Genre: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Simulator, Strategy, Indie
Steel Division 2
Battle of Dukla Pass Expansion Recap
Hello, hello!
It has been a long time coming, but in today’s DevBlog, we will finally be able to cast our eyes on the long-gestating upcoming Steel Division 2 expansion: Battle of Dukla Pass!
The expansion is slowly getting ready. As such, a great opportunity to revisit The Battle of Dukla Pass and lift the tip of the veil on the Army General campaign and divisions you’ll be able to play with in Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass.
Onwards!
Battle of Dukla Pass Expansion
First things first: what can you expect from the Steel Division 2: Battle of Dukla Pass in terms of content?
The expansion features 1 massive Army General campaign centered on the Battle of Dukla Pass (more historical info below).
Plus 6 new Divisions, playable in both single-player and multiplayer.
Dukla Pass Historical Context
The Battle of Dukla Pass, which anchors the expansion's new Army General campaign, was considered to have officially started on September 8th, 1944, when the Soviets assaulted the Laborec Highlands. It ended on October 28th, 1944, when the Slovak Uprising was crushed and the communist offensive was halted. The Battle of Dukla Pass officially concluded with the failure of the insurrection.
But let's rewind a bit. In March 1944, dissidents within the Axis Slovak Army, in league with the Allied Czechoslovakian government-in-exile in London, started planning for a military uprising. The rebels envisioned the Axis being kicked out of their country as the Soviets were getting closer and closer to lend support. Key to the entire operation was the Carpathian bottleneck, connecting Slovakia to Poland, known as the Dukla Pass. It would have been secured from the Germans and held long enough for the Red Army to pass through and advance straight into Slovakia.
However, in a cruel twist of fate, when the uprising was executed on August 29th, the Slovak Army’s chief of staff fled by plane to the safety of the Soviet Army, leaving the rebels with no strategic direction.
The Army General campaign
In Steel Division 2, the Battle of Dukla Pass will see the Soviets try to seize the Laborec Highland’s pass at Dukla, in order to reach the insurgents of the Slovak Uprising. But the national liberation campaign was sprung hastily, with the Germans and other Axis troops reacting swiftly to secure and hold the strategic pass.
As depicted in the Army General campaign, the battle will be fought in-depth along the Krosno-Dukla-Presnov-Kosice corridor. Combat flares around Krosno, with the Soviet 1st Ukrainian Front striking at the boundary between the German XI. SS-Gebirgs-Korps and XXIV. Panzerkorps. It is here that the Allied troops aim to brush aside the thin defensive line of German defenders.
The Axis will, in the beginning, have no immediate reserves. This means standing fast or performing an arduous fighting retreat where every meter will be used to stall for time. Later during the campaign, reinforcements will arrive from the south, as well as both sides of the corridor.
The Divisions
The Battle of Dukla Pass expansion will feature 6 new divisions, playable in Skirmish and multiplayer. Note that some of the following battlegroups are directly lifted from the Army General campaign itself, while others were either located very close by or deeply involved in the series of battles in other ways.
More detailed previews of each individual division will come soon!
From the Army General campaign We picked two divisions straight from the Army General battlefield:
The Axis 208. Infanterie-Division. Prior to the battle, the formation led by General Hans Pieckenbrock was considered by Soviet intelligence to be down to 60% strength. However, unbeknownst to the Allies, the remaining manpower was composed of the division’s best soldiers. Battle-hardened, the 208. ID found itself in the thickest of the fighting, being in charge of the Krosno sector. This put it right in the path of the Soviet offensive. Although the division’s right flank was mangled, with the Red Army achieving a narrow breakthrough, the German survivors regrouped in Krosno. The 208. Infanterie-Division would not yield, and when joined by elements of the 1. and 8. Panzerdivision, they even managed to go on the attack.
The Allied 1. Československý Armádní Sbor, or the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps of the Red Army. This formation was created from Soviet citizens of Czechoslovak origins, Czechoslovakian refugees from the Sudenten occupation, or prisoners of war. It grew from a simple battalion (the first foreign unit to fight alongside the Soviets) to a three-brigade (plus smaller units) army corps. Although considered small for an army corps, even by Soviet standards, the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps had an unusual organization, featuring its own tank regiment, penal company, plus one out of three brigades being completely formed out of paratroopers. Thrown into the meatgrinder at Dukla Pass, the corps had the painful honor of fighting its way into their homeland. The paratroopers were pulled out from the battle early to be airlifted to the help of the Slovak Uprising.
