Field Maneuvers: Issuing Orders in the Command Phase

The Field Maneuvers segment covers my thoughts on how to best use the rules of Dust Warfare to get the most out of your army and play the best game you can.  Much of what I cover reveals my play style and my general ideas about how Dust Warfare works.  Like anyone, I make mistakes, and I still pretty new to both Dust Warfare and war gaming in general.  Additionally, most of the games I have played have been against players that I myself have taught the game.  These players largely have not read any of the rules so, if I am doing something wrong they are not likely to catch it.

Unit Inspection: Axis Gorrilas

Fast, tough and powerful all describe the Kampfaffe or war gorilla.  With the dwindling numbers of soldiers the Axis bloc has experimented with gorillas to bolster their numbers.  Many of the experiments fail, however, the Axis Gorillas are these experiments successes.  Because of their greater size and toughness than human beings, Axis Gorillas are Solider 3 (S3).

Unit Inspection: Axis Light Panzer Walker

The Light Panzer Walker is smallest of the Axis vehicles to date, however, they can be devastating to those who would underestimate them.  Included in this category are: I-A “Heinrich”, I-B “Hermann”, and I-C “Hans.”  Each a very affordable Vehicle 3 (V3) at a cost of 20 Army Points for the Heinrich/Hermann models and 25 for the Hans.

Platoon/Unit upgrades: SSU

I really like the way that Dust Warfare handles upgrades both at the platoon and unit level.  I like the idea of having them but also only allowing the one as to not add convoluted play to the game.  Unfortunately, I like the general concept behind platoon and unit upgrades not all upgrades are equal or even very useful.

I going to take some time to give my opinions on all of the current platoon and unit upgrades available to the Sino-Soviet Union.  I will access my value of each and give suggestions to get the most out of each one.

Unit Inspection: Axis Zombies

Soldiers in the Blutkruez (Bloody Cross) are often injected with the highly controversial Wiederbelebungseserum or “once again revived serum.”   This serum can bring back the recently dead to a sort of unlife.  Most never regain any sibilance of who they were barely able know the difference between friend and foe.  Yet, in their desperation for more soldiers, the Axis have given these not dead but not quite alive things powerful panzer gloves capable of ripping through the toughest of armor.  Both the Allies and the SSU troops greatly fear these barely human weapons of war.

Starting Dust Warfare: The SSU

Getting started in miniature war gaming can become pricey.  While Dust Warfare is on the cheaper end of the spectrum, you may not have all the money to buy every unit available for your chosen block.  I know I haven’t.  In this article, I will try to help you get you going on a fairly balanced, flexible army list for the SSU.  Of course, you will need the Dust Warfare Core Rulebook and I strongly suggest the Campaign Book: Zverograd as it has the lion’s share of the SSU units within its pages as well as the aircraft rules.  I will also be sticking only to the units listed in the pages of Zverograd as well.  If you really need cut costs, you can avoid or least put off purchasing the Campaign Books: Hades and Icarus.  Their are a few good SSU units in there as some other good stuff but they are not absolutely needed to play.

Unit Inspection: SSU KV47-Aero Walker and MIL MI-46 Walker Transport

Made of lighter, and therefor, less durable materials than the sturdier, less expensive standard KV47 Walkers, each of the three specifications of the Aero Walker are offensive powerhouses in their own right.  Unfortunately, few these walkers need rapid transport during a battle.  Nor do they have the capability to be true drop walkers that can be truly effective behind enemy lines.  Further frustrating commanders, is their high Army Point cost when combined with a Walker Transport Chopper and the all-so-valuable support slot just to give these walkers this ability.

Unit Inspection: Allies “Death Dealers” Ranger Weapon Squad

Armed with the widest variety of weapons of any Allied unit in the core rulebook, the Death Dealers are equally capable of taking on both infantry and armor with decent success and a decent cost of Army Points. They even can harm aircraft, just don’t expect them to shoot one down. As the Allies Soldier 2 unit of the Dust Tactics Revised Core Set, many beginning players are likely to have them in their first few army lists.  I think they work well for that as they have the wide variety of weapons for new players to discover whether they want more machine guns (i.e. Recon Boys) or Bazookas (i.e. The Gunners) added to their infantry.