Relic's Eastern Front sequel launched on 25 June 2013 with two armies and grew to five through standalone expansions. The base game ships the Soviet Red Army and the Wehrmacht Ostheer, The Western Front Armies adds US Forces and Oberkommando West, and The British Forces adds UKF. TrueSight line of sight, a three tier cover system and strict hard counters make it a slower, more deliberate real time strategy game than its unit counts suggest.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soviet Red Army | A | Balanced | Conscripts | Yes |
| Wehrmacht Ostheer | A | Balanced | MG42 heavy machine gun team | Yes |
| US Forces | A | Balanced | Panzer IV | Yes |
| Oberkommando West | A | Balanced | M36 Jackson tank destroyer | Yes |
| British Forces | A | Balanced | Churchill infantry tank | Yes |
New player? Start with Wehrmacht Ostheer. See our beginner's guide for why.
Soviet Red Army
Soviet Red Army is a strong option in Company of Heroes 2.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Conscripts |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | TrueSight line of sight |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Conscripts
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Langreskaya to learn Soviet Red Army-specific mechanics
- Focus on TrueSight line of sight. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Conscripts as your first major upgrade
- See our full Soviet Red Army build guide for the optimal gear progression
Wehrmacht Ostheer
Wehrmacht Ostheer is a strong option in Company of Heroes 2.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | MG42 heavy machine gun team |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Three tier cover system |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with MG42 heavy machine gun team
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Langreskaya to learn Wehrmacht Ostheer-specific mechanics
- Focus on Three tier cover system. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize MG42 heavy machine gun team as your first major upgrade
- See our full Wehrmacht Ostheer build guide for the optimal gear progression
US Forces
US Forces is a strong option in Company of Heroes 2.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Panzer IV |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Commander loadout of three doctrines |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Panzer IV
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Langreskaya to learn US Forces-specific mechanics
- Focus on Commander loadout of three doctrines. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Panzer IV as your first major upgrade
- See our full US Forces build guide for the optimal gear progression
Oberkommando West
Oberkommando West is a strong option in Company of Heroes 2.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | M36 Jackson tank destroyer |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Squad retreat, reinforcement and veterancy |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with M36 Jackson tank destroyer
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Langreskaya to learn Oberkommando West-specific mechanics
- Focus on Squad retreat, reinforcement and veterancy. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize M36 Jackson tank destroyer as your first major upgrade
- See our full Oberkommando West build guide for the optimal gear progression
British Forces
British Forces is a strong option in Company of Heroes 2.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Churchill infantry tank |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | ColdTech weather on winter maps |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Churchill infantry tank
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Langreskaya to learn British Forces-specific mechanics
- Focus on ColdTech weather on winter maps. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Churchill infantry tank as your first major upgrade
- See our full British Forces build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Wehrmacht Ostheer is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Soviet Red Army is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Conscripts for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
British Forces offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Oberkommando West shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Company of Heroes 2 Guides
- Company of Heroes 2 Company of Heroes 2 Overview
- Company of Heroes 2 Best Builds
- Company of Heroes 2 Tier List
- Company of Heroes 2 Walkthrough
- Company of Heroes 2 Beginner's Guide
- Company of Heroes 2 Tips & Tricks
- Company of Heroes 2 Weapons Guide
- Company of Heroes 2 Combat Guide
- Company of Heroes 2 Boss Guide
- Company of Heroes 2 Maps & Locations
- Company of Heroes 2 Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy Company of Heroes 2, check out these related guides:
- Sid Meier's Civilization V Classes Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Classes Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
- RimWorld Classes Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
