The book is out, and with a few games under my belt, it’s time for some hot takes. I am not trying to to cover every unit entry, so let’s focus on what’s jumped out. Below are my hot takes, and these ideas are not fully baked.
Take a look at the full Armies of the British Commonwealth review for a more level-headed analysis.
Army Special Rules
Local Area Control and Scouts – East Africa Command
Goodness gracious, what a combo. You can split your force into a classic hammer and anvil deployment. The anvil is your Scout Platoon (all pre-deploying up the table as Infiltrators) supported by Heavy Weapons and/or Artillery Platoons deploying as standard. Then, your hammer swings in the form of Outflanking Nigerian Chindit and/or Commando units arriving off your opponent’s long table edge. Yes, it’s a gimmick. Yes, it gets shut down immediately if you play against Hungarians or Partisans. Yes, the mission could state “No Outflanking or Infiltrators allowed”, and it all goes bust. But that’s the risk we take playing such a niche force.
Mountain Experts – India
Any Indian Infantry units may be upgraded to have Fieldcraft for +1pt per model. So no cap or restrictions on what is possibly the best unit special rule in the game? Say less.
HQ
Jungle Division Officer – Australia
There are a few special HQ units within the book, but none are more potent than the Jungle Division Officer. This Platoon (or Company) Commander can be given Infiltrator at +2pts per model, no matter how many men are in the unit. So let’s add all five additional men and give them all SMGs. That’s six Infiltrating, SMG Vets who can begin the game Hidden and on Ambush. That’s how you lead from the front.
Native Military Corps Medic – South Africa
The first, and only, unique Medic unit. The NMC Medic comes with the Run to Danger special rule, meaning the unit can react to enemy fire that targets a friendly unit with 12″. If they do, you move the NMC Medic as close as possible to the target friendly unit before the enemy commences firing, so you’ll have the 6+ Medic save. Big fan of cinematic special rules like this.
Infantry
First Special Service Squad – “The Devil’s Brigade” – Canada
It’s an Infantry Squad that can bring an embedded Bazooka! And the Bazooka can split fire from the rest of the squad. Sadly, you can only bring one Bazooka per Platoon, but wow, what a great option. These dudes are expensive (16pts per model), and the Bazooka ain’t cheap either. But can you put a price on how badass this squad is? No. I think not.
Nigerian Chindit Section
The “superior” Chindit for the same cost! Another expensive elite Infantry unit, the Nigerian Chindits have all the same rules and options as standard Chindits – with one exception. Unlike other Chindit units, when Nigerian Chindits are in Ambush, they are granted Stubborn. A nice little bonus. Oh, and because of Scouts, you can give them Infiltrator. And because of Local Area Control, they can Outflank from the opponent’s own table edge. May bad on the one exception; there are many.
Vehicles
Captured Renault R35, M11/39 and M13/40 – Australia
The Australians have no less than three captured vehicle options. And, unlike captured vehicles in other Army Lists, these can be taken as Regs. And that’s something you will want to do because Unreliable is a brutal rule, and you do not want that on an Inexp. vehicle. These may not be the most powerful or effective choice, but what a fantastic opportunity for hobby. More of this please.
M4A1 Sherman Skink – Canada
My god. The Skink first appeared in Campaign: British & Canadian Sectors, but not like this. The original unit entry had Easily Catches Fire, Limited Numbers (you could never have more than one in your force), and Experimental (must always take an Order Check, even if no Pins). But not anymore! The only special rule this Skink has is Flak. For 245pts Reg you get a Quad Light Autocannon on an Armor 9 fully-enclosed hull with no limitations or negative rules. Terrifying.
Bob Semple Tank – New Zealand
Say it with me: Bob. Semple. Tank. You can bring a full Armored Platoon of five Bob Semples for 210pts. What more could you ask for?
Marmon-Herrington Armored Cars with Fire-Belt Action – South Africa
Almost a “hidden” Army Special Rule, Fire-Belt Action allows Marmon-Herrington ACs to unleash their MGs at full rate of fire. And that includes the Mk I-III, Turretless version, which packs 18 MMG shots if given the pintle. Sure, it’s only during a Fire order given by the Command Vehicle’s Snap To, but that’s just the fine print. You’ll be able to set up some withering crossfire with a pair of these zipping around the table.
Quartermaster’s Stores
Not Hot. It’s a sad state of affairs. We had the chance for some unique equipment options for each Commonwealth nation, but instead we got a repeat of the existing Quartermaster’s Stores from AoGB.
More Hot Takes
Australia – Hot
So you like Infiltrator units do ya? Jungle Division Officers, one Jungle Division Infantry Section, two Papuan Infantry Battalion Sections, and one five-man Infantry Section (per Aggressive Patrolling) can all be upgraded to Jungle Fighters (Infiltrators plus Hidden and Ambush deployment) or Infiltrator. That’s three Infantry units of up to ten men, one up to five, and an Officer with up to six additional men, all with Infiltrator. Oh, and you can deploy all of them before your opponent is allowed to deploy their own Infiltrator units. And any of the Jungle Fighter units can deploy Hidden. In Ambush. Before Turn 1.
Canadians – Hot
Just all the Heavy Weapons. They have access to HMG Teams and the option for squad-embedded Bazookas. HMG pintles for any vehicle with a turret. Flamethrowers can be added to non-Engineer Rifle Sections. The Skink. The Canadians bring all the toys.
East Africa Command – Hot
Oh you thought Australians could Infiltrate? How about an entire Rifle Platoon of Infiltrators and another Rifle Platoon of Outflankers arriving from the enemy table edge? And we are also going to deploy in Ambush. And while on Ambush, they have Stubborn. And one last thing, every Infantry and Artillery unit (except for HQs) has Tough Fighter – for free.
More Unit Analysis & Hot Takes:
