I've just ordered Dust Tactics and I have a couple of questions that I hope someone might be able to answer.
1. If I wanted to add/create a SSU group to add to the core set, what would I need to get?
2. I've seen people recommend adding the "command" element to the game--what add-ons do they mean?
Before answering your first question. I need to ask you a couple:
- Did you buy the original or the Revised core set?
- Do you mean, what SSU units should you buy to have a force equivalent to that of the other factions you currently own?
As for Nr. 2, they are talking about buying the Command Squads, which introduce a number of interesting abilities and strategies to the game.
Thanks for the quick reply. I've ordered the Revised core set and I'm looking to put together an SSU unit that's equivalent to those that come with that set.
Which command squads would you recommend?
I have only played with the normal Command Squads, and I would very much recommend those. The new Heavy Command Squads are very cool as well, but I don't think they change the game up as much.
Now let me see what would be an SSU army sorta similar to the Revised Set forces:
- One KV-47 Walker box (this will be more powerful than the others' light walker, but the lack of heavy troops might balance it out)
- SSU Hero Pack (you need a hero, this pack gives you 3 to chose from)
- SSU Close Combat Squad
- SSU Battle Squad
- SSU Rifle Squad
Alternatively you could swap the KV-47 box and Hero Pack for the Zverograd Expansion, which would give you 1 walker and 1 hero. Though it might be a bit problematic that it's a hero that you shouldn't be attaching to any squad.
You're a diamond. Thanks.
The Zverograd expansion with the Hero and her walker would probably be a good bet, plus you get a building. Everything else loophole master is great advice. The SSU also has a command squad so if you add them to the Axis and Allies don't forget the SSU one.
As I said, the problem with Zverograd is that you would be stuck with a hero that simply doesn't work attached to a squadron. Koshka can only be remotely worth her point if deploying her inside her walker. So while your Revised Set opponents will have a hero-bolstered squad, you probably won't. I'm not saying the SSU would be underpowered, though, as Babushka with Koshka will kick the Blackhawk or Hans' asses every time, but it just won't be equivalent.
Personally I see the Helicopters as the SSU's light walkers right now, but we shall need to wait for the cards to make any conclusions.
But at the same time you also create a force that plays differently then either the Axis or Allies, is it a good thing or bad thing no idea, but it is going to be one of the ways the SSU plays early on, depending how long it takes to get the SSU hero box. It's also one of the reasons the SSU gets the Commissar squads to help bolster their lack of heroes who are usful in squads IMO. I would think the SSU squads are in the 24 to 27 APs range give or take. Their med walkers will be about Babushka's cost I imagine, but it's all guesses off of what the squads are equipiped with in compare to similar squads and cards they have shown in the previews. The best bet would possibly be waiting until at least the SSU wave 2, and then getting 130 APs of SSU.
Yeah, the problem in creating a 130AP USS army is the walker. It will be a while until you see a 22-24AP russian walker. And I don't think the choppers will be quite the light walker equivalent...
I totally agree, until the SSU gets a light, you might have to just use a slightly different force with the SSU, but if you plan to add the command squads then adding a medium walker to the Axis and Allies might be a good idea, to get artillery, the added units would make it easier to design a equal SSU force of 160 to 200 AP or so.
Since I will be playing with two of my sons, do you think we will be able to play a three way battle or scenario?
Not sure if FFG is going to make any three player scenarios, I have played three player games, they usually work better as objective games, with points as a tiebreaker. It may just take some creative planing between you and your sons.