Every battlegroup, by faction
You choose one battlegroup during each match. Each has two branches of abilities and call-ins, unlocked with command points. Three per faction come with the base game and the other four come from battlegroup DLC packs. Opponents can use DLC battlegroups against you even if you don't own them.
U.S. Forces
| Battlegroup and branches | What it gives you | Comes with |
|---|---|---|
| AirborneAerial Support · Paradropped Infantry | Paratroopers dropped where you need them, plus airstrikes. | Base game |
| ArmoredEngineering Corp · Armored Doctrine | Faster, tougher vehicle production and better repairs to keep armor in the fight. | Base game |
| Special OperationsCombat Support · Combat Operations | Light vehicles, commandos, air support and raiding abilities. | Base game |
| Advanced InfantryInfantry Operations · Field Ordnance | Riflemen upgrade to Rangers with their own weapon drops; artillery beacons, the 105 mm M1 howitzer and a 155 mm strike. | Hammer & ShieldApr 2026 |
| Heavy WeaponsWeapons Teams · Cavalry Support | .50 cal teams, the Black Dragon howitzer battery, assault half-tracks, 3-inch anti-tank guns and the M26 Pershing. | Fire & SteelFeb 2025 |
| Italian PartisanUnderground Network · Insurgency Tactics | Partisans and saboteurs, tunnel networks, resource siphoning and underground demolitions. | Endure & DefyNov 2025 |
| Free FrenchMethodical Battle Doctrine · Defense in Depth | French Rifle Sections, concrete Bastions and Tourelle defenses to stall, then Railway Artillery and the Char B1 to break out. | Dare & DestroyMay 2026 |
Wehrmacht
| Battlegroup and branches | What it gives you | Comes with |
|---|---|---|
| BreakthroughAssault Forces · Armored Offensive | Assault infantry up front while your economy builds toward heavy armor. | Base game |
| LuftwaffeAir-to-Ground Support · Field Support | Airborne infantry and heavy emplacements, with air support on call. | Base game |
| MechanizedMechanized Armor · Mechanized Support | Light vehicles, artillery and assault groups to crack the line before heavy tanks arrive. | Base game |
| Italian CoastalHeavy Fortifications · Coastal Forces | Bunkers, defensive upgrades, Coastal Reserves infantry and artillery. | Hammer & ShieldApr 2026 |
| TerrorTerror Tactics · Weapon Superiority | Field interrogations, the Stuka's Jericho Trumpet, V1 rocket strikes and the King Tiger. | Fire & SteelFeb 2025 |
| Last StandDesperate Battle · Defense in Depth | Improvised defenses, the Pantherturm, a Propaganda Tower and Panzerfaust rollouts. | Endure & DefyNov 2025 |
| Siege BreakerSiegeworks · Vanguard Tactics | Flame half-tracks and extra infantry weapons, then Siege Specialists and the Sturmtiger for fortified lines. | Dare & DestroyMay 2026 |
British Forces
| Battlegroup and branches | What it gives you | Comes with |
|---|---|---|
| Indian ArtilleryInfantry Assault · Artillery Support | Aggressive infantry backed by heavy artillery barrages. | Base game |
| Air and SeaRoyal Navy Support · Royal Air Force | Naval fire to pin the enemy while airborne Commandos land behind the lines. | Base game |
| Heavy ArmorHeavy Armor Support · Field Support and Logistics | Heavier tanks, and Sapper and crew upgrades to keep them running. | Base game |
| Australian DefenseLogistical Supremacy · Frontline Defenders | Australian Light Infantry, Bofors emplacements, the 17-pounder and the Archer tank destroyer. | Stealth & StrongholdMar 2025 |
| Canadian ShockShock Assault · Incendiary Weapons | Shock Sections that snowball as you take ground, flame weapons and the Churchill Crocodile. | Fire & SteelFeb 2025 |
| Polish CavalryArmy in Exile · Rocketry | Polish Lancer Sections, Polish-crewed Sherman Fireflies and Land Mattress rockets. Polish units do well against veteran enemies. | Endure & DefyNov 2025 |
| Special ServiceUngentlemanly Warfare · Reconnaissance-in-Force | Commandos, snipers and raiding vehicles, with Scorched Earth tactics to drain enemy resources. | Dare & DestroyMay 2026 |
Deutsches Afrikakorps
| Battlegroup and branches | What it gives you | Comes with |
|---|---|---|
| Armored SupportSupport and Airpower · Armored Warfare | Weapon upgrades, panzer call-ins and air support. | Base game |
| Italian Combined ArmsCombined Arms · Italian Armor | Bersaglieri and Italian tanks, with artillery and air support to fill gaps. | Base game |
| Italian InfantryField Engineering · Defensive Warfare | Guastatori, better defenses, light vehicles and artillery. | Base game |
| Battlefield EspionageInfiltration · Disruption | Concealment and resource theft; the 250/3 Funkpanzerwagen scouts and hides your forces. | Stealth & StrongholdMar 2025 |
| Panzerjäger KommandStalling Tactics · Tank Hunting | Obstacles to slow the enemy advance, then dedicated tank hunters. | Fire & SteelFeb 2025 |
| KriegsmarineOff-shore Support · Logistics Operations | Naval fire support, fortified positions and supply lines. | Endure & DefyNov 2025 |
| Elite ForcesBattlefield Dominance · Panzer Elite | Veteran infantry and vehicles led by the Command 8Rad, Ace Stuka squadrons and the Tiger Ace. | Dare & DestroyMay 2026 |
Picking one in a match
- Look at the map first. Big open maps favor mobile and artillery battlegroups. Tight urban maps favor defensive and infantry ones.
- Cover what your core army lacks. If your faction's early anti-tank is thin, a battlegroup with strong AT call-ins is worth more than one that doubles down on infantry.
- Scout before you choose. Seeing what your opponent is building often points to the better pick.
Battlegroup names and branches match the game data as of patch 2.5.3 (via the coh3stats explorer). DLC contents are from Relic's Steam store pages. Checked September 26, 2026.