The core of the update is the separation of the "Online Mode" from the "LAN Mode." Previously, even a local game required a handshake with Relic’s servers. Now, the patch introduces three key changes:
For those running large local events, the “Company of Heroes 2 LAN updated” keyword often hides a bigger question: Can we run a 4v4 tournament without internet?
The answer is yes, with caveats.
Follow this guide to get two or more computers playing Company of Heroes 2 on a local network with zero lag, no server drops, and sub-1ms latency.
Patch Notes: CoH2 LAN Functionality (Updated) company of heroes 2 lan updated
Version: Current Steam Build Status: Legacy Support Only
To appreciate the updated LAN functionality, you must understand the original problem. When Company of Heroes 2 launched, it used a hybrid networking model: The core of the update is the separation
This meant that if your internet went down, you could not play COH2 locally—even on a perfectly configured LAN. Furthermore, high-latency routes between two PCs sitting three feet apart would force the game to use a relay server 1,000 miles away.
For years, the community pleaded for a “LAN mode.” Official patches ignored the issue. Then, in late 2022 and through 2023, a combination of Steam Client updates and community-created launch parameters quietly revolutionized local play. To appreciate the updated LAN functionality, you must
If you want to play with friends on the same network today, you must use the "Custom Game" feature. Here is how it functions in the current version of the game: