Box Contents

The For the Emperor! Japanese Starter Army is a mix of plastic, metal and resin models containing:

• x7 Japanese Army Infantry sprues (42 Infantry) – Plastic
• Type 91 105mm Medium Howitzer – Metal
• Chi-Ha Medium Tank- Plastic
• Ho-Ro Assault Gun – Resin & Metal

The Infiltrator Support List

Breakdown

(x) denotes a vehicle-mounted weapon.

Notes and Analysis

The objective of this list is two-part – 1) use as much of the Starter Army as possible and 2) make a List that works at a competitive level. Please keep in mind, this List was written using only the contents of the Starter Army.

It’s been a long time coming – a new Starter Army for Imperial Japan for arrived! This box contains no fewer than 42 of the fantastic new plastic Japanese Army Infantry, two AFVs, and an artillery piece. This army list uses every single model in the box and comes in at 1,250pts on the dot with 15 Order Dice. Not only that, we are also making use of the SNLF, Veteran Jungle Fighter, and MMG options included within the the new plastic infantry kit.

At the high level, this list contains a core of small Infiltrator units supported by MMGs, Light Mortars, a single artillery piece and two AFVs. You have a this handful of roadblock/speedbump units with the sole purpose of frustrating your enemy while the rest of your force goes to work.

Let’s start with the Artillery. As the box includes a Medium Howitzer, we had no choice but to bring a minimal Artillery Platoon that includes one Platoon Commander and the Type 91 Medium Howitzer. Both Regular, both without upgrades. I’d certainly prefer a pair or Light Howitzers (especially the Mountain Gun version) over a single Medium, but we are making use of what we have. Make no mistake, a Medium Howitzer can do some serious, serious damage with that 3″ HE, but I like the versatility and tactical options provided by a pair of Light guns.

In direct support of the Artillery Platoon is the Armored Platoon. We’ve got the Chi-Ha as the Command Vehicle and the Ho-Ro to hold the back line. As the Chi-Ha will be the maneuver element and will more than likely find itself out alone, it was the easy pick to be the Command Vehicle. The Ho-Ro can stick with the Artillery Platoon PC if needed. I didn’t go with Lack of Radios but if you need an extra 10pts when you write up a Army List, it’s a great option. Somewhat frustratingly, both these AFVs have Howitzers, not AT Guns. You’ll notice this as an overall theme for Imperial Japan – minimal dedicated AT. Luckily we have a Suicide AT Team, but more on that later. Both the Chi-Ha and Ho-Ro should focus on enemy infantry and artillery but can be used to against enemy armor in a pinch. The d3 Pins can often do enough on their own to stop enemy vehicles. The Ho-Ro still hits with Pen +4, but you’d rather hit infantry with that whopping 4″ HE than a single vehicle target. Either way, use the insane Heavy Howitzer range and keep that Armor 7, Open-topped SPG well back from the enemy.

Let’s talk Heavy Weapons. The plastic Japanese Army Infantry kit includes plastic MMGs complete with tripod (more of these please) so we are going to slap together two Vet MMG Teams, both with SNLF (Iron Discipline) to make sure they keep firing. The PC also has SNLF (Iron Discipline) and two additional men with a Signaling Bugle. This PC is meant to keep close to your base of fire. That base being both MMGs and the SNFL Squad from the Rifle Platoon. That SNLF Squad includes a Type 89 Grenade Launcher and partnered with the Light Mortar Team, that’s two HE 1″ shots that can move and fire with a minimum range of just 6″ thanks to Low angle fire. Ideally, the MMGs will get setup with cover / dense terrain and the PC with the Signaling Bugle can stand behind the terrain to make sure the enemy has no LoS to the Bugle. Even if the MMGs take fire, Iron Discipline + the PC Morale boost will all but ensure they will keep firing without issue. The last unit in the Heavy Weapons Platoon is the Improvised Anti-Tank Team. Let’s set them to the side for now and will come back when we talk Infiltrators.

The fourth Platoon is the Rifle Platoon. We’ve already broken out the Light Mortar and SNFL Squad to support the base of fire. Another split is the Vet Platoon Commander and the IJA Infantry Squad with Veteran Jungle Fighters. These two squads will set in Outflank and wait to arrive at the opportune moment to put extreme pressure on any overextended enemy units. The PC provides a +2 Morale bonus for the Outflanking Order Test and the Veteran Jungle Fighters already have Behind Enemy Lines so you shouldn’t have any worries getting these two units onto the table. The PC may only be three men, but the Officer has a Shin Gunto and one man also has an SMG. That’s two Vet Tough Fighters in the squad. A perfect dart to throw at enemy weapons teams or Artillery.

Now let’s get into the Infiltrators. This army list has four units with Infiltrator. Starting with our two AT units. There is the Improvised Anti-Tank Team from the Heavy Weapons Platoon that’s a full five-man Vet squad with the Improvised Tank Hunters special rule. They might not be able to take down a Tiger II, but five Vets forward deployed is a frustrating roadblock for any enemy. In direct support is the Suicide AT Team. It’s just a lone 20pt model but this one is able to take down a Tiger II. Keep them in cover and wait. For the non-AT forward deployers we have a Forward Air Observer and the Sennyuu Infiltrator Team. Both units are Vet and maxed out with three and five men respectively. The FAO is armed with an SMG and once the call to bring in the airstrike has been made, can act as another roadblock to frustrate the enemy advance. The Sennyuu Infiltrator Team is another interesting unit. Five men, all Vet, all Tough Fighters. They are only armed with “pistols” but who cares? You want your opponent to assault these guys. They are going to be damn near impossible to remove with small arms as they hunker down in cover. Make your opponent charge you. You want to be assaulted so you can swing first (if you are in cover) and re-roll your misses in CQ.

The real issue for your opponent is the volume of Infiltrators. It’s not so much that these squads can go toe-to-toe with an dedicated assault elements, but the simple fact they are out there in a forward position means they must be delt with. And when your opponent focuses fire on an Infiltrator, they are not focusing fire on your own back line of support units. This Army List is designed to get onto objectives early and stay there. You have a lot of supporting fire to cover your own infantry and you only need a couple of assaults to go your way to take control of the battlefield and the game.

I’m impressed with this Starter Army. The new plastic infantry are excellent and my one wish is for more of them. 42 infantry may seem like a lot but those weapon teams add up quick! Another Light Mortar or two would be a great addition but you’d have to pull models from a MMG Team or one of the Infiltrator units and that’s not a comprise I wanted to make with this particular list. There are many other ways to build out your Imperial Japanese and I’m thrilled that so many of those options were included in this box.

What’s Next?

Thoughts and musings on where to go from here:

• Drop the Tanks add more Infantry – If I could build out my own Starter Army, I’d pull both the tanks out of the box and add at least two more sprues of infantry (there are six infantry on each sprue). Imperial Japan has so many unique, interesting, and powerful infantry units and even with 42 bodies in the box there are units that we still couldn’t build. Get more infantry!
• Light Artillery – As mentioned previously I’d much rather have two Light Artillery instead of one Medium. Even more so with the Imperial Japanese options for Mountain Guns, Armor-piercing shells and additional crew. The three-man crew can be a a bit of a soft target so adding more crew can greatly increase their staying power. Oh, and you can give Light Artillery Fieldcraft as well for some even more interesting opportunities.
• Transports – Imperial Japan has a some great transport options ranging from armored to Amphibious, wheeled and half-tracked. If you want some additional speed and another threat vector to support your Infiltrators and Outflankers, a transport is great pick.

– Andrew