This way, riflemen can be used to construct defensive structures (tank traps, sandbags etc.), for example.

At the same time, there are others which can give temporary bonuses to existing troops or capabilities to units that normally can't perform them. Some may be used to call airborne support, including bombardment, while others can call in special units such as paratroopers, the King Tiger or the Calliope Rocket Launcher. The Allied forces trees include Infantry Company, Airborne Company and Armor Company, while the Axis has the Defensive Doctrine, Blitzkrieg Doctrine and Terror Doctrine. It rewards XP for successful attacks and controlling territory sectors, which can then be invested in a two-branched ability tree. There's also a progression system for the players themselves, called Company Commander. In both cases they become more effective in combat. Allied units can also advance through a progression system that awards XP for killing enemies and destroying hostile structures, while Axis units gain veterancy at the Kampfkraft Center through research. This is normally impossible for tanks in the game. For example, the M4 'Crocodile' Sherman can smash through hedgerows when equipped with the Bulldozer upgrade. Most units can be upgraded and equipped with special accessories that are either more powerful or suited for specific tasks. Players must train a balanced assortment of units in order to obtain victory over their adversaries. What really sets Company of Heroes apart from other real-time strategy games, much like Relic Entertainment's previous entry, is that you no longer train and control individual troops. More varied maps are available in the skirmish and multiplayer modes, including many added through patches. All the missions in the single-player campaign take place during the Battle of Normandy (codename Operation Overlord) and are played from the perspective of the American Able Company (part of the 29th Infantry Division) and Fox Company (101st Airborne Division). The game comes with three modes of play - single-player campaign, single-player skirmish and online multiplayer. From the bloody beaches of Omaha to the deadly firefights of the Bocage, you attempt to lead your troops to victory one battle at a time. Company of Heroes, from the developers of Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War, is a real-time strategy game that drops you into the fray of World War II Europe.

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