what do medals do?

[gonavy21]

so I just got this game and I'm loving it so far. I'm playing the initial campaign and I was wondering if the medals that you get do anything for the unit. I know how hero's help since the game tells you but I don't see what getting the different level iron cross medals do. If anyone could offer some advice I would appreciate it. On a side not can you change the difficulty level in the middle of a campaign? Like if for example I start on lieutenant can I upgrade to colonel after a few scenarios?

[MartyWard]

I think between scenarios you can change difficulties. Look on the screen that tell you what type of result you achieved and see if there is a settings tab.

[Tarrak]

MartyWard is right. You can change difficulty settings after you finished any scenario in the campaign. When you finish a scenario there will be the outcome screen and on it you should see a button called "difficulty" which allows you to change the settings. If you don't see the button there make sure to patch the game to the newest version.

Regarding the medals. They are just flavor itself and do not give any advantages but as well as heroes they are awarded for a certain amount of kills so no heroes without medals.

[gonavy21]

Thanks for the quick response guys. Is there a chart somewhere that tells you how to get certain heroes or is it just random?

[Tarrak]

Thanks for the quick response guys. Is there a chart somewhere that tells you how to get certain heroes or is it just random?

No problem always glad to help out if i can.

Usually heroes are random. They get awarded within predefined amount of kills, which can vary from campaign to campaign. Every unit can have up to three heroes. In some campaigns, mainly the Grand Campaign but as well Afrika Korps, some units appear with predefined special heroes set by the designers. This are usually named after famous WW2 heroes and have special stats which often exceeds the normal heroes by far. There are quite a few threads about them but sadly i can't find any comprehensive and complete list. If you interested to read more about the special heroes just search the forums for "special heroes".

[wargovichr]

Oh, go ahead...make the game more interesting!
Grant medal awardees over-boosted ammo or award them an upgrade of equipment, or repair of damage or something of the sort.

[captainjack]

Maybe the turn you get a medal you should get or an additional strength point for free, or an automatic full resupply.

On heroes,
I'd love +1 ammo in place of spotting artillery or for initiative in strat bombers.
If you can have +1 range in place initiative for artillery this should be possible.