Steel Division 2 News

Hello commander!

In today’s Steel Division 2: Black Sunday Versus post, we’ll be shining a spotlight on two new “mixed” divisions launching with our upcoming third History DLC: the Romanian Division 5 Cavalerie Motorizata goes up against the Red Army’s Morskaya Gruppa Bakhtina.



Let’s see what makes these two “hybrid” battlegroups unique.

If you haven’t, be sure to check out last week’s Versus post taking a deep dive into two new armored divisions releasing with Steel Division 2: Black Sunday.

The Steel Division 2: Black Sunday will feature six new divisions, two Army General campaigns, two new Aces, 15 Camouflage skins, 150 new units, and much more exciting new stuff.

[h3]Steel Division 2’s History Pass[/h3]

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

Don’t forget, getting the awesome Steel Division 2’s History Pass grants you access to all three History DLCs for Steel Division 2. The History Pass includes the “Black Sunday” expansion, as well as the The Fate of Finland expansion and The Death on the Vistula expansion.

[h3]Division 5 Cavalerie Motorizata[/h3]

Here’s a fun one! The Division 5 Cavalerie Motorizata (the 5th Motorized Cavalry Division) was a horse cavalry division earmarked to be converted into an armored cavalry division by Romanian high command. However, due to the lack of equipment, the reorganization was stopped halfway. This means that this formation has a surprising amount of light armor, armored personnel carriers and armored cars, especially with its reconnaissance units, though its infantry are SMG-equipped cavalry troops (minus the horses) and its tanks forces are meager.

The Division 5 Cavalerie Motorizata deployed on the western flank of the Romanian defensive lines, near Jassy. Here, the division stood in the path of the 2nd Ukrainian Front’s main assault. The 5 Cavalerie Motorizata, including a German StuG detachment, tried to stem the Soviet onslaught but was unsuccessful in its attempts. They were forced to withdraw to avoid being outflanked. After the 23rd of August coup, remnants of the formation were disbanded, with some of its soldiers fighting for the Soviets until the end of the war.



[h3]The Division 5 Cavalerie Motorizata’s main features[/h3]

While the Division 5 Cavalerie Motorizata might lack strong tank forces, it makes up with a high variety of reconnaissance units, anti-tank guns, and air support.

• Its reconnaissance forces rely on a large variety of lightly armored vehicles: R-1 (Czech AH-IV tankette), R-2 (Czech Panzer 38), AB Usor (Italian AB41 Autoblinda) and AB Horch (SdKfz. 222), and a few SdKfz. 247 wheeled armored personnel carriers.
  
• The division’s infantry is mostly Rosiori (cavalry troops) using Beretta SMGs instead of the MP-40s or indigenous Orita M1941.
  
• The 5 Cavalerie Motorizata was supported in the field by a German StuG-Brigade, which brings its own set of units including StuG III G, Panzer II Luchs and Begleit-Grenadier rifle squads.
  
• The Breda AC 47mm, a Swiss-Italian anti-tank gun, can also be used in a fire support role.
  
• Further anti-tank forces are formed of Panzerschreck squads and heavy-duty Solothurn anti-tank rifles, captured Soviet 45mm AT guns and even the excellent Resita AC 75mm gun.
  
• Next to a complement of French 25mm and twin 13,2mm, an attached AA battalion provides heavier-hitting guns, including 40mm Bofors and 75mm dual-purpose Vickers guns.
  
• The 5 Cavalerie Motorizata is entirely equipped with Soviet artillery captured during the Crimean campaign. This means that, alongside mortars, F-22 76,2mm and M30 122mm gun-howitzers can be deployed.
  
• The Air tab features Romanian IAR-37 biplane bombers and IAR-80M fighters and fighter-bombers. Other planes include Ju-87D-3 and Hs-129 tank busters, as well as He-111 and Ju-88 bombers.
  

[h3]Morskaya Gruppa Bakhtina[/h3]

Another unusual formation was the ad-hoc Morskaya Gruppa Bakhtina (Naval Group Bakhtina) named after its commanding general. A mission-focused battlegroup, this division’s principal task was to perform an amphibious assault across the Dniester estuary on the eastern flank of the Soviet operation into Romania. Here, the Morskaya Gruppa Bakhtina had to neutralize the medieval Akkerman fortress harboring modern coastal guns controlling the river’s exit into the Black Sea. This historical castle prevented the nearby Soviet fleet from supporting the offensive.

Think of this attack as the Soviet version of D-Day meets “The Guns of Navarone”. Made up of naval brigades, the Morskaya Gruppa Bakhtina was earmarked to perform the daring deed. It could count on special forces naval infantry (OSNAZ) and off-map MLRS rocket-launcher barges for fire support. The subsequent assault waves featured engineers, recon units with a few armored vehicles, and regular infantry from the 259th Rifle Division. The battlegroup was disbanded quickly after successfully capturing the fortress.



[h3]The Morskaya Gruppa Bakhtina’s main features[/h3]

The Morskaya Gruppa Bakhtina fields very strong infantry, and can count on decent recon troops and sizable air support. While weak in armor, anti-tank, and AA defenses, it reigns supreme in close combat.

• To represent the various assault waves, only naval troops and OSNAZ special forces are available in phase A (and, of course, in B and C). Other units become available in later phases, such as regular troops in B, tanks from B onwards, etc.
  
• All naval infantry units have access to a sizable amount of GPA and DUKW amphibious vehicles.
  
• Reconnaissance units are made up of naval combat scouts and the kick-ass OSNAZ recon and Navy OSNAZ units (new unit).
  
• Infantry is where Morskaya Gruppa Bakhtina truly shines, with special naval infantry available from phase A (including amphibious vehicles) and regular Strelki rifle squads deployable from phase B.
  
• Armored support is rather limited, with only a single card of T-34/76 tanks available in phase B.
  
• While the on-map artillery availability is very light, the battlegroup can count on many heavy off-map artillery units, including MLRS volley from BKA river boats and even 180mm coastal guns.
  
• The Soviet Black Fleet Navy’s Air Force provides some unique planes, including rather interesting reconnaissance fighters, such as the Spitfire Mk. VB or the old MiG-3-34. Quite a few planes can be used as tank busters or are equipped for carpet bombing or napalm runs.
  

[h3]Next Week[/h3]

We are very curious to hear what you think of these new divisions. Don’t forget to take a peek at our
Steam forums and Eugen forums, or our social channels (Facebook and Twitter). You can also join us on our Discord server or Reddit page.

The last two new divisions of Steel Division 2: Black Sunday will be showcased next week!

Until then!

Good day to you!

Welcome back to another Steel Division 2 Versus blog post. Today’s focus will be Steel Division 2: Black Sunday, the new History DLC set to release in the not-too-distant future!

If you missed our announcement last week, don’t hesitate to read all the juicy bits of our reveal here. The “Black Sunday” History DLC transports the action to the southern flank of the Eastern Front, where at the tail-end of August 1944, the Soviets are ready to launch their strategic Jassy-Kichinev operation into Romania.

We will look at each of the six divisions shipping with the latest History DLC, with this new expansion bringing over 150 new units. In today’s Versus post, two mechanized divisions from both sides take center stage: the Romanian “Greater Romania” 1 Blindata (1st Armored Division) goes up against the Red Army’s 7-y Mekh. Korpus (7th Mechanized Corps).

[h3]The “Greater Romania” 1 Blindata[/h3]

All three Axis divisions in Steel Division 2: Black Sunday will be Romanian, and as such, feature unique weapons and vehicles that were historically used by this Eastern European Axis ally, including indigenous designs. Not only that, but all Romanian troops will also feature a full voice-over. Who knows: maybe you’ll get fluent in typical Romanian curses at the end of it!

The “Greater Romania” 1 Blindata was arguably the premier fighting force of Romania, but in direct comparison with the best the Third Reich had to offer, the Romanian Army’s sole armored division was closer in line with a Panzergrenadier division. By the summer of 1944, the 1 Blindata had already been destroyed and reconstituted several times over while fighting on the Eastern Front. In the latest reorganization, this division found itself fielding mostly German armored vehicles, including the venerable Panzer IV and StuG III. Locally produced materiel such as the TACAM T-60 tank destroyer and the outstanding Resita 75mm AT gun can also be found with the 1 Blindata.




