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 Pioneer Squad | |||
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 Pioneers behind sand bags | |||
| Army | Wehrmacht Ostheer | ||
| Role | Engineer Squad | ||
| Men per Squad | 4 | ||
| Unit Cost |
 200 5 | ||
| Upkeep per Minute |
−7.5 | ||
| Produced By | Kampfgruppe Headquarters | ||
| Cost to Reinforce |
25 1 | ||
| Health per Man |
 80 | ||
| Build Time | 20 seconds | ||
| Received Accuracy | 1.0 | ||
| Basic Weapon | 4x MP40 | ||
| Firing Range | 35 | ||
| Sight Range | 42 | ||
| Open Weapon Slots | 2 | ||
| Max. Speed | 3 m/s | ||
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The Pioneer Squad are basic troops for the Wehrmacht in Company of Heroes 2. Their primary task are building structures, creating or clearing battlefield obstacles, and attacking enemy defensive positions. They move primarily behind the front line constructing buildings, re-crewing support weapons, capping points, and sweeping mines. They perform poorly in direct combat but the flamethrower upgrade can make them a valuable asset in assaulting structures.
Overview[]
Pioneers were originally part of the artillery branch of European armies. Subsequently, they formed part of the engineering branch, the logistic branch or part of the infantry. Historically, the primary role of pioneer units was to assist other arms in tasks such as the construction of field fortifications, military camps, bridges and roads.
All Skirmish/Multiplayer battles begin with one Pioneer Squad ready to go. More can be constructed at the Kampfgruppe Headquarters for the price of 200, 5. They are armed with four MP 40 submachine guns that are effective in close-combat only. Combined with poor accuracy there are few situations where this squad should engage the enemy alone. But they often work well with MG42 HMG teams, especially due to their good sight range. In fact, the sight range, combined with low cost makes Pioneer squads excellent scouts in their own right, sometimes spotting enemies before being detected themselves.
Throughout the game pioneers are used to construct all production buildings after escalating through the three battle phases. On the battlefield itself Pioneers can construct defensive structures like bunkers, mines, sandbags and barbed wire. They also have the ability to build Munitions- and Fuel Caches to boost income.
An important part of their duties is repairing friendly vehicles or structures. Their repair rate is rather slow, so it can be wise to call in an extra squad of pioneers in the late game to support your heavy tanks.
Pioneer Squads can be upgraded with one of two different weapon packages, specializing in either mine detection or anti-building activities. Nonetheless, they will never be a true combat unit, lacking the survivability and firepower to stand up to most other core infantry squads, except in numbers and very close range. Fortunately, since they are very cheap to construct, the loss of a Pioneer Squad is considered only a minor setback.
Weapons[]
Pioneer Squads are equipped with Maschinepistole 40 (MP 40) submachine guns. These rapid-firing weapons are all but useless in anything except very close combat.
MP 40 SMG[]
This rapid fire gun has overall more short-range firepower than the Mosin Nagant Rifles carried by Soviet Combat engineers but have very poor long-medium range accuracy.
Flammenwerfer 35[]
This German flamethrower couples well with the short-range MP-40 SMGs. Like other flamethrowers, it can burn infantry out of buildings.
Production[]
Bunker[]
- Cost 150
- Requires friendly and connected territory.
- Build Time: 20 seconds
Pioneers can construct an empty Bunker, giving 
Heavy Cover for the squad inside it. An empty bunker can be upgraded to a MG Emplacement, Healing Station or Reinforcement Point for 
60.
MG Emplacements are generally placed on the map covering points, lanes of attack or other important areas. Healing Stations station three medics that heal friendly infantry in its vicinity. These are most commonly placed at your HQ or retreat point to heal infantry that is reinforcing. Reinforcement Points can reinforce nearby infantry and are a good way to keep pressure on your opponent by circumventing the need to retreat to your HQ.
Barbed Wire[]
- Build Time: 4 seconds per piece
Barbed Wire is an anti-infantry obstacle. Infantry cannot pass through a piece of Barbed Wire, and have to go around it.
Place Barbed Wire along infantry approach-routes to funnel them into a killing zone, i.e. an area covered by machine guns and/or mortars. This ensures that the enemy cannot flank your positions, and has to come straight into your line of fire.
Barbed Wire can be run over by almost all Vehicles without a moment's thought, so avoid placing it in areas where vehicles (both yours and the enemies) are likely to pass, or place Tank Traps in front of the wire to block vehicles as well.
In high-level games it is sometimes build direct onto objects that give cover, from the enemies perspective. For example: a vehicle wreck that can be used by the enemy to shoot at you from heavy cover is rendered useless if that side of the wreck is covered by barbed wire.
Also, remember that enemy engineer squads can dismantle Barbed Wire with the proper upgrade.
Teller Mines[]
- Cost 50
- Activation: Select Area
- Takes 8 seconds to place
The anti-tank Teller Mine is commonly placed on choke points around high-traffic areas, on roads or other common paths for vehicles. This mine is only triggered by vehicles or sufficient collateral damage but does major damage to nearby infantry units and can instantly kill any vehicle lighter than a medium tank.
Warnings signs surrounding S-Mine fields
S-Mine Field[]
- Cost 60
- Activation: Select Area
- Takes ~25 seconds to place
Pioneers can lay down an Anti-Personnel S-Mine field, covering a large area. Very effective against infantry, but can be triggered by vehicles who are all but immune to it. Comes with warning signs on boundaries of the radius.
