (rather crappy) year. At Eugen, we are damned sure to do our part in achieving that lofty goal, at least when it comes to everything related to Steel Division 2 .

How? Well, keep on reading to find out what we have in store for (early) 2021!

[h2]Coming up next[/h2]

What can you expect from us this year? As a matter of fact, lots of things. From the very start, we pledged to keep working on and supporting Steel Division 2. We aim to continue to do this for the foreseeable future.

There is plenty of things in the Eugen pipeline, including one or two super secret things we are working on, not ready yet to be shown in the public light. Who knows, who knows…

What we can talk about is:

[h3]MAPS![/h3]

Yup, that’s it. We hear you (extremely loud and clear, don’t you worry), and we are going to expand the roster of maps currently featured in Steel Division 2. This means:

• We are putting the finishing touches on the previously announced urban map. Check out the deets in our previous post here. Expect some challenging house-to-house combat in this new urban map, which mixes semi- and dense urban terrain. When will it come? Soon, we promise!
  
• We are working on a new dedicated 10v10 map. This new map will use all the available space to its fullest extent, meaning that there will be no leftover terrain on either side. As such, it will feature the largest playing area of all maps.
  
• We are also working on providing a Very Small edit of existing maps. This will allow them to be played more comfortably during 1v1 or Tactical games.
  

[h3]Updated Game Lobby[/h3]

Moving forward, we’ll introduce the possibility to create (and search) for 6v6 games. Not only that: we will also present an option for players to create their own 10v10 private servers.

[h3]Gameplay Changes[/h3]

One of the gameplay elements we wanted to improve was an armored warfare overhaul (tank and anti-tank combat ranges). We are still working on this. Providing more realistic engagement ranges, including reducing some of the effective combat ranges of various tank guns, takes a bit longer than expected.

In case you’ve forgotten: this new take on armored warfare aims to reduce the amount of inconclusive engagements at extreme ranges, with armor exchanging fire without any result. Our new approach introduces a broader array of gun ranges, meaning that different tank guns will perform better (or worse) at different ranges.

Before we roll out the new combat ranges, we want to update the Effective Shot mechanic as well. In the future, players will treat this as a Rules of Engagement variable, letting them set the desired engagement range of any units, including infantry.



[h3]Army General Improvements[/h3]

We are working on a bunch of Army General improvements including:

• Improved Auto Resolve mechanics. They will be more streamlined while taking better into account the type of environment (urban, woods) during a combat resolution.
  
• Improved tactical combat, including the possibility of bringing five battalions to a fight. This is two more than the current maximum of three battalions.
  
• Improved display of battalion strengths to make this information more readable.
  
• Improved Army General’s AI, with the latter using its armored battalions more effectively. This also includes a more cunning use of artillery by the computer to neutralize key enemy battalions.
  
• Improved movement. To make it more transparent and fluid when moving battalions.
  

[h3]A new History Expansion[/h3]

Ooooh…, that’s right: we are getting very close to revealing all the juicy details concerning the new History Expansion we are working on. The excitement… it’s almost unbearable. Expect some new info very soon!



[h2]Until next week![/h2]

And that’s it for our future look into 2021. Lots of good things are coming your way - that’s for sure.

Before we forget: Nemesis: Battle of Rimini is heading your way very soon. We’ll be releasing our new Nemesis DLC on January 28th. Be sure to grab it when it launches!



Meanwhile, we are already at work on the next Nemesis DLC, Storming Toulon, with its Légion, Tirailleurs & Kriegsmarine infantry.
Read all about the Nemesis: Storming Toulon in this detailed blog post.

If you want to reach out to us, do this through our Steam forums and Eugen forums, or check our (Facebook and Twitter). Looking for an online game? Visit the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page.

See you on the battlefield, commander!

Hello!

Welcome to the final blog post of 2020! It surely has been a long year for all of us, no doubt.

At Eugen, we have tried our best to steer the ship through 2020s dark waters and stormy weather, and we sincerely hope that you’ve liked what came out of our creative spaces and (home) offices during this time. We never stopped working!

As a matter of fact, we’ve got plenty of interesting things planned for you in the new year! Exciting times are coming.

Before we adjourn for the holiday season, we wanted to give you a deep dive into our third Nemesis DLC, including listing all the new units and variants. Expect Nemesis: Battle of Rimini to be released in the not-too-distant future!

Keep reading to find out more.

[h2]Nemesis: Battle of Rimini Updated[/h2]

Let’s rewind. Nemesis: Battle of Rimini takes place at the end of summer 1944, when the Allies are dead set on breaking through the Gothic defensive line in Italy. The Adriatic coastline looks most promising. If the British Eighth Army can enact a breakthrough here, near Rimini, it might force the Germans to redeploy precious forces. This would weaken the center and allow the American troops to punch through and push towards the coast. With one flank rolled up, the road to northern Italy would lay open. This Allied plan became known as Operation Olive.

However, the offensive doesn’t exactly go as planned. The Allied focus, including supplies and manpower, is aimed at other theatres, mostly Normandy and in the south of France with Operation Dragoon. Not only that: due to tempestuous weather, Operation Olive bogs down quickly. Even though the opening battles take the Axis defenders by surprise, tenacious resistance by, amongst others, the paratroopers of the 1. Fallschirmjäger makes it slow going for the Allied units. When 2nd New Zealand Division with the 3rd Greek Mountain Brigade steps into the fray, it only results in a slow grind through the rain and mud, until the now ruined Rimini is finally liberated after weeks of heavy combat.

[h3]1. Fallschirmjäger[/h3]

Once considered elite and at the forefront of early war German airborne operations, by the time Operation Olive swings around, the 1. Fallschirmjäger has been decimated in the costly battles of Crete and Italy. The veteran paratroopers recapture some of their lost glory through their legendary defense of the Monte Cassino monastery. Depleted in strength, the 1. Fallschirmjäger is reinforced by fresh Grenadier recruits and elements from 162. (Turk.) Infanterie-Division - Osttruppen from Soviet minorities. Excellent while defending, the battlegroup can count on considerable support forces, especially in anti-tank and anti-aircraft units.



What can you expect of the 1. Fallschirmjäger?

• The Recon tab is limited, with few slots and all options being scouts on foot.
  
• A powerful advantage of this battlegroup is the quality and availability in its Infantry tab; there are quite a few slots available with lots of choice. For instance, players can select various elite Fallschirmjäger variants (including a new Fs-Stosstrupp assault squad) which come equipped with the Raider trait. These units are supported by regular Grenadier with MGs, and cheaper Ost-Legionäre (with the Disheartened trait).
  
• What Tanks might lack in variety, it makes up for sheer firepower. All options are Tiger Es!
  
• A regular Support tab, with a standard mix of MGs from Maxim to Fallschirmjäger MG-34s with the Raider trait. Some LG 42 can also be found in a fire support role.
  
• Excellent Anti-Tank forces are at the player’s disposal: light Püppchen and PaK 177 (captured Italian 47mm Elefantino), PaK 40, Nashorn, Jagdpanzer IV and PaK 43.
  
• The Artillery tab is basic with mostly mortars on offer, including 81mm and 120mm. Towed gun pieces are light mountain 75mm guns (with HEAT rounds) and standard 105mm howitzers.
  
• The battlegroup’s AA tab is very good, with many open slots. Options are cheap, including classics such as towed 20mm, 37mm and 88mm, and the self-propelled Breda 20mm mounted on an Italian SPA-38 truck.
  
• The Air tab is average, with fighters and fighter-bombers, although some bomber units can be found. Two captured Italian planes can be deployed: the recon biplane CR.42 and the Re.2005 fighter.
  

[h3]2nd New Zealand Division[/h3]

As a hybrid combined-arms battlegroup, the 2nd New Zealand Division was a bit of an odd duck among the Allied forces. Having fought in the North African and Mediterranean theatre as part of the British Eighth Army, the veteran formation featured the attached 3rd Greek Mountain Brigade. Notorious for its troops’ looting behavior, the Kiwi formation contains some weaponry of questionable origin, including captured German and other “liberated” Allied materiel. The 2nd New Zealand Division doesn’t have any real shortcomings, being balanced on both the offense and defense.



What can you expect of the 2nd New Zealand Division?

• This battlegroup has a large amount of choice in the Recon tab, including some Greek units equipped with radio, as well as heavy turretless Stuart scout APCs and armored cars (Staghound).
  
• There is quite a bit of variety with the Infantry on offer: from Maori heavy infantry squads fielding captured MP-40 and twin MG-34, and featuring the Fanatical trait, to Greek mountaineer squads with the Raider trait, and Diggers as regular Commonwealth infantry.
  
• The Tank category is rather standard with either Stuarts or Shermans 75mm deployable.
  
• A pretty decent Support tab, with typical Commonwealth units. More captured materiel can be found here, including MG-42 and “liberated” M2 .50 cal MGs. Several fire support vehicles are available: Sherman Ib (short 105mm) and Staghound Mk.II ( short 76mm).
  