Fighting nearby Dukla Pass The next two divisions will not appear within the expansion’s Army General campaign, though they were fighting just outside of the scope of our map.
The Axis Hungarian 13. Gyaloghadosztály or 13th Infantry Division. This formation was positioned on the east side of the Axis defensive lines, next to the German 101. Jäger-Division. The Hungarians had to cover for the redeployment of the Jägers when they were sent into battle at Dukla Pass. The 13th Infantry Division received reinforcements from the Hungarian 1st and 2nd Mountain Brigade, plus some welcome armor support in both the form of the German StuG-Abteilung 1101 and Hungarian 1st Assault Gun Battalion.
The Soviet 242-ya Gornostrelkovaya division, or the 242nd Mountain Rifles Division. It comes as no surprise that this formation was specifically deployed to the Carpathian mountain ranges. While the 126-y L. Gornostrelkovy Korpus included one mountain brigade, the 242nd was one of the few Soviet divisions entirely specialized in mountain warfare. Although lightly equipped, this battlegroup will receive as an attachment a rather unusual unit (which we will reveal in due course).
Deeply involved in the campaign The final two divisions to be featured in the Army General campaign were located further afield, not fighting directly in the Laborec Highlands but beyond. They were both deeply involved in the greater scheme of things and the very reason the 1st Ukrainian Front surged forward.
The Axis 18. SS-Fr.-Panzergrenadier "Horst Wessel". This division's main mission was not to stop or delay the Soviet offensive but to crush its very objective: cracking down on the Slovak Uprising. The 18. SS, although a German division, was made up almost entirely of Hungarian Volksdeutschen. Over the course of the campaign, it amalgamated several smaller units of various origins, turning into a genuine Tower of Babel: from Slovak collaborationists, French SS, to German security troops, single tanks, and Ukrainian SS troops.
The Slovak National Uprising or SNP. Once proposed as a Nemesis choice, this formation makes - at last - its Steel Division 2 debut. Represented as a phase-locked battlegroup, with the rebellious regular Slovak army available in Phase A, partisans in B, and Czechoslovakian “red” paratroopers detached from 1. Československý Armádní Sbor arriving in C. There will also be a sprinkling of OSS and Jedburgh special forces, plus Western Allies and Soviet Air Forces flying top cover.
As mentioned before, we’ll return soon with more details and information on each division and campaign!
War Reserves’ New Units
In case you missed it, we recently released the free-for-all Reinforcement Pack #17 - War Reserves. The War Reservesfree DLC features 18 new units with 11 brand-new models.
The Axis receive a flurry of new additions to their arsenals. These include the German FLAKPANZER SFL IVc self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (26. Panzerdivision), the GRILLE Ausf. H assault gun (various German divisions), RSI’s CANNONE DA 75/46 C.A. M34 anti-aircraft gun (4a Alpina "Monterosa"), Hungarian TOLDI III light tank (1. Páncélos Hadosztály), the Finnish FOKKER C.X recon bomber bi-plane (Ryhmä Raappana), FORD V8 098T HUOLTO heavy supply (all Finnish divisions), and more.
Allied divisions also gain several new vehicles and units. Such as the American A-36A APACHE fighter-bomber (Task Force 45), British MUSTANG MK.1 recon fighter (15th (Scottish) Infantry Division) and TYPHOON MK.1B recon heavy fighter (Guards Armoured Division), the Soviet EMCHA RAZV. recon tank (29-y Tank Korpus) and Polish (LWP) WC-52 light truck (1 Piechoty "Tadeusza Kościuszki").
