Rangers

Quote

**Rangers** are a pseudo-elite unit available to the American Expeditionary Forces. Equipped with powerful SMGs and explosives, Rangers are well suited for assault tactics and demolition of enemy strong-points.

## Overview

Rangers are a strong assault unit available to the AEF. Much like Shotgun Teams, they are practically unmatched in close-range engagements due to their powerful DPS and durability. Additionally, they have powerful explosive options that make strong anti-fortification and blob units.

Their primary strength lies in their close-range damage output. Thanks to their full array of SMGs and large squad size, they are capable of decimating almost any Axis unit they will face in close-quarters combat. Due to this, they can effectively dominate early-game battlefields with next to no opposition from anything short of massed automatic weapons. Additionally, their powerful close-range anti-tank capabilities make them a major threat to any vehicles they face, although they are somewhat worse at getting long-range snares off than units with proper anti-tank grenades.

In addition to their almost unrivaled close-quarters damage output, they also have great explosive options. Equipped with both satchel charges and *free* demolition charges (albeit only three of them per-squad), they can effectively blow holes in enemy defensive lines and set up deadly traps for little actual munitions cost.

Overall, Rangers are an incredibly powerful unit that can do well in almost any circumstance. The only time it isn't a good idea to get at least one are if you are fighting in a very open map or area, in which case it is likely a better idea to invest in units with more potent long-range capabilities.

## Pros-and-Cons

### Pros

* Powerful close-range combat potential
* Good durability due to body armor
* Large squad size.
* Powerful explosive options

### Cons

* Poor long-range performance without upgrades
* Expensive to produce and maintain

## Upgrades

### M1918 BAR

* 30 Munitions / Pick-up
* Improves mid-long range damage output

Replaces one of the squad's weapons with an M1918 BAR; improving the mid-long range damage output of the squad while marginally reducing close-range output. This upgrade isn't really needed for Rangers to perform optimally but it can be a good option to have due to the increased versatility that the improved ranged damage output it provides.

### M9 Bazooka

* 25 Munitions / Pick-up
* Mediocre Anti-Tank Weapon

Replaces one of the squad's weapons with an M9 Bazooka. Although this upgrade is fine and functions well, it is often better to just put Bazookas on a less valuable squad.

### M1919 Browning LMG

* 50 Munition / Pick-up
* Long-range stationary weapon

Replaces one of the squad's weapons with an M1919 LMG. While this weapon isn't really bad in its own right and improves the otherwise mediocre long-range effectiveness of the squad, the optimal usage of this weapon (long range while sitting still) doesn't mesh well with the general up-front assault playstyle that Rangers do best at.

## Abilities

### 'Cooked' Mk 2 Frag Grenade

**20 Munitions**; A squad member throws a 'cooked' Mk 2 Frag Grenade at the target location, dealing significant damage to enemy units caught in the blast while giving enemies less time to react.

### M18 Smoke Grenade

**15 Munitions**; A squad member throws a standard smoke grenade at the target location, laying down a smoke screen shortly after landing.

### Satchel Charge

**45 Munitions**; A squad member throws a short-range satchel charge at the target location, dealing massive damage to any units or structures caught within the blast radius when it goes off.

### Anti-Tank Satchel Charge

**60 Munitions**; A squad member throws a short-range satchel charge at the target vehicle, dealing massive damage and causing critical damage upon exploding.

### Limited Demolition Charges

**Free** but **limited uses (3)**; The squad plants a manually-detonated explosive charge at the targeted point. Deals massive damage to any unit or structure caught in the blast.

### Sprint

The squad moves at maximum speed for 10 seconds.

## Veterancy

*\*\*\*Exact values are unknown due to limited access to mod files\*\*\**

**Veterancy One**

Increases weapon accuracy

**Veterancy Two**

Reduces received accuracy

**Veterancy Three**

Increases weapon lethality