A.k.a. "Crunchies", infantry units come in two broad types, "mounted" and "dismounted". In addition, these units have two unique methods of concealment.

Types

Mounted Infantry

These ride in the backs of Personnel Carriers (except CO, XO and FO units).

Troops can be dismounted with the U command, and told to mount with the Shift-U keypress. Scenario designers may now alter the equipment loadout of mounted troops in the mission editor by selecting the carrying vehicle and choosing "Unload troops" from the right-click context menu (rev. 2.640). Additionally, altered ammunition loadouts when used with the global "For all other current units:" check boxes will apply to all other mounted infantry units as well. Units unmodified by either method will continue to carry their default equipment (please see the technical pages of the PCs for hints on the squad's armament).

While the player is in the vehicle commander’s position (F7) the troops will mount/dismount only on direct command (Shift+U and U). In the external observer’s position (F8) however the procedure will be automatized to avoid unintentional separations of troops and their supporting transport vehicle (rev. 2.448).

If a player in the vehicle's position presses W or X to move out while troops are mounting to that vehicle, then the mounting will be cancelled as well. This will happen only when a player is manually driving the vehicle, so giving the vehicle a new route won't stop the mounting of troops (rev. 2.538).

Vehicles will now automatically move towards the troops that they are loading (if beyond approximately 25 meters) (rev. 2.538). Vehicles in emplacements will now remain stationary while loading troops; if you don’t want the troops to cross open ground, the vehicles need to be moved to a new location first (rev. 2.538).

It is now possible to split squads into two teams/half-squads, e.g. a fire team and an assault team. The B team of dismounted infantry now carries an MG3 or M2HB .50cal (rev 2.640).

The vehicle icons at the bottom of the 3D view will show purple when there are troops loaded and gray otherwise (rev 2.395). While loading and unloading troops, the vehicle icon in the F1 view will now blink in magenta and grey (rev. 2.441).

For dismounted troops the hotkey (F7) will now give the squad leader’s point of view (rev. 2.448).

Finally, dismounted infantry may be equipped with an Unmanned Ground Vehicle.

Dismounted

Rifle Platoon
AGL team
Missile team
HMG team
FO team

Concealment

Ground cover

Infantry will now find cover in any terrain, depending on the Bumpiness value of the applied terrain theme for each given terrain type. With bumpiness "0" – the default for old scenarios – dismounted soldiers won't have cover. At 100% bumpiness they will disappear. The controlling player of a dismounted squad will still see them somewhat elevated to make it easier to see the location of his own soldiers (rev 2.460).

Buildings

Infantry may take position in bunkers, or may occupy buildings. Place a waypoint with "Defend" tactics near a bunker (preferably at the rear) and infantry should occopy it.

(rev. 2.403) Computer controlled units will now properly engage troops inside of buildings with HE or HEAT ammunition where this is available and useful

(rev. 2.395) Troops will no longer seek cover unless given an SB battle position with Hold, Defend or Guard tactics. As before,

• Hold and Defend will also cause the troops to go inside nearby buildings.

• Guard will cause them to stay outside nearby buildings. If there are no nearby buildings they will look for cover in nearby woods.

• Having "no tactic" or Stay tactics will result in the troops not looking for any cover and so staying where they are.

• Note that if you click on a unit icon at the bottom of the 3D view and order the troops to a new position the waypoint at the end of the new route will have no BP ("none" tactics) unless you use the "assault to" order. So, if you want the troops to move to a spot and go into a nearby building or find cover, use "assault to." If you want the troops to NOT go in a building nor find cover, use another movement order such as "advance to" or "retreat to."

(rev. 2.440) Troops will now enter buildings only on "Hold" orders to allow better control about their autonomous positioning

Depending on their current tactics, they may occupy different floors of the building (or may not enter at all):

Miscellaneous

In the current version of Steel Beasts, the general range of small arms fire has been set to 600 meters.