Sand Bags[]
- Build Time: 17 seconds
Sand Bags are man-made cover for infantry. Infantry units behind sand-bags are said to be in Heavy Cover , making them less vulnerable to direct damage and suppression. However, they are just as vulnerable to explosives and artillery fire as troops in the open.
Sand-Bags can be run over all medium and heavy vehicles without a moment's thought, so avoid placing it in areas where vehicles (both yours and the enemies) are likely to pass. Sand-Bags are also quite easily destroyed whenever anything explodes near them or when targeted with cannon or AT fire.
leFH 18 Artillery[]
- Requires the German Mechanized Doctrine, Joint Operations Doctrine or Storm Doctrine.
- Cost: 400, 50
- Requires friendly and connected territory.
- Building Time: 60 seconds
This light 10.5cm Field Howitzer doesn't have the destructive power of some Soviet artillery, but it counters with a good rate of fire and reasonable long range.
Pak 43 Emplacement[]
- Requires the Defensive Doctrine (Community), Festung Armor Doctrine or Joint Operations Doctrine.
- Cost: 350, 45
- Requires friendly and connected territory.
- Building Time: 50 Seconds
The Pak43 an immobile anti-tank emplacement armed with an 88mm gun that boasts extreme range and punching power against even heavy tanks as well as the enemy base if built close enough. Its devastating shells can also penetrate through many obstacles, including most civilian buildings. However, it is quite vulnerable to infantry and indirect fire units, often requiring protection by friendly units and bunkers. If the crew is killed, it can be manned by infantry like any other field weapon.
Trench[]
- Requires the Defensive Doctrine (Community) or Osttruppen Doctrine.
- Requires friendly and connected territory.
- Building Time: 20 seconds
The Trench is much like the Bunker, as it provides Heavy Cover in a rough slit in the ground. The Trench has no upgrades, it can only be used as cover for infantry inside it. Often placed at important points or areas where heavy fighting can be expected.
The Trench can be built free of charge.
Infanterie Kompanie[]
- Cost 80 10
- Building Time: 15 seconds
This base structure produces Grenadiers, Mortar teams, and snipers.
Leichte Mechanized Kompanie[]
- Requires Battle Phase 1
- Cost: 200 20
- Building Time: 20 seconds
This base structure produces 222 scout cars, 251 halftracks, and Pak 40 AT guns.
Support Armor Korps[]
- Requires Battle Phase 2
- Cost 140
- Building Time: 30 seconds
This base structure produces Stug III assault guns, Flakpanzer IV Ostwinds, and Panzer IV medium tanks.
Heavy Panzer Korps[]
- Requires Battle Phase 3
- Cost 100
- Building Time: 30 seconds
This base structure produces Sturmpanzer IV assault guns, Panther medium tanks, and Panzerwerfer rocket halftracks.
Munitions Cache[]
- Cost: 250
- Building Time: 15 seconds
The Munitions Cache can be build over any territory point that is not a fuel or munition point. This will secure the point, preventing enemies from capturing it until it is destroyed.
It will increase your income by 5 p/m.
Fuel Cache[]
- Cost 250
- Takes 15 seconds to build
The Fuel Cache can be build over any territory point that is not a fuel or munition point. This will secure the point, preventing enemies from capturing it until it is destroyed.
It will increase your income by 
3 p/m.
Abilities[]
Repair[]
- Cost nothing
- Activation: Select Vehicle/Building
Demonstrating pure inginuity, Pioneers can repair any damaged structure, vehicle, or bridge.
Wire Cutters[]
- Requires Hazard Removal Package
- Cost nothing
- Activation: Select Barbed Wire
- Duration: 5 seconds per piece
This ability comes with the Hazard Removal Package and lets Pioneers cut trough barbed wire fences or barbed wire fields. They can cut enemy and friendly barbed wire.
Field First Aid[]
- Requires Veteran 1
- Cost 10 to activate
- Cooldown: 45 seconds
German infantry almost all have access to the Field First Aid kit. This ability unlocks itself after reaching Veterancy 1.
They can use the Medkit on themselves or use it to heal another squad but they have to be next to each other and it takes 5 seconds to complete the ability. After that healing takes place over a short period of time, remember if they enter combat of any kind the healing interrupted and stopped. Running away while healing won't interrupt healing, but any of the squad engaging targets will.
Upgrades[]
Flammenwerfer 35 Flamethrower[]
- Cost 60 to upgrade
One MP-40 is substituted with a flamethrower, a scary close-combat weapon. It has an area-effect attack that can engulf enemies in flames, rapidly dropping their health. This weapon is particular effective at clearing buildings and enemy infantry in cover, with them taking extra damage.
Watch out for incoming projectiles like grenades, mortar shells and tank rounds, this can cause explosive death if hit. This destroys the weapon but if a squad goes down to bullet fire it has a chance to drop the flamethrower, leaving it open to anyone to pick it up.
Hazard Removal Package[]
- Cost 30 to upgrade
This package exchanges one MP-40 for a mine detector, reducing the fire power a little bit. Pioneers gain the passive 'Battlefield Mine Detection' ability that lets them see enemy mines and disable them. It also improves their repair rates as well.
Veterancy[]
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Level 1 Veterancy:
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Level 2 Veterancy:
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Level 3 Veterancy:
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