• Anti-tank forces are pretty regular with 6-pdr towed guns (either New Zealand or Greek operated, the latter bringing the Raider trait), Wolverine and 17-pdr guns.
  
• Basic Artillery tab with mortars and 25-pdr guns, all of them coming in either New Zealand or Greek variants. Some heavy off-map Canadian artillery support is available.
  
• Not much in the way of anti-aircraft units, with only a select number of Bofors guns and captured Italian 20 mm Breda pieces mounted on Morris trucks.
  
• An average Air tab, with plenty of options but mostly limited to older equipment including fighter and fighter-bombers, and a few recon fighters and light bombers. The new Beaufighter and Baltimore bomber can be deployed as well.
  

[h2]Nemesis: Battle of Rimini’s new units and models[/h2]

The following new units can be found in Nemesis: Battle of Rimini:

New Units

• (NZ) Maori - heavy infantry.
  
• (Greek) Oplites - mountain infantry.
  
• (Greek) Anichnefetis - mountain scouts.
  
• (Greek) Baltimore Mk. V - bomber.
  
• (British) Beaufighter Mk. X - heavy fighter.
  
• Fs-Stosstrupp - paratrooper assault squad brimming with automatic weapons.
  
• Ost-Legionäre - infantry with Disheartened trait, entirely equipped with Soviet weaponry.
  
• Re.2005 - captured Italian fighter.
  
• SPA-38R - captured Italian truck.
  
• SPA-38R Breda - self-propelled captured Breda AA gun.
  

New Variants or Models

• (NZ) Carrier .30 - recon carrier with two M1919 MGs.
  
• (NZ) Carrier .50 - recon carrier with one M1919 and one M2 .50 MG.
  
• (NZ) Staghound Mk.II - fire-support version with a short 76mm.
  
• (NZ) Morris C8 - artillery tractor.
  
• (NZ) Morris C8 Breda - self-propelled AA gun.
  
• (British) P-40F Kittyhawk - fighter/fighter-bomber.
  
• (Canadian) Spitfire LF Mk.VIIIc - fighter/fighter-bomber.
  
• (South African) Spitfire LF Mk.IXc - recon fighter with clipped wings. South Africa will be classified as British here… for now.
  
• (Greek) Spitfire LF Mk.Vc/trop - fighter/fighter-bomber.
  
• (British) Boston Mk.III - currently only featured in French battlegroups as the DB-73.
  
• P-51C Mustang - only featured in Polish battlegroups as the Mustang Mk.III. Note that these will be deployable as part of the famous “Red Tails”, the first African-American fighter group.
  
• Lince - Italian-built variant of the Daimler Scout car.
  
• Grenadier (MG-42) - regular Grenadier unit but equipped with an MG-42 instead of MG-34. As fresh recruits, they can’t be deployed with veterancy.
  
• JU 88A-4 - bomber, previously featured in Hungarian and Finnish battlegroups.
  
• CR-42 - Italian biplane, previously only featured in Hungarian battlegroups.
  
• PaK 177 - captured Italian Breda 47mm guns. Already featured with Romania, though as a fire support gun. As used by the 1. Fallschirmjäger it will be a light anti-tank gun.
  

A small model fix: the existing Soviet Spitfire Mk.Vb has been updated (for all players, not only DLC owners).

Nemesis: Battle of Rimini will also ship with a new Allied Ace: the Greek fighter pilot Marinos Mitralexis, famous for performing one of the first ramming attacks of the war - and surviving to tell the tale. Mitralexis took down an Italian bomber over Albania in 1940 with his plane’s propeller. This Ace kept fighting with the Allied Hellenic Royal Air Force. Mitralexis’s plane in-game will be the Spitfire Mk.Vc/trop.

[h2]Which Nemesis DLC can you play already?[/h2]

Nemesis: Battle of Sandomierz Bridgehead is our first Nemesis DLC and available for free now! It features the 16. Panzerdivision and the 97th Guards Rifle Division from the Eastern Front, bringing several new units, including the most powerful German tank of World War II, the Königstiger (H).

The second Nemesis DLC, Nemesis: Lvov Offensive is available now 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]Coming up next[/h2]

If you want to reach out to us, do this through our Steam forums and Eugen forums, or check our (Facebook and Twitter). Looking for an online game? Visit the kick-ass Discord server or Reddit page.

This will be our last post for 2020. From the whole Eugen team, we wish you all the best and prosperity, not only to you but also to your friends, family, and loved ones.

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay strong. See you on the battlefield in 2021! Happy holidays, commander!