The 1 Blindata was the armored reserve of the Romanian 4th Army, finding itself on the western “Jassy” pincer of the Soviet operation. When the Red Army began its offensive in earnest, the 1 Blindata bravely counter-attacked the Soviet forces with the German Kampfgruppe Brausch (from the 20. Panzer) under its command, but to little avail. Despite suffering substantial losses, Romania’s armored division didn’t break, instead engaging into a fighting retreat for the next couple of confusing days, trying to cover as many friendly units as possible. The division surrendered to the Red Army later in August. Afterward, part of the 1 Blindata was interned in POW camps, while a number of its soldiers were used to form an armored detachment, fighting under Soviet command until the end of the war.

[h3]The 1 Blindata’s main features[/h3]

• The bulk of the division’s armored forces is made up of German vehicles, including the T.4 (Panzer IV H) and T.A. (StuG III G). A few elite German-commanded Panzer IV, survivors of the Bobruisk escape sent south to recover, can be deployed.
  
• Several light armored vehicles can also be found in its arsenal, such as the AB Horch (SdKfz. 222) and SdKfz. 250 and 251 half-tracks.
  
• An indigenous Romanian design is the small and cheap TACAM T-60 tank destroyer made of two separately captured Soviet pieces of equipment: an F-22 howitzer mated with a T-60 light tank.
  
• The Resita AC 75mm is an anti-tank gun combining all the best features of the German PaK 40 with the Soviet ZiS-3. Devastating penetration, accurate and is capable of delivering indirect fire.
  
• Both German and older French AA guns provide air defense, mostly smaller calibers such as the FAMO F3 half-track with 37mm gun, 25mm Hotchkiss gun or truck-mounted twin 13,2mm Hotchkiss .
  
• Air cover is provided by a wide variety of different planes, including “home-grown” IAR-81 fighters, German Stuka dive bombers, Me-109, Hs-129, the veteran Bf-110 and even Italian SM.79 bombers (built under license in Romania as the JRS-79B).
  
• The 1 Blindata might not be a flashy show-off division, but it has few real drawbacks, allowing it to be a balanced choice on the battlefield.
  

[h3]7-y Mekh. Korpus[/h3]

On the Allied side, we find the 7-y Mekh. Korpus (7th Mechanized Corps), one of the main mobile Red Army formations in the eastern pincer of the offensive (the Tiraspol sector). This corps broke through the Romanian defensive lines and contributed significantly to closing the encirclement around the German 6th Army which occupied the central part of the Romanian defensive lines.




Made up of a mix of recruits and Stalingrad veterans, this formation supported the main attack of the 3rd Ukrainian Front on the west bank of the Dniester. After continuing through Romania, the 7-y Mekh. Korpus kept fighting until the end of the war, taking part in the Budapest Offensive and the liberation of Prague, before being ordered east where it fought Japanese forces during the Soviet invasion of Manchuria. Talk about a journey!

[h3]The 7-y Mekh. Korpus’ fighting strengths[/h3]

• While similar to the 3-y Gv. Mekh. Korpus in the infantry it fields, this new formation doesn’t feature any partisan troops.
  
• The corps’ armored component is mostly made-up of T-34/76s tanks.
  
• The last surviving SU-76i in service with the Red Army can be found with this division. One of the few cases of captured German vehicles (in this case either StuG III or Panzer III mounting a Soviet 76,2mm gun casemate-style) which was actually loved by the Soviet soldiers.
  
• The few remaining British lend-lease Matildas in the southern part of the Eastern Front are attached to this formation.
  
• Lots of heavy support, in the form of SU-122, SU-152, and ISU-122S self-propelled guns.
  
• The Air tab is mostly made up of twin-engined Pe-2 variants, with P-40N fighters providing top cover.
  
• 7-y Mekh. Korpus features a balanced mix of medium tanks and regular infantry, but it can count on heavy support vehicles to bring some massive firepower to bear.
  

[h3]Steel Division 2’s History Pass[/h3]

To recap: Steel Division 2: Black Sunday will feature six new divisions, two Army General campaigns, two new Aces, new Camouflage skins, and 150 new units, and much more exciting new stuff.

