I know that November has just begun, but I actually have started to think about my Christmas wish list. My family wants to be informed before they start buying the wrong gifts, after all. I want to ask for some SSU units to build a small army (200 points). As the number of units I can ask for is limited (about 4 to 6 sets depending on the cost of course), I have spent some time comparing the available unit cards and adding up numbers to find some options for armies. Grand’ma and Koshka are often included as I’ll certainly get Operation Zverograd for the rules and scenarios. Here are some lists I came up with:

Koshka 18
Close Combat Squad 28
Red Storm 21
Grand’ma 36
Natasha 32
Burner 65

Koshka 18
Close Combat Squad 28
Red Thunder 22
Grand’ma 36
Natasha 32
Death Rain 64

Yakov 30
Red Yana 20
Close Combat Squad 28
Red Storm 21
Grand’ma 36
Burner 65

Yakov 30
Red Yana 20
Close Combat Squad 28
Red Thunder 22
Grand’ma 36
Death Rain 64

Mao 85
Close Combat Squad 28
Red Storm 21
Grand’ma 36
Nadja 30

What do you think about these? Please remember that they don’t need to win tournaments, it’s just about getting a playable army out of a limited number of units. So should I choose one of these armies or something different? I know that for 65 points I could get Matrioshka or Winter Child instead of Burner, for example.
Thanks in advance for any comments and suggestions!

Thats quite a list. Were you naughty or nice?

The only thing I would say is defiantly get the hero pack close combat squad and comisars they make up a good core for any army.

Let me preface this by saying that I have very little experience with the SSU.

I would be very tempted to build my army around a Mao Zedong, just because it can handle itself against pretty much any threat.

Unfortunately, while I'd be tempted to get a Mao, I probably actually wouldn't do it.

It's just too big for most of the published scenarios. Plus, we still don't know what the rules for tracked vehicles are. They could end up being pretty crippling.

So, as cool as the Mao is, I'd avoid it.

Instead, I'd probably build my army around a Matrioshka. It's sturdy, and can ravage both armor and infantry. (My Axis forces are sure jealous of the 6 range on it's machine guns, too!)

I think that the Natasha would be a good complement to the Matrioshka. For 32 points, it's pretty cheap, and with it's two Howitzers + All in One, it will just rip apart infantry. I know you said that you'll probably get Grand'ma and Koshka from Zverograd, but that seems like a pretty inferior (and expensive) combo compared to the Natasha.

I'm a bit torn on whether to suggest a Ground Attack Helicopter or not. While they pack a hell of a wallop, their range sucks. Plus, while they're failry sturdy, the right unit (like Heavy Recon Grenadiers or Grim Reapers) can put them in a world of hurt pretty quick.

Hmm, with no chopper and no Mao, you're kind of lacking anti-air options. Actually, the Nastasia seems like it would work well in that role. Not only is it cheaper than a chopper, its machine guns outrange the guns on the chopper.

So, how about some infantry? I have to say, none of the SSU infantry appeal to me that much. Still, I'd probably go with a Red Thunder unit with the Karamzin commissar for extra anti-armor punch and a Fakyeli unit plus a Sumarokov commissar for some close combat devastation.

In summary, then,

Matrioshka

Natasha

Nastasia

Red Thunder + Karamzin

Fakyeli + Sumarokov

Which is 193 points. So, you could squeeze in an observer unit for an extra activation, if you wanted to.

mgentile7 said:

Depends on who you ask, I'd say. But I don't know if the list is actually as long as it looks. As I said, I'm trying to come up with obout 5 or 6 sets because I know that when November ends and December begins, several relatives will ask about possible presents for Christmas. Then I'll be able to tell them exactly what to get.

But whatever, I like to thank Dakkon and especially Kriegschatten for their input. From what I see, I should probably eliminate the Mao, the Attack Heli and Zverograd from my list. In fact, I'm a bit sad about Zverograd because I read several times about cool campaign included. The units positively mentioned so far are the SSU heavy walkers, "airborne" walkers and "normal" walkers as well as the heroes, Comissars and Fakyeli Close Combat squad. Any other suggestions?

??! said:

Good luck my friend. I hope you are at the top of the nice list !!!!

It's just me, but without using the helicopter, it certainly feels like you are missing a big part of SSU, although I personally don't play SSU so I am not sure.

I guess when you refer to sets, is there although a dollar limit? An SSU squad and the Zevograd campaign sets are each one sets but price differently. Same with attack helicopters which are more expansive.

Maybe you can consider getting the Helicopter transport for either the walker or infantry. They should give some flavor and you can use the helicopter transport to use with your close range assault squad.

I think 2 walkers, 1 helicopter and the rest just rounded out with infantry squad you like.

I was told this linked can show all the units cards and you can calculate points from there.

http://portlanddusttactics.blogspot.com/p/ssu-unit-cards.html

Thanks for answering, cloner4000. You are kind of right concerning the financial limit, although it's a Euro limit in fact. It's a question of knowing what to ask for first. After that, I can ask those relatives that are willing (and able) to buy rather expensive presents for the expensive sets and the others for the cheaper sets, squads for example. So my army list will have to be balanced between some expensive units and some rather cheap squads. In fact, for some time now I have been thinking about getting a helicopter, 2 walkers and 2 squads just as you have suggested.

For my friend we start with one Helicopter with Inf transport, Operation Zvergrad, Commisar squad, command squad, and Red Guard Assault squad. Was going to get the KV-47 walker but sold out so end up getting the Air transport with Walker .

Just in case anybody wants to know: I got Operation Zverograd, the Attack helicopter and the Close Combat squad for Christmas, plus enough money to buy another 3 or 4 units. Here comes my SSU army!