Profile of StratoVarius

Together with two friends, we've been playing COH1 and COH2 for over 10 years. But after playing COH3 for several months, we're done. We're very mediocre (or even worse) players, not interested in learning all stats & stuff by head. We read the updates, we read some forum topics. We practice against AI. While playing, we're having a chat with each other and hoping for a fun, balanced game with friendly opponents who're in for a nice game. Always playing allies. With COH2 our winrate was approximately 45% in 3 vs 3.

Regarding COH3: After some training against AI (very hard & expert), we started playing against other players. Our winrate is 11% now against other players. We're done with the game. Of course we can invest many hours to master the details, but that's not worth it in our opinion. We read some forum-topics, tried new tactics, but always get beaten within minutes.

In our opinion COH3 is too punishing for the weaker players, compared to COH2. Once you're losing, you're done. Often the opponents were standing in front of our base after 10 - 15 minutes. With COH2 we really enjoyed the games where we managed to turn the tide. Sometimes with some luck on our side, sometimes by outclassing the opponent with adapted strategies. In COH3 we're just being slaughtered.

If too many newbies experience the same as we do, there won't be an influx of new players. I started playing COH2 again. Some toxic idiots, but overall I enjoy the game more.

Last Friday my friends an I played a very nice 3 vs 3 match, which we won in the end. Since my teammate complained the opponent on his side was very tough, constantly moving and the opponent managed to kill my friends army several times, I decided to save to replay and watch & learn.

During the replay I choose the point of view from the opponent I mentioned (follow camera, no fog of war). On several moments I noticed (to my surprise) the camera was focused on our armies near our base, on the other side of the map or approaching his side, while there was no recon-plane or Axis-army nearby. They did not use the IR-halftrack. Since the teammate complained he was caught by surprise several times I wondered:

Can you detect map-hacks by watching from the point of view from a player, when watching a replay?

I only play Soviet or UK, so I recognize your problem. I always start building penals, and in some cases a scoutcar (though the scoutcar seems to me more vulnerable since the winter patch, so I'm using is less and less).

Three penals combined with two flame engineers are a sweet combo too. Penals from distance, flames to close in. The penals with PTRS do great against vehicles too, and the engineers can lay some mines.

Only once the opponent strategy is more clear, I choose my commander. In case of continuous blobbing, it will be a commander with the 120mm mortar, or shocks or the commissar (with the grenade). If you can gather enough fuel, the T70 will help too or go for a "quick" katyusha.

Good luck.

I always play Allies. Mostly Brits, with a USA and Sovject friend in 3 vs 3.

Lately I notice more and more panzerschreck blobs supported by brummbars. Panzerschrecks will whipe the allied tanks. The brummbars will obliterate the MG's / infantry you need to counter the blob. The brummbars are able to damage your tanks too.

With a highly mobile enemy, countering the blob with rockets or mines is too much depending on luck imho in the "open" maps.

For Brits I was thinking of AVRE with fireflies, though it requires quite some fuel. Any thoughts on this?