The book just dropped and we’ve had just enough time to write a few from-the-hip hot takes. There’s no time to cover every unit entry, so we will focus on what jumped out. Take a look at the full Armies of the Soviet Union review for a more level-headed analysis.
HQ
SN-42 Body Armor Platoon Commander
Included in the Officer unit entry is the option to equip your Platoon Commander with SN-42 Body Armor if they are leading an Engineer Platoon. Multiple units of Body Armored Assault Engineers pressing forward led by a full five-man Body Armored PC squad all with SMGs is a terrifying (although expensive) prospect.
Commissar
Even if you don’t like the idea of shooting your own troops, it’s hard to ignore the power of a 15pt Order Die.
Infantry
Motorcycle Squad
One of the issues with Motorcycle Squads is once you fly up the table, you don’t have enough firepower to really do anything. Not so with the Soviets! Unlike the US and Germany, the Soviet Motorcycle Squad has the option for SMGs on any model. Sure it’s expensive. But that’s an SMG unit that can Run 24″ on Turn 1, and then Advance 12″ on Turn 2, hop off and unload at point-blank. Worth considering.
Tank Riders Squad
The only option for SN-42 Body Armor outside of an Engineer Platoon. Can be Reg or Vet and even have the option to hop aboard a tank and ride into combat. Great for a speedy Turn 1 move. Oh, they also all come with SMGs standard.
Tank Hunters Anti-tank Team
Up to four models, they can all take SMGs, has Infiltrator and can be Airborne/NKVD/Naval, one Panzerfaust and they swing twice in close-quarters against vehicles. This unit is fantastic. A Rifle Platoon with a couple Scout Squads and then a Heavy Weapons Platoon with three of these units is going to cause some real issues for your opponent.
Flamethrower Team
They have the option for SN-42 Body Armor. You love to see it.
Artillery
ZiS-3 Divisional Gun vs. M-42 and ZiS-2 ATGs
Prior to the release of AoSU: Third Edition, the ZiS-3 Division Gun was the undisputed king of Soviet artillery. An 85pt Med. AT Gun that could also fire as a Light Howitzer. That’s almost British 25-pdr levels of usability. But now two new challengers have entered the ring. The M-42 and ZiS-2 ATGs. Both the M-42 and ZiS-2 have Improved Ballistics and hit with and additional +1 Pen if the target is within half-range. That’s a Light ATG with Pen +5 within 24″ and a Med. ATG with Pen +6 within 30″ – tasty. These new options may lack the versatility of the ZiS-3, but they are both better than the competition at doing what they were designed to do: knocking out enemy armor.
MT-13 Mortar
Although a Mortar by name, the MT-13 is classified as an Artillery unit. At 100pts Reg, this “mortar” fires a 4″ HE Template at 12-72″. That 12″ minimum range (like a Mortar) is a massive boost in usability. Your typical Heavy Howitzer (4″ HE) has a 42″ minimum range for indirect fire. During your standard game played on a 4×6′ table, you’ll rarely, if ever, get a target outside of 42″. A Heavy Howitzer is 140pts standard. So, for 40pts less you get the same number of crew (5) and a much more effective indirect fire profile. There is no Gun Shield, but you never wanted this thing within LoS of the enemy anyway. Toss a Spotter on there for +10pts, plop the MT-13 behind some woods, and bring the rain.
Vehicles
The Bronekater – Soviet Riverine Craft
She’s back! This is no mere landing craft or assault boat; the Bronekater is a true “tank-ship” with weapons and armor to fit that description. At 225pts Reg this Armor 9 beast brings forth:
- Turret-mounted Med. AT Gun with co-ax MMG
- x3 turret-mounted MMGs (each in their own turret)
- Option to upgrade one MMG turret to a Med. AT Gun with co-ax MMG
- Replace on Med. AT Gun turret with a Multiple Launcher
- Upgrade any MMG Turret to a double-MMG, HMG, or a double-HMG
That is some serious firepower. And not only is she Armor 9, she’s Armored All Around and has a new special rule, Armored Gun Boat. With this rule, the first time the Bronekater takes damage, no matter what is rolled on the Damage Results Chart, it counts as a 1 so this monster will shrug off that first Glance or Pen no matter what. So what’s the issue? Well, it’s Waterborne and may only move in areas of Deep or Shallow Water. That’s fair. Guess it’s time to add a lake to my table.
Lend-Lease Vehicles
The Soviets have access to 15 US and British vehicles through Lend-Lease. Get yourself some red star decals and slap them on a swarm of pintle-HMG Bren Carriers!
Fast
The BT-5 and BT-5 have Fast now. Zoom zoom.
Tractor Factory T-34
16pts cheaper than the standard T-34/76 Medium Tank, the Tractor Factory T-34 is an iconic addition to the Army List. First introduced in Campaign: Stalingrad, this tank can only be taken as Inexp. and must choose one of three defects; No Optics, Hastily Repaired, or Factory Worker Crew:
- No Optics – The main gun suffers an additional -1 To Hit modifier.
- Ooof. You already have a -1 To Hit for being Inexp. so this bumps your base Fire Order up to a 6+ To Hit. And if you have a Pin? Now you are hitting on the dreaded 6 by 6.
- Hastily Repaired – Whenever this vehicle suffers Superficial Damage, it instead suffers Full Damage.
- Brutal. Front Armor 9+ is tough, but it’s not that tough.
- Factory Worker Crew – This unit must pass an Order Test to perform any action, even if it has no Pins.
- The only viable option. It’s a more punishing version of One-man Turret. Just make sure you keep a Platoon Commander nearby! You’ll need it.
But at the end of the day, the chance to paint your tank oxide red overrides any concerns regarding effectiveness on the table.
Quartermaster’s Stores
The Victory Banner
People’s Militia Squad, Commissar (don’t forge they can bring up to four additional men with them) and Officers all have the option to bring The Victory Banner to the field of battle. You can only bring one banner per force, so choose wisely for where you want to deploy it. An Inexp. Commissar with a single buddy waving The Victory Banner is not a great option. But a squad of 12 People’s Militia? Now we’re talking. It’s just so iconic Soviet WWII. How can you leave it at home?
Missing
Mechanized Infantry
By 1944 the Soviets have developed and mastered a system for Forward Detachments that lead the advance ahead of the main armor. A specialized unit entry to represent this force like the ones in the Forward Detachment Reconnaissance Party in Campaign: Fortress Budapest would have been a nice addition. Both Germany and the US have a unit with the Mechanized Infantry special rule and it’s sadly missing from AoSU.
More Unit Analysis & Hot Takes:
Chicago Dice 