To get more insights into the addition to each side or nation, check out the following previews:
(AK) changed T-34/76's base availability from //8 to //16
(AK) changed T-70's base availability from //12 to /12/
(AK) changed BA-10's base availability from /5/10 to -/10/
(AK) changed CARRIER DOUSHKA's base availability from /6/9 to -/9/
(AK) changed 76mm support gun's base availability from /6/9 to -/9/
(29TK) changed M10's base availability from 5/10/15 to 5/10/-
(3VDV) added one card of 4// T-80
(TF45) added one card of C-only Italian PARTIGIANI
AXIS
standardized CSABA's availability at 6//
standardized HEGYIVADÁSZ's availability at 12/24/(32)
decreased Hungarian PANZER III M's price from 45 to 40, for lack of APCR
decreased SOTKA 76's price from 60 to 55
increased FAMO 88's Hp from 8 to 10
changed DOMOBRANI's base availability from 9/18/27 to 12/24/-
increased STOSSTRUPPEN (MP-44)'s base availability from 6/(12)/- to 8/(16)/-
increased LW-JÄGER (MG-34)'s base availability from 9/18/27 to 12/24/32
decreased R-1's price from 10 to 5
(Ski) added one card of SKIJÄGER
(Ski) added one card of BEWÄHRUNGS.
(3FJ) added one card of LG 40 105mm
(Hart) added one 4// card of FLAK 36 37mm
(Tettau) removed BMW.75 as transport option for the 60mm mortar
(52Sich) added one card of 5// VK 9.01
RP #17 - War Reserves Coming Soon
Hello, hello!
Glorious news: the free Reinforcement Pack #17 - War Reserves will release next week!
We are in the very final stretch of getting the update out of the door. Not a specific date… but it is close.
War Reserves In Brief
RP #17 - War Reserves updates several Steel Division 2 units across the base game and its various expansions and Nemesis DLCs. In total, there will be 15 to 20 new units, including a dozen brand-new 3D models. The freeReinforcement Pack #17 - War Reserves is free to all owners of Steel Division 2
War Reserves’ New Units
What can you expect from RP #17 - War Reserves?
The Axis receive a flurry of new additions to their arsenals. These include the German FLAKPANZER SFL IVc self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (26. Panzerdivision), the GRILLE Ausf. H assault gun (various German divisions), RSI’s CANNONE DA 75/46 C.A. M34 anti-aircraft gun (4a Alpina "Monterosa"), Hungarian TOLDI III light tank (1. Páncélos Hadosztály), the Finnish FOKKER C.X recon bomber bi-plane (Ryhmä Raappana), FORD V8 098T HUOLTO heavy supply (all Finnish divisions), and more.
Allied divisions also gain several new vehicles and units. Such as the American A-36A APACHE fighter-bomber (Task Force 45), British MUSTANG MK.1 recon fighter (15th (Scottish) Infantry Division) and TYPHOON MK.1B recon heavy fighter (Guards Armoured Division), the Soviet EMCHA RAZV. recon tank (29-y Tank Korpus) and Polish (LWP) WC-52 light truck (1 Piechoty "Tadeusza Kościuszki").
To get more insights into the addition to each side or nation, check out the following previews:
That’s all. We’ll be back soon with the actual launch of RP #17 - War Reserves.
Make sure to join the Steel Division 2 community on our Steam forums. The latest Steel Division 2 news can also be encountered on our Instagram.
Looking for an online game? Visit the Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!
See you on the battlefield!
RP #17 - War Reserves - Units Reveal #4
Hello commanders,
We are back with the last installment of the Reinforcement Pack #17 - War Reserves previews.
Today’s spotlight will be swung on the Soviet Union and its allies.
To glory!
War Reserves In Brief
RP #17 - War Reserves is the direct consequence of Eugen designers finding extra time to update several Steel Division 2 units across the base game and its various expansions and Nemesis DLCs. In total, there will be 15 to 20 new units, including a dozen brand-new 3D models. The freeReinforcement Pack #17 - War Reserves is in active development and shouldn’t take too long to release.
Soviet Union
Let’s look at the units of the Soviet Union and its allies.
The first unit is not an addition, but a replacement. It corrects a long overdue mistake: the Soviet M5L (M5 Stuart), which only deployed into the Red Army in two models. Both of these were tested… and rejected. Instead, the more numerous variant used in the Soviet Union was the M3L (M3A1 Stuart).
The M3L will replace the M5L in both the 184-ya Strelkovaya Div and Podv. Gruppa Tyurina. These are base game divisions.
The T-80 RAZVEDKA is next. Not the mighty Cold War T-80, but the latest upgrade in the World War 2-era light tank series of the T-60 and T-70. The T-80s' development as a more advanced offshoot of the T-70 with a two-man turret happened too late in the war. By this time, light tanks had mostly become obsolete, and production was halted in the second half of 1943. The handful of T-80s that were produced saw action mainly on the Romanian front.
