Company of Heroes 3 free patch 1.9 (Orchid Spider) out now!

Published by Hellenic Moon on November 30, 2024November 30, 2024

The latest free patch (1.9) of Company of Heroes 3 just came out, and this marks a milestone for the game. It is the first time that the reviews for the game on Steam have gone from Mixed to Mostly Positive, which is a testament to the hard work of Relic Entertainment to stick with a game that started off badly, but is now on on the right track. Most other companies would have called it a day and gone on to their next project, but the Company of Heroes franchise is too special to the fans to abandon the project. If you ever wanted to try this game but were put off by the mixed reviews, now is the time to jump in!

For those that are not familiar with the game, Company of Heroes 3 is a critically acclaimed real-time strategy (RTS) game that continues the legacy of the Company of Heroes franchise. Renowned for its tactical depth and immersive World War II settings, the game blends resource management, unit positioning, and factional strategy to deliver thrilling skirmishes. Its gameplay emphasizes the importance of terrain, cover, and real-time decision-making, making every encounter a test of skill and adaptability.

You might be wondering why a website about Greek mythology is talking about a WWII pc game. Well that’s due to the setting of the game and Greek history. The game is set in the North African and Italian campaigns of WWII, in which Greece played an important role. We covered this more in detail in our old blog post about Company of Heroes 3, if you want to learn more.

The game has received steady updates since its launch, addressing player feedback and introducing new content to enrich the experience. The 1.9 “Orchid Spider” Patch, released on November 26, 2024, is a landmark update, adding significant new features, reworking key mechanics, and improving overall gameplay quality. This article delves into the additions and changes brought by this comprehensive update.

New Features in Orchid Spider patch

1. Live Observer Mode
   A long-awaited feature allowing players to spectate matches live. This mode is designed to enhance the competitive scene and provide a better experience for tournament viewers by offering real-time insight into ongoing games.
2. New Multiplayer Maps
3. Leaderboards
   In-game leaderboards have been introduced, allowing players to track their rankings and compare stats with others. This feature is part of a broader focus on fostering competitive play.

Gameplay Updates

1. Veterancy Rework
   The unit veterancy system received a significant overhaul. Units now have distinct bonuses that vary by faction and role, emphasizing tactical depth. These changes aim to make upgrading and maintaining veterancy more rewarding.
2. Unit Distinction Improvements
   Building on previous updates, this patch enhances the visual and mechanical differentiation between units. This includes unique abilities and improved animations to make unit roles clearer during gameplay.
3. Light Vehicle Tuning Postponed
   Some planned light vehicle adjustments were delayed to the game’s second-anniversary update in early 2025. However, the current patch focuses on overall balance tuning.

Balance Changes in Orchid Spider patch

The patch makes numerous tweaks to units, factions, and mechanics:

• Adjustments to infantry and vehicle damage outputs to align with player feedback.
• Rebalancing of artillery effectiveness to ensure it remains impactful without being overwhelming.
• Changes to resource generation rates for specific factions, encouraging diverse playstyles.

Quality of Life Enhancements

1. Tooltip Overhaul
   Tooltips have been revamped to provide clearer and more detailed information about abilities, units, and structures. This change improves accessibility for both new and veteran players.
2. Visual Effects Improvements
   While some graphical updates were postponed, the patch introduces minor upgrades to lighting and explosion effects, enhancing battlefield immersion.
3. Bug Fixes
   A plethora of bugs and glitches have been resolved, including stability issues and minor UI inconsistencies reported by the community.

Community Reception

Early reactions to Orchid Spider highlight appreciation for the observer mode and leaderboards, which many feel cater to the competitive community. The Orchid Spider patch demonstrates Relic Entertainment’s commitment to evolving the gameplay experience of Company of Heroes 3 and reinforcing its position in the RTS genre while laying groundwork for future updates.