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

As you might know, getting the awesome Steel Division 2’s History Pass grants you access to all three History DLCs for Steel Division 2. The History Pass includes the “Black Sunday” expansion, as well as the The Fate of Finland expansion and The Death on the Vistula expansion.

[h3]Next Week[/h3]

Let us know what you think! You can do this on our
Steam forums and Eugen forums, or our social channels (Facebook and Twitter). You can also join us on our Discord server or Reddit page. Discord especially is a great place to find other Steel Division 2 players to kick off an online or coop match!

Next week, we’ll keep on exploring a new set of divisions, which will appear with Steel Division 2: Black Sunday.


Until then, see you on the battlefield, commander!

Hello Commanders!

Hot on the heels of the popular Tribute to D-Day Pack and the new online Army General Versus mode we have prepared another big day for you.

After last week’s tease, we can finally unveil all the juicy details of our next History DLC. We couldn’t fool you for much longer. Some of you already shrewdly guessed that Steel Division 2’s new battlefields would be on the southern flank of the Eastern Front.

That’s right: the new Steel Division 2 History DLC is named Black Sunday and will focus on the chaotic battles on Romania’s frontiers in the summer of 1944.




[h3]Steel Division 2: Black Sunday features [/h3]

• 6 new divisions, three on each side (all Axis divisions will be Romanian),
  
• 2 Army General campaigns,
  
• 2 new Aces,
  
• 15 new Camouflage skins,
  
• 150 new units,
  
• new infantry and weapon models,
  
• full voice-over
  
• and much more exciting new stuff.
  

Keep on reading to find out more!



Steel Division 2: Black Sunday transports the action to Romania, with the new expansion taking place at the start of the strategic Soviet Jassy-Kichinev operation in late August 1944. Let’s talk history for a bit.





While the Third Reich was pulling out formations all along the Eastern Front to reinforce its forces primed for battle near the Vistula river (one of the last, yet short-lived, local Axis victories at the gates of Warsaw) the Soviet Stavka was already planning its next move.

The new strategic offensive would take advantage of the weakened southern Romanian front, where once-powerful armored reserves had been steadily siphoned off to join the fight up north. Here, poised on the borders of one of Hitler’s remaining Axis allies, the Soviets were plotting a rerun of the Stalingrad campaign.

Using a two-pronged attack against Romanian troops on each flank of the German 6th Army, the Soviets planned to trap the reformed Wehrmacht formation between the 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian Front. To achieve this, the Red Army needs to push through mainly Romanian divisions near the defensive strongpoints in the Jassy and Tiraspol sectors.

Stalin had an overarching aim to this strategic offensive as well: to knock Romania out of the war. This Eastern European country had been an Axis ally since 1941, and with popular support crumbling after many years of hard fighting on the Eastern Front, it was now on the cusp of switching sides to the Allies.

The date is August 20th, 1944, and the summer has been hot and long. Black Sunday, the worst day in terms of Wehrmacht casualties, is about to occur.



We promised the proud owners of Steel Division 2 General Deluxe and Total Conflict Edition’s three Army General campaigns, but we decided to go crazy and give you four instead!





Steel Division 2: Black Sunday will feature two Army General campaigns, one for each of the Soviet pincers of the Jassy-Kichinev offensive. As a matter of fact, the whole theatre would not fit on a single Army General map - not even our largest one. Instead of Historical Battles, we put more emphasis on Army General mode, splitting up the historical operation into two separate campaigns, which will show both strategic “arms” in northwestern Romania with the highest amount of detail.

The Jassy campaign will pit the 2nd Ukrainian Front against the Romanian 4th Army and part of the German 8th Army. This operation features some major formations such as the Soviet 5th Guards, the 18th and 23rd Tank Corps, the 5th Mechanized Corps and 5th Guards Cavalry Corps, versus the Romanian 1st Armored Division, 5th Motorized Cavalry Division, and remnants of the 20. Panzerdivision. Yes, the same one already featured and nearly destroyed in Bobruisk, was afterward sent to Romania for rest and refit.