The T-80 RAZVEDKA will be added as a recon tank to the 3-ya Gv. VDV Div from the Steel Division 2: Black Sunday expansion.
The next one is not a new unit but an existing vehicle cast in a new role: the EMCHA RAZVEDKA. This is a recon M4A2 Sherman equipped with a radio as part of the Allied lend-lease effort to the USSR.
The EMCHA RAZVEDKA will replace the Valentine recon tank in the 29-y Tankovy Korpus. This is a division from the base game.
The final updated Soviet unit is the additional of a new, heavier loadout to an existing plane: the La-5FN with a new payload of 2x 100kg bombs.
Foreign corps in the Red Army will also receive some existing (from other parts of the Red Army) but missing (in their own arsenal) equipment.
The Estionian 7. Eesti Laskurdiviis will receive its absent M3A1 half-track for the TANKODESANTNIKI squads. This division is featured in Steel Division 2: Burning Baltics.
The Polish the 1 Dywizja Piechoty "Tadeusza Kościuszki" from Steel Divison 2: Death on the Vistula will get its missing WC-52 light truck. A small addition, but it will help add some speed to the deployment of several light squads and guns.
Lastly, there are several more new units in the pipeline. Note: these won’t be delivered with RP#17 - War Reserves. We have only discovered them recently, and there was simply no time to squeeze them into the development cycle for this Reinforcement Pack. However, we didn’t want to ignore them.
Instead, these new units will be modeled alongside the upcoming Battle for Dukla Pass. When this expansion releases, the missing units will be retrofitted to War Reserves - and as such - made available to all for free.
The VALENTINE X features a slightly different turret compared to its predecessor (the IX) and included a coaxial machine gun. This means the tank, notorious for its lack of HE, will receive some self-defense anti-infantry capability. This unit will be added to the 3-y Gv. Mekh. Korpus (base game).
Finally, the YAK-9K was a not-so-lucky attempt at improving the YAK-9T's firepower by upgrading its 37mm nose gun to a 45mm one. The gun proved unreliable, and only two regiments fielded this variant. One of these formations supported the 39th Army during Operation Bagration. As such, the YAK-9K will be added to Podv. Gruppa Bezuglogo (base game).
See you on the battlefield
That’s all for the Reinforcement Pack #17 - War Reserves previews. We’ll be back soon with more Steel Division 2 news.
Make sure to join the Steel Division 2 community on our Steam forums. The latest Steel Division 2 news can also be encountered on our Instagram.
Looking for an online game? Visit the Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!
See you on the battlefield!
RP #17 - War Reserves - Units Reveal #3
Hello, hello!
We return with another glorious Reinforcement Pack #17 - War Reserves preview. Today’s the day a trio of Western Allies’ units will receive their (flying) spot in the sun.
Let’s roll.
War Reserves In Brief
What’s the deal with this upcoming free DLC? The Eugen designers have found extra time to update a host of Steel Division 2 units across the base game and its various expansions and Nemesis DLCs. In total, there will be 15 to 20 new units, including a dozen brand-new 3D models. The freeReinforcement Pack #17 - War Reserves is being worked on as we speak and shouldn’t take too long to release.
Western Allies
It’s the turn of the Western Allies. What can you expect?
The new A-36A APACHE fighter-bomber will make its mark. Under this designation hides a stopgap fighter-bomber variant of the famous P-51 fighter. This was done to keep the P-51 assembly lines open in the early months of 1942 due to the US Army Air Force already having received all the P-51 fighters ordered. Soon, with military budgets skyrocketing, the North American Aviation was able to turn back the factories to restart the P-51’s production. The A-36A APACHE differs from its air superiority fighter cousin by the shape of its nose, air intake, bomb racks, three-bladed propellers, and (especially so) its distinctive air dive brakes, used in ground strike missions. Although rendering good service in the Mediterranean campaign, including dogfights, by mid-1944, most of these fighter-bombers had been replaced by P-47s. The last of the A-36As in Europe operated in Italy's theatre of war.
The new A-36A APACHE will be assigned to the American Task Force 45, where it will replace the P-51B-10. This division is part of Tribue to the Liberation of Italy expansion.
On to new British plane variants of existing aircraft.
