Why do you need a Helicopter?

Do you need a helicopter at all?

In fact, the helicopter is far from the most profitable venture. First, it requires research, and that means 500-600 days on a single special project. Second, helicopter companies are not overpowered: regular support companies cover the same tasks cheaper and unlock earlier.

On a wide front where every factory counts, skipping the helicopter is the sensible choice. A major with spare resources may still try it — little harm done.

A typical scenario: researching the helicopter once there is nothing left to research, purely for completion. Expect no major efficiency boost — the same time and resources buy several regular divisions instead.

Helicopter support companies

The helicopter as a unit exists for one purpose: putting it into divisions. Note — the helicopter joins a division as support companies, never as battalions. There is no separate helicopter battalion in the game.

So the entire value of the helicopter is the 4 support companies it unlocks. Which ones they are and which is best is covered next.

Which helicopter companies exist?

Four total: «Helicopter Brigade», «Helicopter Recon», «Helicopter Med-Evac» and «Helicopter Transports». They unlock through the research granted by the «Helicopter» special project — the relevant research is marked with a helicopter icon in the support company research section.

Essentially regular support companies that require helicopters in exchange for slightly better buffs.

Best helicopter companies

Simple: the best is «Helicopter Recon», also recommended by most players. It gives solid terrain buffs and replaces other recon companies, so no separate recon slot needs freeing.

Take the other three only if you know exactly why. They are not overpowered: regular support companies do the same job cheaper. It is easy to do without helicopters entirely. How to assign a helicopter to a division is covered next.

How do I research a helicopter company?

First complete the «Helicopter» special project, then research the company you need — research carries a helicopter icon . Remember the chain: «Helicopter Recon», for example, requires the regular recon company first.

Without researched companies, the division designer list will simply lack them. Research first, template second — that order is fixed.

How do I assign a helicopter company?

Open the division designer, select a template and add the company to a support company slot. Helicopter companies live only there — they cannot go into line battalions.

Then everything is routine: save the template, and newly produced helicopters flow into divisions. Shortages queue like any other equipment.