Good review, thanks. Not sure how I feel about the separate card packs as having most of them from previous versions, it feels a pain if just for one or two new items. Such is their marketing strategy I suppose.
Their policy of not including unit cards in platoon boxes made this an issue. Otherwise you could just buy the new platoon sets and get the cards along with the product. The shift away from including unit cards still burns my shorts, but that's what they've chosen to do going forward...
While i understand this can be a cost saving measure, especially for units that are used for multiple nations, i still disagree with the decision. My opinion is, that some gaming aids (like unit cards) should be provided in a digital form anyway: 1. less waste, let people print them or let them use a digital copy. (i'm looking at a stack of 6 mini rulebooks, soon to be 7, dont tell me this is not waste, both energy and paper?) 2. even if not provided for free, add a code to the rulebook, that people can use to redeem them. Tabletop gaming is an expensive hobby anyway... I will personally use a photocopy using the nations rulebook, for the unit cards i don't own.
Yeah. My East German opponent whittled most of the rest of my force down, but ran out of things to finish the Challengers off with. But I foresee some SU-22s in his future...
I loved Twilight 2000 back in the day. It had all the Cold War gone hot flavour. But I looked at the rules again recently and the mechanics of the actual rules are terrible! Same with the old Harpoon naval miniatures game. Either I used to be smarter, or gaming has moved on a long way since those games were designed.
I like the addition of the Su-17 and have been considering fielding a Czech army as I love the Dana and Rm70. A bit disappointed with some other vehicles that could of been released and hoped they might add Hungary to the book but maybe they will be in a future Balkans book!! But overall I am just glad this awesome game is getting the attention it deserves.
This is awesome since Team Yankee and Flames both have started picking up steam again in my local group. I've been thinking about finally getting a warpact army, I think i'm gonna do East Germans
Always a great review! I would think a good use for the T-55's would be suppression of enemy infantry. Not many missiles in a platoon and the T-55 has two Mg's? T-55 used as a bullet sponge in the front rank? Mixed in with the T-72's as an anti-aircraft bonus? FOW you could always use the T-55's in your AIW. Adam
Superb work as usual, but i fell here it happens a bit like in the more than recomendable RTS “wargame: red dragon” that blue/nato forces were very diverse but red/warsaw pact all was made of the same kind of units and was quite monotonous.
Not mentioned were the already available unique Czechoslovak units, the Dana truck mounted auto loading 152mm gun system and the OT 64 armoured car. (Some available to the East Germans and polish). But I get your point
The Warsaw Pact nations do get some unique units. It is their unique flavour that makes them attractive to play. I didn’t cover some of the unique units like Dana and OT-64 because they are not new releases for this wave. I made the choice to focus on the newer units, or existing support choices that had become available.
@@FogofWar yes i understand, but for sure nato nations are going to get more kind of flavor, for example if their add Italy or Spain, you have very nice unique units but if you try to expand pact forces what is left, Romania, Bulgary? Maybe im getting a bit ignorant but those army were all soviet vehicles.
@@perreterecon possibly if we get a Yugoslavia expansion, with its mix of obsolete WW2 era American lend lease, Soviet imports and domestic production. Not entirely sure what good an M18 is going to be against Abrams. But probably get lots of them.
Not sure why they have not included 2 x PKM LMG team with the infantry. If it was included it would allow you to field the contents of this box as a BMP Shock Motor Rifle Company, or a Red Banner BMP Motor Rifle Company. This is a stupid decision by Battlefront. You cannot buy the PKM LMG teams separately. I’m not sure if the Pact lists omit the PKM LMG but as a Soviet player this box is not really much good. It contains the absolute minimum number of BMP’s and Infantry teams you need to field a very badly under-strength Battalion.
The Kaiser would tell you to buy two boxes... But not having the PKM is an issue. I nicked mine out of the hard plastic box set from the PSC Soviet infantry kit.
Good review, thanks. Not sure how I feel about the separate card packs as having most of them from previous versions, it feels a pain if just for one or two new items. Such is their marketing strategy I suppose.
Agreed...🤔😭
Their policy of not including unit cards in platoon boxes made this an issue. Otherwise you could just buy the new platoon sets and get the cards along with the product. The shift away from including unit cards still burns my shorts, but that's what they've chosen to do going forward...
While i understand this can be a cost saving measure, especially for units that are used for multiple nations, i still disagree with the decision.
My opinion is, that some gaming aids (like unit cards) should be provided in a digital form anyway:
1. less waste, let people print them or let them use a digital copy. (i'm looking at a stack of 6 mini rulebooks, soon to be 7, dont tell me this is not waste, both energy and paper?)
2. even if not provided for free, add a code to the rulebook, that people can use to redeem them.
Tabletop gaming is an expensive hobby anyway...
I will personally use a photocopy using the nations rulebook, for the unit cards i don't own.
@@el-cee The cards are already provided with forces, just need to print them
Great review! Looking forward to those T-72s.
Me too! I hope mine ship soon!