Part one is the MUSTANG Mk. I, which the United Kingdom received first. This is an earlier variant of the MUSTANG Mk.III. Using the same airframe as the A-36A APACHE above, except for the dive air brakes. One of the first fighter variants to spring forth from the restarted P-51 assembly lines in 1942, the P-51s (not even with A designation then) were delivered to the British armed forces as part of a lend-lease program. By mid-1944, that old yet trusty fighter had been restricted to air recon missions only.
The MUSTANG Mk. I will be assigned to the United Kingdom’s 15th Scottish Infantry Division. This division is featured in the Back to War expansion.
The second new variant is the TYPHOON FR Mk. IB, an unlucky attempt at creating a dedicated tactical recon fighter out of the heavy-weight TYPHOON. Its port inner cannons were removed, leaving it with four 20mm guns (out of six). These were replaced with forward-facing cameras. The plane was disliked by its pilots, who preferred the older MUSTANG I (see above). This recon aircraft only really served with one unit - the RAF’s 268 Squadron - doing duty over Normandy. By January 1945, all recon Typhoons had been phased out of service.
The TYPHOON FR Mk. IB will be featured in the British Guards Armoured Division. This division was featured in the Tribute to Normandy ‘44 expansion.
See you on the battlefield
That’s all for now. We’ll be back next week with another Reinforcement Pack #17 - War Reserves unit preview.
Make sure to join the Steel Division 2 community on our Steam forums. The latest Steel Division 2 news can also be encountered on our Instagram.
Looking for an online game? Visit the Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!
See you on the battlefield!
New RP #17 - War Reserves - Units Reveal #2
Hello, hello!
Welcome back to another Reinforcement Pack #17 - War Reserves preview. We continue with several new and updated units for Steel Division 2, shining a light on Finland’s armed forces this time.
Let’s go!
War Reserves In Brief
As explained in our previous DevBlog, the Eugen designers have found extra time to update a host of Steel Division 2 units across the base game and its various expansions and Nemesis DLCs. Specifically, these units needed some extra care, perhaps even being missed in our original research, while others had their 3D models fixed.
Most of these units needing updates were brought to our attention thanks to the diligent Steel Division 2 community. Keep in mind that not all divisions or nations will receive new units. In total, there will be 15 to 20 new units, including a dozen brand-new 3D models. The freeReinforcement Pack #17 - War Reserves is actively being worked on and shouldn’t take too long to release.
Finland
So, on to the Finnish armed forces. The Nordic country is the single nation with the biggest share of new War Reserve units and models.
First up is the new FOKKER C.X. Known as "Fritz-Kalie" (for the letter F.K.) in Finland, this Dutch-produced early war bi-plane was used in recon and close support roles well into 1944. By this time, about half of the 34 originally purchased by Finland at the start of World War II were still in service. In-game, this new unit will be used as a light recon bomber with two 50kg bombs plus a radio.
The FOKKER C.X will be added to Ryhmä Raappana ingame. This division, like the others listed, is featured in the Steel Division 2 - Fate of Finland expansion.
Another new aircraft is the DB-3M bomber. Finland also used the DB-3F, already featured in Steel Division 2. The DB-3F formed part of the Soviet Il-4 bomber family, while the earlier DB-3 and DB-3M were its precursors. We have reflected this reality, as Finland also acquired the DB-3M, either capturing them from the Soviets or buying them from German war booty in 1940. In total, Finland operated 11 of these planes mixed in two bomber squadrons.
The DB-3M too will find its way into the Ryhmä Raappana.
The FORD AA is currently the only truck and artillery tractor of the Finnish Army, as depicted in Steel Division 2. But, historically, this model wasn’t the most common. As a matter of fact, it was quite rare by 1944. While we won’t remove the Ford, in order for people not to redo all their Finnish decks, we will round out the Finnish motor pool with some additional vehicles.
When talking about artillery tractors, these are vehicles intended to tow heavy artillery guns. In Finland, this meant a cute little tractor - the McCormick TD 14 being used to move the heaviest of guns. We will add this unit to all Finnish divisions to tow guns from 150mm and above.
The main workhorse for moving troops and supplies in 1944 was the FORD V8 098T. In-game, we’ll feature it as a heavy supply truck. Likewise, this unit will find its way into all Finnish divisions.
The last unit isn’t entirely new, as it was already featured in the Fate of Finland’sArmy GeneralKarelia campaign. However, this unit wasn’t part of any multiplayer-capable division. The captured Soviet Pe-2R recon plane, was sold by Germany to Finland in 1941. By 1944, gone was its bombing role, with the remaining specimens used solely for photographic recon duties over the Karelia battlefields.
