Company of Heroes 3: Fire & Steel expanded the tactical possibilities of the World War II strategy game when it launched on PC on 25 February, 2025. Developed and published by Relic Entertainment, the DLC focuses entirely on adding new Battlegroups for multiplayer, co-op and skirmish matches against AI opponents. Rather than introducing a traditional story campaign or additional factions, Fire & Steel deepens the battlefield variety already present in Company of Heroes 3 by giving each existing army a powerful new tactical doctrine built around specialised units, support abilities and heavy equipment. The result is an expansion aimed squarely at players who enjoy experimenting with battlefield strategies, adapting to different combat scenarios and discovering new ways to control territory through combined arms warfare.

The United States Forces receive the Heavy Weapons Battlegroup, a doctrine centred around battlefield control through suppression, defensive firepower and heavy armour support. Machine gun teams, anti-tank guns and support half-tracks allow players to establish strong defensive positions before transitioning into devastating late-game assaults spearheaded by the M26 Pershing heavy tank. The inclusion of the Black Dragon howitzer battery gives the battlegroup additional long-range pressure, rewarding players who prefer methodical advances backed by overwhelming artillery support. This setup creates a distinctly slower and more deliberate playstyle compared to more mobile US strategies, encouraging players to lock down key sections of the map before launching a decisive push. The combination of durable support weapons and armoured reinforcements fits naturally within the wider Company of Heroes formula while still offering a noticeably different tactical identity.

For Wehrmacht players, the Terror Battlegroup leans heavily into psychological warfare, suppression and destructive late-game firepower. Inspired by intimidation tactics and battlefield disruption, the doctrine introduces abilities such as field interrogations, the infamous Jericho Trumpet effect tied to Stuka attacks and devastating V1 rocket strikes. The focus is on breaking enemy momentum and forcing opposing players into reactive decisions through constant pressure and area denial. Heavy weapons and elite infantry support eventually culminate in the arrival of the King Tiger heavy tank, one of the most feared armoured vehicles represented within the game. The battlegroup’s design reflects the faction’s traditional strengths of disciplined infantry, defensive firepower and punishing counterattacks while also adding more aggressive tactical tools for players who enjoy applying relentless battlefield pressure.

The British Forces gain the Canadian Shock Battlegroup, which emphasises aggressive territorial control and incendiary warfare. Rather than sitting back defensively, this doctrine rewards momentum and constant battlefield movement through assault-focused infantry and area-clearing weaponry. Canadian Shock Sections specialise in rapidly seizing ground and applying pressure to weakened enemy positions, while incendiary attacks help force defenders out of cover or deny access to critical sectors. The Churchill Crocodile heavy tank adds another layer of intimidation thanks to its flamethrower-equipped design, making it particularly effective during assaults on fortified positions. This battlegroup gives British players a more direct and aggressive style of play compared to some of the faction’s traditional defensive tendencies, creating additional flexibility during multiplayer matches and skirmishes.

The Afrikakorps Panzerjäger Kommand Battlegroup takes a different approach by focusing heavily on anti-armour warfare and battlefield control through defensive preparations. Minefields, roadblocks and fortified positions allow players to slow enemy advances and funnel opposing vehicles into deadly ambushes. Elite Tank Buster infantry and specialised anti-tank tactics support this defensive structure, creating a battlegroup designed to dismantle even the heaviest enemy armour through careful positioning and attritional warfare. The Elefant tank destroyer acts as the centrepiece of the doctrine, delivering devastating long-range anti-tank firepower capable of dominating open battlefields when properly protected. This battlegroup rewards patience and tactical planning, particularly for players who enjoy controlling the pace of engagements rather than relying on rapid assaults.

One of the strengths of Fire & Steel is how each battlegroup feels mechanically distinct without abandoning the core philosophy of Company of Heroes 3. Relic Entertainment has long built the series around combined arms tactics, positioning and resource management, and the DLC continues that tradition by encouraging players to specialise in different battlefield roles depending on their chosen doctrine. Rather than simply adding stronger units, the expansion introduces tactical identities that change how players approach map control, engagements and long-term planning. The Heavy Weapons Battlegroup rewards layered defensive lines, the Terror Battlegroup thrives on disruption, the Canadian Shock Battlegroup favours momentum and aggression, while the Panzerjäger Kommand doctrine excels through preparation and anti-armour dominance. That variety helps multiplayer matches remain unpredictable, particularly when players begin experimenting with different combinations of units and support abilities.

Visually and mechanically, Fire & Steel maintains the cinematic battlefield presentation that defines Company of Heroes 3. Explosions, collapsing buildings and heavy armour engagements continue to provide dramatic large-scale battles, while the new battlegroups increase the frequency of intense frontline clashes and artillery exchanges. The addition of specialised tanks such as the Pershing, King Tiger, Churchill Crocodile and Elefant also gives the DLC a strong historical flavour for players interested in iconic World War II vehicles. Although Company of Heroes has always prioritised gameplay balance over strict simulation, the units still retain recognisable battlefield roles and historical inspiration that help ground the action within the setting. Smaller details such as suppression effects, incendiary attacks and airstrike abilities also contribute to the sense of battlefield chaos that the series is known for.

For long-term players, Fire & Steel serves as a meaningful expansion because it broadens the strategic options available across all major factions rather than favouring a single army. Multiplayer and co-op communities benefit most from the DLC, as the new battlegroups encourage fresh tactics and counterplay opportunities without fundamentally changing the core structure of the game. The additional doctrines create more reasons to revisit skirmishes, test new approaches and adapt strategies depending on the battlefield situation. By focusing entirely on tactical depth and faction variety, Relic Entertainment delivers an expansion that strengthens the replayability of Company of Heroes 3 while staying true to the intense real-time strategy combat that has defined the series for years.

BUY COMPANY OF HEROES 3: FIRE & STEEL

THIS DLC REQUIRES THE BASE GAME – COMPANY OF HEROES 3