The Tiraspol campaign features the Soviet 3rd Ukrainian Front versus the Romanian-German Armeegruppe Dumitrescu. The Soviet 4th Guards and 7th Mechanized Corps, a special-purpose Naval Group Bakhtin, square up against Romanian infantry and mountain divisions, supported by the Romanian 1st Motorized Cavalry Division and German 13. Panzerdivision.







The “Black Sunday” DLC will feature six new divisions in total: three on the Axis side, all of which will be Romanian, and three on the Allied side. This means that the promised total of 12 divisions will actually reach 16 with the new DLC’s divisions!

As mentioned, the new History DLC will bring over 150 new units, including 21 brand-new models and 22 major variants. Not only that, there will be 15 new alternative camouflage skins to select for a number of Steel Division 2, as well as two new Aces. Of course, you’ll also find new Romanian infantry models, new weapon models, with all soldiers fully voiced.





While the new Tribute to D-Day reintroduced airborne divisions to Steel Division 2, “Black Sunday” will also give you a taste of true Eastern Front paratroopers with the introduction of Soviet VDV (now you realize how much you missed this song!).

[h3]The Axis[/h3]

• 1 Blindata "România Mare" - Destroyed and reconstituted many times over, the 1st Romanian Armored division was the only one of its kind in the Romanian Armed Forces.
  
• 4 Munte - Elite soldiers, the 4th Mountain Division had been bloodied many times in the vicious fighting on the Eastern Front. The formation’s veteran infantry carries the “Raider” trait.
  
• 5 Cavalerie Mot. - halfway mechanized, this formation features a variety of light armored recon vehicles.
  

[h3]The Allies[/h3]

• Morsk. Gruppa Bakhtina - Formed out of Black Sea naval brigades and infantry troops from the 46th Army.
  
• 7-y Mekh. Korpus - A formation made up of a mix of green recruits and Stalingrad veterans.
  
• 3-ya VDV - This elite division is formed of battle-hardened paratroopers with the “Raider” trait, supported by assault pioneers and a tank brigade.
  

We are still hard at work on Steel Division 2: Black Sunday, so we are not ready (yet) to give you an exact launch date. Keep your ear to the ground!

As you might know, getting Steel Division 2’s History Pass grants you access to all three History DLCs for the game. The History Pass includes today’s “Black Sunday” expansion, as well as the The Fate of Finland expansion and The Death on the Vistula expansion.

Let us know what you think! You can do this on our
Steam forums and Eugen forums, or our social channels (Facebook and Twitter). You can also join us on our Discord server or Reddit page. Discord especially is a great place to find other Steel Division 2 players to kick off an online or coop match!

We will look at some exciting new features of Steel Division 2: Black Sunday in more detail in the near future.

Until then, see you on the battlefield, commander!

Hello!

Today is the day! We have released the new “Tribute to D-Day” Pack for Steel Division 2 in celebration of the 76th anniversary of D-Day and the Allied invasion of France.

Like every year, we want to do something special commemorating the official start of Operation Overlord. This time, it’s a new DLC! With the “Tribute to D-Day” Pack you’ll find six original Steel Division: Normandy 44 divisions, two new Aces, and a host of new units brought over to Steel Division 2’s Eastern Front.

If you haven’t, check out the “Tribute to D-Day” Pack store page and get in on the action!

There is more! Drumroll maestro…

Outsmart and outfight a human opponent in Army General with the latest free Reinforcement Pack - available now! "RP # 9 Army General Versus" brings 1v1 online battles to the turn-based strategic campaign mode for Steel Division 2. Go head-to-head against the most cunning of foes, and see who rules the battlefields of the Eastern Front.



[h2]What does Tribute to D-Day offer?[/h2]

The new “Tribute to D-Day” Pack expands your Steel Division 2 experience by giving you the chance to command six new divisions, three for both the Axis and Allies. Each of the featured divisions has been updated to reflect the latest gameplay mechanics and features found in Steel Division 2. This includes the option to choose your own economy rate or deploy units such as Commanders, Artillery Observers, or Military Police.

Which divisions can you play with the new “Tribute to D-Day” Pack?

• The versatile 2nd “Indianhead” Infantry Division. The Americans bring units such as U.S. Rangers, fan-favorite M18 Hellcat tank destroyer, and the truck-based Xylophone multiple rocket-launcher.
  
• The unassuming but hard-hitting 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen.” This Axis formation fields a wide array of units, including do-or-die Italian SS-Legionari.
  
• The daring “Red Devils” of the 6th British Airborne Division. This Allied division sees the inclusion of the brand-new Belgian Brigade Piron and units such as the Grenadiers-Volt rifle squads, Glider Crews as combat-deployable troops and Tetrarch light tanks.
  
• The veteran “Green Devils” of the 3.Fallschirmjäger-Division. This experienced formation deploys units such as Fs-Sturmjäger, LG 42 recoilless 105mm gun, Puppchen light AT rocket-launcher and the AB41 armored car.
  
• The brave Free Poles of the 1 Dywizja Pancerna (1st Polish Armored Division). This Allied formation brings units, including a variety of Cromwell tanks, the Crusader Mk.2B, and Firefly Ic.
  
• The fanatical Hitler Youth of 12. SS-Panzerdivision “Hitlerjugend”. This powerful formation fields a host of hard-hitting vehicles and units, such as the Panther G, Tiger E, the Mobelwagen, Wurfrahmen rocket artillery, “Beute” Firefly tanks and even a captured Dingo armored car.
  

[h2]New toys, new mechanics[/h2]



As we mentioned above, you won’t only find several new units, but also two new Aces and some new unit mechanics and traits with the updated “Tribute to D-Day” divisions. Such as, you might ask?

• New units: The M18 Hellcat tank destroyer, Cromwell cruiser tank, Tetrarch light tank
  Xylophone rocket launcher, T30 HMC, M4A1 Rhino, Crusader AA Mk, Centaur IV,
  Panzer L6(i), BEF.SPW 202(e), “Beute” Firefly. Elite Infantry units, including Fallschirmjägers, U.S. Rangers, British Airborne, SS-Legionari.
  
• New unit trait: The indoctrinated soldiers of the 12. SS carry the “Fanatical” trait, meaning that these soldiers never surrender and fight to the death!
  
• Two new Aces: Francis “Gabby” Gabreski (P-47D-25 in fighter mode) found with the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division. Michael Wittman (Tiger E Führer) featured with the 12. SS-Panzer.
  

[h2]Dive deep into each new division[/h2]


You want to know even more? Lucky you! We have spent some time in recent weeks to highlight each formation in detail. Be sure to check out the corresponding themed blog posts!

• Mechanized Warfare to the max! Read all about the 2nd “Indianhead” Infantry Division versus the 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division in this post here.
  
• Death from above! The combat-hardened “devil paratroopers” of two airborne divisions are waiting for your command. Glean all the details of the 6th British “Red Devils” Airborne versus the 3.Fallschirmjäger-Division in this blog post here.
• Heavy-weight armored brawlers! These divisions don’t hold back their punches. Discover the power of the 1 Dywizja Pancerna versus the 12. SS-Panzerdivision “Hitlerjugend” in this blog post here.
  

[h2]Get playing now! [/h2]


There you have it: all the juicy bits of why you should get going and start playing Steel Division 2 today!

We’d love to hear what you think of the “Tribute to D-Day” Pack. Don’t hesitate to check out our Steam forums and Eugen forums, or our social channels (Facebook and Twitter). You can also join us on our Discord server or Reddit page.

See you on the battlefield, commander!

An early summer Steel Division 2 Roadmap ahead of Tribute to D-Day Launch this Saturday, 6th of June!”

Good day to you, commander!

We hope you are doing well. Today, we are taking a short break to give you some details on several Steel Division 2 updates and features we are working on. From improvements to the Army General mode to an upgrade to infantry combat - you might find some interesting tidbits in this early summer roadmap if you keep on reading!

We are hard at work at launching the newest Steel Division 2 Pack: Tribute to D-Day this coming Saturday, the 6th of June. This expansion brings 6 fan-favorite divisions from Steel Division: Normandy 44 to Steel Division 2, and will include several original units, such as the M18 Hellcat and “Beute” Firefly. Read all about the divisions, new Aces, and units in the following posts: the Elite Airborne Divisions, the Mechanized Infantry Divisions, the Armored Divisions.


