Explore GameReplays...

Company of Heroes

881 users online in the past 15 minutes
874 guests and 7 members
COH COMMENTARIES & VODS
COMPANY OF HEROES STRATEGIES
HOT FORUM TOPICS
TEAMSPEAK 3 SERVER

Wehrmacht Unit Guide - Geschutzwagen

By sjceran - 11th May 2009 - 20:34 PM

To finish off the Wehrmacht Tales of Valor units, sjceran and VelocityGirl have put together a guide on the new Geschutzwagen. This unit is a real catch for Wehrmacht since it provides quality AT support for T3.

IPB Image



Name: Geschutzwagen
Replaces: Stug IV (StuG IV stats noted in parentheses).
Cost: 280 mp 55 fuel (340 mp 50 fuel)
Build Time: 50 sec (45 sec)
Health: 375 hp (400 hp)
Acceleration: 4 (1.7)
Speed: 6 (5)
Rotation: 24 (30)
Armor: Marder III (StuG)
Upgrade: MG42.
Ability: Rapid Fire Shells, 50 munitions, makes Geschutzwagen fire twice as fast for 30 seconds.
Vet 1: Received Damage 0.85x
Vet 2: Health 1.15x (Health 1.15x, add top MG42)
Vet 3: Reload Time 0.5x (Skirts)


The Geschutzwagen is a big step up from the StuG that it replaces. The Geschutzwagen is very similar to the Marder III for Panzer Elite. It comes out of t3 with a MG42 already mounted, which is vital for defending against infantry. The MG42 has pretty good suppression against riflemen, but it cannot fend off a horde of infantry, which means you need to support this unit. It has a large range that nearly matches an AT gun, but it has a poor line of sight. In order to make the most of this unit, a spotting unit should be used to maximize the efficiency of the Geschutzwagen. This unit is simply a highly mobile AT gun, so one should not expect it to snipe infantry units with its cannon.

Surprisingly, one of the more impressive elements of the Geschutzwagen is its veterancy bonuses. Since it falls under the tank category, you can elevate this unit’s level in a regular build order, which is a very advantageous feature. Accordingly, the Geschutzwagen has the highest damage output at Vet 3, and it is great against enemy building. It only takes four to five shots to bring down lower tier buildings and MG nests, and only a few more for a Tank Depot. It also has the ability to increase its firing rate for fifty munitions, which is very helpful in a base rape situation or against multiple enemy vehicles. This ability is a replacement for the Blitzkrieg ability, since the Geschutzwagen is actually not affected by the Blitzkrieg bonuses. However, it is important to notice that the Geschutzwagen will only take a few more shots than normal, so do not expect a firing rate of an Ostwind.

There are a few points to take note of when using the Geschutzwagen. It shares the qualities of the Marder III, so take the same precautions as you would with it. This means that it should be supported and removed from battle when it is in danger. It has a very slow firing rate, which makes it an easy target for a circle strafe or even AT guns. An AT gun will be brought down in three hits by a Geschutzwagen, but an AT gun will do the same. Some people will be tempted to attack the AT gun in a false sense of hope, but the AT gun will win one on one due to its higher firing rate. To avoid this dilemma, simply pull back the Geschutzwagen when a AT gun is first spotted to avoid a hefty loss. In addition to AT guns and circle strafes, infantry held AT weapons pose a problem to this unit. This exemplifies the need for good infantry support in order to keep the expensive Geschutzwagen alive. Finally, the armor of the Geschutzwagen is weak, so it only takes a few shots or even a few bursts from an AP HMG to destroy the tank. Do not be overly offensive and push the Geschutzwagen beyond a comfortable point, unless it is known that there will be no opposition.

Overall, the Geschutzwagen is arguably better than the StuG. It has excellent fire power and a powerful MG right off the bat. The one problem is it's fairly slow rate of fire. However, using its crafty ability to increase its rate of fire, no one should have a problem destroying enemy armor in any situation. By upgrading the Geschutzwagen by purchasing Tank Veterancy, the Geschutzwagen becomes more resilient as well as more powerful. And as long as this unit is supported correctly, it should last for a lengthy duration.