The first of several private betas for Call of Duty: World War II is coming in just about a month now, due to start on the 25th of next month. In advance of the coming closed beta test, and hot on the heels of the recent reveal of the game’s Nazi Zombies mode, Mackenzie Bates of developer Sledgehammer Games has shared new details on the game’s “Divisions” system, which is described as COD WWII‘s new approach to the classic create-a-class system from previous Call of Duty games. There will be 5 different divisions in the game, which will all be playable in the upcoming beta tests, each with their own distinct equipment, abilities, aesthetics, and playstyles.
The Armored Division is a tanky, hard-hitting unit of soldiers designed to sustain damage and dish out punishment. They can deploy a mounted LMG Bipod on a ledge to post up in a single location, reducing recoil on their primary weapon and allowing them to rain death more effectively. They also have passive armor improvements, which render them more resistant to damage from fire and explosives.
The Mountain Division is a stealthy covert-ops group, who specialize in sniping and remaining undetected. With their Sniper Sharpshooter skill they can focus on their target to view enemy info and acquire aim assist for brief lengths of time, while their Mountain Training gives them quieter movement and makes them invisible to enemy recon and player-controlled Streaks.
The Airborne Division is mobile and aggressive, designed to get to the fight first and capture key positions on the battlefield. Airborne fighters are equipped with SMG Suppressors that hide muzzle flash and prevent them from appearing on enemy mini-maps, but also reduce the effective range of their weapons. Their special Airborne training allows them to sprint faster and for longer distances, as well as vault up and over obstacles quicker.
The Expeditionary Division are close-quarters infiltrators, armed with powerful shotguns that can be loaded with special Incendiary Shells to set flame to enemy targets. They also can throw their special tactical and lethal equipment faster and further than other soldiers, and can resupply their spent equipment from the corpses of enemy soldiers.
And finally, the Infantry Division are the well-rounded grunts of the WWII battlefield, designed to be effective in all manner of combat situations. Infantry soldiers can equip a Rifle Bayonet to increase their effective melee range, and are also able to equip extra attachments on their primary weapon. They also carry extra ammo and move faster while aiming down sights.
The first private beta for Call of Duty: World War II will run August 25th-28th for players on PlayStation 4, with subsequent betas planned to include Xbox and PC users.