The Company of Heroes: A Potential Italian Faction

In the world of real-time strategy games, few factions have been as overlooked as Italy. Despite playing crucial roles in both World War I and II, they've rarely taken center stage on the battlefield – or so it seems. According to recent rumors, Relic Entertainment may be considering adding an Italian faction to their critically acclaimed Company of Heroes series.

If true, this would mark a significant departure from the usual German-Allied forces we're accustomed to seeing in COH games. The idea of Italy as a playable faction is both intriguing and daunting; it offers a fresh set of units, abilities, and playstyles for players to master.

Designing an Italian Faction

To bring this hypothetical Italian faction to life, let's explore some potential design choices. Here are six possible battlegroups that could make up the core of Italy's army:

1. Regio Esercito: A traditional infantry-focused group, inspired by the Royal Italian Army during World War II. This battalion would feature iconic units like Bersaglieri rifle companies and Alpini mountain troops.

2. Aviazione Nazionale Repubblicana: An airforce-inspired battlegroup centered around Italy's unique aircraft designs of the time period – think Macchi C.202 Folgore fighters or Savoia-Marchetti S.79 bombers.

3. Marina Militare Italiana: A naval-focused group, mirroring Italy's efforts in World War II as a major maritime power. This battalion could include units like Regia Marina destroyers and MAS torpedo boats.

4. Corpo di Spedizione Italiano: An elite special forces unit inspired by the famous Folgore paratrooper division or the Decima Mas frogman corps – think highly trained, adaptable troops with unique abilities.

5. Camicie Nere Legionari: A fascist-inspired battlegroup drawing from Italy's Blackshirt militia and Legione Italiana di Volontari per la guerra (Italian Volunteer Corps). This unit would embody Mussolini's vision of a militarized nation.

6. Corpo d'Armata Autotrasportabile: An armored-focused group, featuring vehicles like the L3/33 tankette or the M13/40 medium tanks – think mobile units with moderate firepower.

Incorporating an Italian faction into Company of Heroes would not only add a new layer of complexity to gameplay but also provide players with fresh historical context. The Regio Esercito, Aviazione Nazionale Repubblicana, and other battlegroups mentioned above could create fascinating strategic possibilities.

If Relic Entertainment decides to greenlight this project, we can expect an Italian faction that blends the country's rich military heritage with innovative gameplay mechanics – a true departure from the usual World War II fare.

Company of heroes italian faction