More AT options will be welcome, with the Supertanks being added to the game with recent releases. Challengers can shake off a lot of AT-21!
Yeah. My East German opponent whittled most of the rest of my force down, but ran out of things to finish the Challengers off with. But I foresee some SU-22s in his future...
Twilight 2000 by GDW was the master war RPG. Its where I learned a bradley from a BMP back in the day lol.
I loved Twilight 2000 back in the day. It had all the Cold War gone hot flavour. But I looked at the rules again recently and the mechanics of the actual rules are terrible! Same with the old Harpoon naval miniatures game. Either I used to be smarter, or gaming has moved on a long way since those games were designed.
I like the addition of the Su-17 and have been considering fielding a Czech army as I love the Dana and Rm70. A bit disappointed with some other vehicles that could of been released and hoped they might add Hungary to the book but maybe they will be in a future Balkans book!! But overall I am just glad this awesome game is getting the attention it deserves.
The Fitters are lovely, but the kit is a bit of a handful to build. Review coming soon!
Great review… yes that BMP box is not as sexy but we finally get a value box for a BMP list … that’s something that we have been needing for a while
An economical way to buy bulk BMPs is always welcome.
This is awesome since Team Yankee and Flames both have started picking up steam again in my local group. I've been thinking about finally getting a warpact army, I think i'm gonna do East Germans
Good luck with your East Germans!
It looks great and I want it all!
That's always a problem, isn't it!
With the addition of songster missiles, out past 16 inches you can deny your opponents an armor bonus even while moving.....I like it.
I always forget the missile can be fired on the move. And being HEAT makes it as effective over 16 inches as the gun round due to the armour bonus.
Tempted by the T-72 starter box, but won't have much use for the T-55's so still on the fence. That ERA does look nice.
I have someone to pass the T-55s on to. Or I can use them in 'Nam, I suppose...
There is a sigh in my wallet... 😁
I am lookings foward to everything which makes my upcoming chzech army stronger.
My wallet had to endure some pain too, so I understand. But looking forwards to some T-72Bs.
Both of these new army box starter sets will also be great for developing an Iraqi or Syrian force for Oil Wars. What a way to jump start new army’s.
They do look like pretty versatile box sets!
Always a great review! I would think a good use for the T-55's would be suppression of enemy infantry. Not many missiles in a platoon and the T-55 has two Mg's? T-55 used as a bullet sponge in the front rank? Mixed in with the T-72's as an anti-aircraft bonus? FOW you could always use the T-55's in your AIW.
Adam
Good advice Adam!
PACT life.
You don't choose the PACT life - it chooses you!
Superb work as usual, but i fell here it happens a bit like in the more than recomendable RTS “wargame: red dragon” that blue/nato forces were very diverse but red/warsaw pact all was made of the same kind of units and was quite monotonous.
Not mentioned were the already available unique Czechoslovak units, the Dana truck mounted auto loading 152mm gun system and the OT 64 armoured car. (Some available to the East Germans and polish). But I get your point
The Warsaw Pact nations do get some unique units. It is their unique flavour that makes them attractive to play. I didn’t cover some of the unique units like Dana and OT-64 because they are not new releases for this wave. I made the choice to focus on the newer units, or existing support choices that had become available.
@@FogofWar yes i understand, but for sure nato nations are going to get more kind of flavor, for example if their add Italy or Spain, you have very nice unique units but if you try to expand pact forces what is left, Romania, Bulgary? Maybe im getting a bit ignorant but those army were all soviet vehicles.
@@perreterecon possibly if we get a Yugoslavia expansion, with its mix of obsolete WW2 era American lend lease, Soviet imports and domestic production. Not entirely sure what good an M18 is going to be against Abrams. But probably get lots of them.
@@rorythomas9469 that would be nice, yugoslavia also had quite nice domestic vehicles that look like a mix between west and east.
you "Dread to see the number of T-55s" yet the prior East German book had them 10 for 7 points.
I must have missed that. The only list I found in the previous book was T55AM2s at 16 points for 10. But as I say, I’m not an expert on Soviet allies.
Did it?
@@FogofWar yes 3 T-55s were 2 points, the HQ was 1. 2 +2 +2 +1 = 10 T-55s for 7. its a travesty that has finally after ONLY what 4 years? Been fixed.
@@MattVarnish1103 so no more 3 55AM2 for 3 points crap?
@@Based_Lord_Humongous Thats right, 5 tank minimum now. THANK GOD.
Not sure why they have not included 2 x PKM LMG team with the infantry. If it was included it would allow you to field the contents of this box as a BMP Shock Motor Rifle Company, or a Red Banner BMP Motor Rifle Company.
This is a stupid decision by Battlefront. You cannot buy the PKM LMG teams separately. I’m not sure if the Pact lists omit the PKM LMG but as a Soviet player this box is not really much good. It contains the absolute minimum number of BMP’s and Infantry teams you need to field a very badly under-strength Battalion.
The Kaiser would tell you to buy two boxes... But not having the PKM is an issue. I nicked mine out of the hard plastic box set from the PSC Soviet infantry kit.