[h3]A quick primer before we start[/h3]

Before we continue: we are rolling out a small update for a release tomorrow, Friday. Due to popular demand, we have changed two of our 10v10 servers to run Destruction mode. We have also created an “Eastern Front-only” 10v10 server. On a later date, we’ll also introduce new 10v10 Tactical servers on 3v3 maps.

We always check the forums or Discord to see how we can improve Steel Division 2 based on your feedback and suggestions. The following features reflect this.

Please note that we don’t have a precise date for when we will be able to implement many of the ideas into the game. Consider them all to be very much work in progress!

[h3]Improved infantry Combat[/h3]

One of the major projects currently in the pipeline is to improve Steel Division 2’s infantry combat. We want to find a way to make this type of fighting more accessible and clearer to understand. One way to do this is to overhaul how infantry weapons work. The goal here is to make individual weapons, such as a soldier’s rifle or SMG, more deadly and have the squad weapons such as machine guns or automatic rifles inflict more stress on the battlefield.

We are still trying to fit all the pieces together - more later!

[h3]Armored Warfare[/h3]

We are not entirely satisfied with the current tank-on-tank combat or AT versus tank actions. We want to step away from inconclusive engagements between tanks at extreme ranges, each unit exchanging fire with one another without any discernible results. We know that we can improve this, making it less sterile and more fun.

That’s why we are also thinking about introducing (reintroducing for you Wargame veterans out there) a wider array of gun ranges. This means that certain gun pieces will have less range. Sure, you might think decreasing the ranges would be a nerf, but the upshot would be that a gun’s performance will become more efficient.

You would have to get closer to engage the enemy, but by doing so, your chances to destroy an enemy unit will significantly increase.

[h3]Updating Army General[/h3]

Our single-player strategic Army General campaigns are set to receive some modifications in the near future. You might have noticed this already with our DLC campaigns, but we have gradually switched from a “generic battalion strength” depiction of each counter to a more realistic, asymmetrical representation of each pawn. Each battalion on the map will reflect better their historical counterpart; for Axis units this means “battalion strength” and for the Allied units it means “regimental strength.”

In direct comparison, a Soviet pawn will contain more troops and units than its German counterpart. This allows us to deploy more powerful Soviet armies directly on the map and not rely on overstretched lists of reinforcements. This allows for more interesting tactical battle resolutions. To obtain the same results for Axis formations, we decided to merge independent field artillery with combat battalions, giving these latter formations their own organic artillery support and reducing the number of stray artillery guns represented on the strategic map.

We are hard at work updating each side’s composition in the base game’s Army General mode: expect the Berezina, Orsha, Bobruisk, and Baranovichi campaigns to be upgraded soon!

[h3]Improving Army General Combat[/h3]

Continuing with Army General, we are thinking about improving the Army General combat experience by allowing, in some instances, the ability to fight with more than three battalions on each side.

There is more. We are also studying if we should give some battalion types a more dedicated, pronounced role on the battlefield. We are looking at how best to do this, but imagine that a Wehrmacht Pioneer battalion in combat might be able to remove an opposing unit’s entrenchment buff. We feel that it would set battalions apart from each other, granting a player more viable choices when selecting a formation for combat.

We can’t promise all units getting a special ability, but we are curious to hear what you think.

[h3]A big tease![/h3]

We left the best for last. Yes, that’s right, we are talking about the new History DLC! We see the rumors swirling around, some of them true, some of them decisively… not. Without giving away too much: while we had promised just one, the new DLC will actually feature two full Army General campaigns, a new nation with three new divisions, including a complete voice-over set, and three new Soviet divisions.

We are also working on a way to allow you to mod DLC units. It is one of the most recurring requests from the community, and we are happy to oblige!

That’s it, you won’t be able to twist our arms for anything more. Just keep an eye out and who knows, maybe in next week’s post, you’ll get to know even more!

[h3]That’s it for this week![/h3]

One last little bit before we leave you to digest all the news: we are still working on the new Urban Maps (as we talked about in this blog post here). Right now, there is not much more news to report. When we have some more, we’ll keep you informed!

Don’t hesitate to check out our Steam forums and Eugen forums, or our social channels (Facebook and Twitter). You can also join us on our Discord server or Reddit page.

See you on the battlefield, commander!