The Pe-2R will find its way into the German 122. Infanterie-Division in-game.
More new units from other nations will be showcased in the upcoming weeks.
Nemesis #7: Hell’s Highway
In case you missed it: Nemesis #7: Hell’s Highway is the latest community-voted Steel Division 2 DLC, transporting the World War II action to the infamous Hell’s Highway corridor, heavily contested during airborne landings as part of Market Garden in September 1944. Nemesis #7: Hell’s Highway is available now!
That’s all. We’ll be back next week with more Reinforcement Pack #17 - War Reserves unit previews.
Make sure to join the Steel Division 2 community on our Steam forums. The latest Steel Division 2 news can also be encountered on our Instagram.
Looking for an online game? Visit the Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!
See you on the battlefield!
New RP #17 - War Reserves - Units Reveal #1
Hello commanders!
It’s time for a new Steel Division 2 update, this one coming for free in the very near future. In today’s DevBlog - and coming posts - we’ll be teasing the upcoming Reinforcement Pack #17 - War Reserves.
Reinforcement Pack #17 will bring a host of new and updated 3D models for existing Steel Division 2 units, across the base game and various expansions and Nemesis DLCs.
Let’s go check them out.
Introducing Reinforcement Pack #17
As we mentioned in our previous DevBlog at the start of the new year, the Eugen team has been busy with Steel Division 2’s Cold War cousin, WARNO and the recently launched WARNO - NORTHAG expansion. With the heavy lifting out of the way, we could refocus our game designers' efforts to World War II, including the upcoming new expansion Battle of Dukla Pass.
However, our 3D artists found some extra time to produce a batch of brand-new units and models. Specifically, these are units we missed in our original research and that the community brought to our attention. They will be added to existing divisions, both “vanilla” base game and DLC ones. Keep in mind that not all divisions or nations will receive new units. In total, there will be 15 to 20 new units, including a dozen brand-new 3D models.
These new models are currently being balanced and added to each respective nation and division. This means that the freeReinforcement Pack #17 - War Reserves shouldn’t take too long to release.
The Axis Powers
We’ll start with some of the Axis nation’s new units; Germany, Hungary, and the Italians of the RSI take the lead.
Germany (and RSI)
The Heeres Flakartillerie Abteilung 304, attached to the 26. Panzerdivision, famously featured the FAMO 88mm self-propelled heavy AA guns, as depicted in-game. However, the formation was also assigned one out of only three ever-produced prototypes of the Panzer Selbstfahrlafette IV Ausf. C, aka the PANZER. SFL. IVc. This vehicle also features a self-propelled 88mm, but with more armor all around, being built on Panzer IV chassis, and with the more modern and efficient Flak 41 gun.
When the Germans disarmed their former Italian allies in 1943, they also seized and reused quite a bit of military equipment. These include the CANNONE DA 75/46 C.A. M34, a 75mm dual-purpose AA and AT gun. As an anti-aircraft weapon, its performance was similar to that of the Romanian and Finnish VICKERS 75mm, although its anti-tank performance was somewhat inferior.
The CANNONE DA 75/46 C.A. M34 will be used in-game by the 4a Alpina Monterosa division from the RSI, available in the Tribute to the Liberation of Italy expansion.
It was pressed into German service as the FLAK 264/3 75mm and quickly put to use against the Anzio bridgehead by the 715. Infanterie-Division from the Men of Steel expansion.
Not all GRILLE self-propelled artillery guns were of the same model. Specifically, our Steel Division 2 model is a GRILLE Ausf. K (renamed) which is the second version of the vehicle. But an earlier GRILLE Ausf. H was still in service in some divisions by 1944. Our current stats actually fit the new H model, which will retain them, while the K variant will have less armor, but faster and with a bit more ammunition. The changes are mostly cosmetic. This specific 3D model requires some additional corrections, which means we’ll showcase it at a later date.
GRILLE Ausf. H will replace all or part of the current GRILLE Ausf. K over the board, with the Panzer and Panzergrenadier divisions affected being too many to count. A more detailed list will come when the Reinforcement Pack releases.
