(http://www.easternfront.org/uploads/WartyX/osth.png)
So, we have the last unknown part of Ostheer unveiled, Veterancy. Veterancy is a key part of any Company of Heroes army, making troops that survive longer being better. And Ostheer is no exception.
Ostheer has a different system than the other factions, however shares some basic principles. All troops in the Ostheer will gain veterancy in combat; by killing enemies. Infantry receive 'buffs' similar to the American and Russian Armies, however on top of this they also gain a temporary thing known as Blood Lust. Blood Lust is a short-term (10s~15s) change to stats, it's automatically activated, an indication that your squad have some lust for blood. Each time they get Blood Lust, the duration is lower to indicate that the lust is disappearing. Blood Lust has it's advantages, but at the same time it's disadvantages. Blood Lust pushes the squad to ignore all risks; dealing more damage at the cost of accuracy and allowing them to take more damage before being mortally wounded. However while the squad becomes much harder to suppress; it's lack of care for it's own safety makes it an easy target for enemy soldiers.
Meanwhile tank veterancy at first glance can be seen to reflect the Panzer Elite's veterancy, but in truth it's a lot more specific. When your thanks gain veterancy you receive the option to level up one of 3 specific crew members. Giving them unique abilities (such as HE rounds for some tanks) or passive buffs (such as increased weapon range or movement speed). In addition, vehicles also get a one-time use ability with every veterancy level.
The "Veterancy" rank "Ace" (Veterancy in quotation marks because it's not viewed as Veterancy internally) allows your tanks and marksman (only they can obtain it) to go one of two ways. One way is normally just an addition to the unit, in Panther's case increased offensive stats and in Marksman's case is the addition of some off-map artillery/smoke barrages. The other way is to twist around the gameplay, Panther's case is that it becomes a Command Tank, increasing stats of nearby friendly tank, and the Marksman can completely take a different turn, making him a proper sniper.
Landser (Example Infantry):
(http://i52.tinypic.com/v79s1y.jpg) (http://i53.tinypic.com/2nkqvf9.jpg)
* Recruit (Default) (http://i51.tinypic.com/30su253.png)
- Decreased stats.
* Regular (Normal / "Veterancy 1") (http://i53.tinypic.com/2duftzk.png)
- Normal stats.
- Medic Pack that is usable in friendly territory only.
* Blood Lust 1 (Lasts 15 Seconds) (http://i52.tinypic.com/2diq8fn.png)
- Increased Squad's Health.
- Increased Squad's Damage.
- Decreased Suppression Taken of the Squad.
- Decreased Squad's Accuracy.
- Increased Accuracy of Enemies firing at the Squad.
* Blood Lust 2 (http://i51.tinypic.com/wi3msn.png)
- Similar to Blood Lust 1.
* Blood Lust 3 (http://i52.tinypic.com/2ez7bwo.png)
- Similar to Blood Lust 1.
* Veteran ("Veterancy 2")(http://i56.tinypic.com/2mwecqr.png)
- Stat(s) Increased
- Medic Pack can now be used anywhere.
- Extra StG44 or MP40 (depends on initial Sergeant upgrade)
* Senior ("Veterancy 3") (http://i55.tinypic.com/34nmu60.png)
- Stat(s) Increased
- Sprint Ability
- Upgrade for one LMG OR one Panzerbüchse (AT-Rifle).
Elite Units (such as Brandenburgers):
* Regular veterancy on start, does not gain Blood Lust.
Marksman:
* Recruit (Default)
- Decreased stats.
* Regular (Normal / "Veterancy 1")
- Normal stats.
- Medic Pack that is usable in friendly territory only.
* Veteran ("Veterancy 2")
- Stat(s) Increased
- Medic Pack can now be used anywhere.
* Senior ("Veterancy 3")
- Stat(s) Increased
* Ace
- Forward Observer (Artillery Barrage, Smoke Barrage and Box Barrage)
- or
- Sniper Ace (Sniper Camouflage, Best Counter-Detection, Slowest Camouflaged movement; receives a Scoped-K98; explosives; removes Hide ability)
Panther (Example Tank):
* Rookie (Default)
- Decreased stats.
* Regular ("Veterancy 1")
- Normal stats.
- Repair Critical Ability - Single Use
* Veteran ("Veterancy 2")
- Engine Overclock (Temporary Increased Movement Speed; Engine Burnout on end which results in decreased max speed and slower repairs) - Single Use
* Senior ("Veterancy 3")
- Critical Shot (Disable Turret of Target) - Single Use
* Ace
- Repair Critical and Engine Overclock available for unlimited usage, but with a munition cost. Engine Burnout no longer causes the tank to receive repairs at a slower rate.
- Stats Increased
- One of the following two upgrades:
- - Command Tank (Buffs nearby friendly vehicles)
- - or
- - Tank Hunter (Offensive stats increased)
Additionally, each time your tank gain Veterancy, you can choose to level up one of three crew members (with the expectation of reaching "Ace", which isn't viewed as a Veterancy Rank).
* Loader
- Level 1: Decreased Loading Time.
- Level 2: Optional load HE (Hollow-Charge for Brummbär).
- Level 3: APCR replace AP (Stielgranate 42 ability for Brummbär).
* Gunner
- Level 1: Increased Weapon Accuracy.
- Level 2: Increased Weapon Range.
- Level 3: Increased Chance of Critical Hits (eg. Destroyed Engine).
* Commander
- Level 1: Increased Sight Range and Turret Traverse.
- Level 2: Decreased Incoming Accuracy.
- Level 3: Increased Damage.
* Driver (Replaces Commander Crew Member on commander-less and turret-less such as Marder 2 and Brummbär)
- Level 1: Increased Moving Speed and De-/Acceleration.
- Level 2: Increased Turning Speed.
- Level 3: Decreased Incoming Accuracy and Increased Health.