Fresh meat introduction

[MudBuddha]

Hello.

Since I'm new to this mod and forum I just wanted to say hello. I re-installed CoH last week after hearing of this mod. After hours of patching CoH:OF I finally was able to play Eastern Front and got my ass severely crushed the first couple of rounds. So I joined this forum for tips, hints and experiences.

Did I by any chance miss an in-game tutorial option (for the mod, not the game itself) or is it really just a case of "jump in there and see what happens"?

Thanks.

[wordsmith]

Lol welcome man!

You think the Soviets got any tutorial when Germany invade them? Get smashed in combat several times and learn it hard way like Soviets did.

However, if you browse this forum you could check the Strategy & Tactics section for some advice. There is nice guide made by GodlikeDennis, you can start with reading it:
GodlikeDennis' In-depth guide to the soviet vehicle rush

[Cranialwizard]

Hey, it's cranialwizard.

Just a few tips about the Soviets:

• Key Game Factors, like Retreat and Re-Crew, can't be used, so use your ZIS-2 and Mortars Wisely.
• Soviet Vehicles are quite fast, like the T-34. They are a excellent counter to StuGs because of their pure speed, and can circle around them easily. I've also seen someone use T-70s like that.
• 95% of your unit upgrades are global, and come from the upgrade center, so be careful which ones to choose, I would experiment until later. PRTD Tank Hunters is a MUST if you want Anti-Tank infantry, they are very good at tackling StuGs and Pumas, and good at emplacements.
• Any Strategy you had with the other factions most likely will NOT work with the Soviet faction, for or against.
• Soviets can not escape suppression, that's why the Command Squad is so valuable, because they can break suppression.
• Notice that while Conscripts are cheap, they only have 4 rifles,(Excluding NKVD)So make sure you switch to Strelky when you can afford it.
• Most units can not camouflage, but instead "Ambush" where they need cover to hide, also not moving.
• Guards are immune to suppression entirely, and are like super-elite Strelky.
• Doctines are dependent on what kind of player you are. If you do not play defensively, Propoganda is not for you. If you arn't super-aggressive, Breakthrough isn't for you, etc.

Those are all I can think of off the top of my head.

• Soviets are a VERY fun faction to play with, so have fun!

[MudBuddha]

Thanks for the tips guys!

I remembered yesterday that you can indeed change the difficulty setting, that helped. Tried my first round with me and medium US vs. 1 easy and 1 medium Wehrmacht. I always like to play 4x4 so I have a computer teammate who takes the brunt of the enemy's assault while I figure everything out in the meantime. It was do-able up to a point where I got too comfortable. I had my T34 and a brand new IS2 and was just settling in halfway through the map when suddenly I got overrun by a couple of Stugs and a Panter and everything started to fall apart... Gonna try again this evening :-)

[Cranialwizard]

To experiment, try a 1 V 1 with an Easy, on a 2v2 map with major chokepoints like Vire River or Lyon. You can set up some wire and traps so that you can concentrate on unit usage.

In my opinion, Conscripts make good Trench and Building fillers, Strelky make good defensive and harassment troops, and guards are ideal for mid-late game assault and harassment.