Hungary
Improvements to the TOLDI series of light tanks were pursued in 1944, despite the vehicle being pretty obsolete by that time. Such improvements led to the development of the TOLDI III, with increased front armor, side skirts, and a better motor, making it roughly equivalent to the American M3 Stuart. Unfortunately, the Hungarian factory producing these light tanks was destroyed by Allied bombers after only a dozen were built. Although no one really knows what happened to this small batch, this tank did exist in real life. This is why we included it to some of the Hungarian division with some “artistic license”.
The most fitting division to receive them would be the 1. Páncélos Hadosztály from the Men of Steel expansion.
More new units will be showcased in the upcoming weeks.
Nemesis #7: Hell’s Highway
In case you missed it: Nemesis #7: Hell’s Highway is the latest community-voted Steel Division 2 DLC, transporting the World War II action to the infamous Hell’s Highway corridor, heavily contested during airborne landings as part of Market Garden in September 1944. Nemesis #7: Hell’s Highway is available now!
That’s all for this week’s Reinforcement Pack 17. We’ll be back next week with more unit previews.
Make sure to join the Steel Division 2 community on our Steam forums. The latest Steel Division 2 news can also be encountered on our Instagram.
Looking for an online game? Visit the Discord server or Reddit page and get involved with the lively Steel Division 2 community!
See you on the battlefield, commander!
v.144789: Hot fix
DATA FIXES
Fixed the missing Dutch acknows
Fixed British CONV. GUNNERS' number of rifles to match squad's strength
Fixed T-34/85 OBR. 43's price from 95 to 90, as announced in previous patch but not applied
Fixed American captured ZIS-3's price from 65 to 60 on par with counterparts
Fixed s.FH 317(j)'s name into le.FH 317(j)
(Wessex) replaced wrong Canadian WHITE TRUCK with proper British one. Will need to be reloaded in deck.
Increased JÄÄKÄRI (KPÄÄL) TÖRNI's availability on par with its non-ace counterpart in previous patch
Decreased RECRUTI's price from 15 to 10, as announced in previous patch but not applied
AXIS
Decreased FW 190 F-8 with 1000kg bomb's speed from 530 to 485km/h
Nemesis #7 - Hell’s Highway and RP16 Out Now!
Get ready for combat, commanders!
Nemesis #7 - Hell’s Highway and the free Reinforcement Pack 16 - Dukla Pass are available now.
That’s not all: we have also released a major Steel Division 2 balance patch alongside the above.
Nemesis #7: Hell’s Highway
Nemesis #7: Hell’s Highway is the latest community-voted Steel Division 2 DLC, transporting the World War II action to the infamous Hell’s Highway corridor, heavily contested during airborne landings as part of Market Garden in September 1944.
Take command as the multinational British 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division of the Allied XXX Corps with its attached Dutch Princess Irene Brigade and Polish paratroopers, or let your tank guns roar with the combined Kampfgruppe Walther and its heavy Panzerbrigade 107’s contingent of Panzer IV/70 tank destroyers.
Nemesis #7: Hell’s Highway features a host of new units, such as Dutch resistance fighters and Princess Irene Brigade motorized Geweergroepen, Mariniers naval infantry detachments, Polish Spadochroniareze paratroopers, and British Assault Troops backed by Dutch-operated Lynx and Humber LRC armored scout cars, Mitchell II bombers and Spitfire Mk. XIV fighters.
The Axis deploy not only a smattering of re-equipped SS Panzergrenadiers but also various squads of Fallschirmjägers, including crack veterans and inexperienced soldiers drawn from local paratrooper school unit, and even disheartened Luftwaffe penal troops. The freshly stood-up Panzerbrigade 107 features the new Panzer IV/70 tank destroyer and SdKfz. 251/21 with Drilling 15mm in AA and fire support roles.
Reinforcement Pack #16 - Dukla Pass
The free Reinforcement Pack #16 - Dukla Pass brings you a brand-new Steel Division 2 map. Inspired by the location of the most ferocious World War II battles fought on the Polish-Slovak frontier in late 1944, Dukla Pass features a whole gamut of tactical and strategic choices set among rolling valleys, narrow battlefield corridors, and dense forests.
Steel Division 2 has also received a major balance update as of today. Some of the changes include buffing certain SMGs and LMGs, the addition of a variety of units to older divisions, improving Soviet tank leader and medium tank availability, an overhaul of anti-tank rifle teams, recon armored cars, light tanks, and AT half-tracks, and much more!
