thatssoeffingcool wrote:Hi I just started playing flames of war with a friend of mine. we came from warhammer and have just been buying models. We have started playing a little bit but I still have some struggles with it. I bought into soviets and am in need of some help with strategy for them and things i should buy.
I have a few t-34s and two strelkovy companies and a few su-122's
I would love to know
[/list] What is the staple unit for the soviets?
[/list] How should I be using my infantry?
[/list] What is a combination I should be taking? How many tanks to infantry to artillery kind of thing?
[/list] are trucks useful? Should I be using them to transport my infantry?
[/list] are there specific books I should buy that are better for the soviets?
[/list] How best do I deal with the ridiculous armor with the germans?
[/list] Is it valuable to rush across the field with my superior numbers and try to get into hand to hand?
[/list] are there any specific units I should buy?
Thank you for your help I would really appreciate any and all response.
If you already have Strelkovy then your good on infantry, they are the backbone of most foot slogging lists. As far as tanks go I'm from the camp of massed T34/76's supported by T34/85's. Both are points cost effective and can overwhelm a lot of low model count German armor lists.
As far as using infantry, if your defending keep them dug in and create a huge bubble around your objectives. This makes it a headache for your opponent to get within 16 inches to keep most games going after turn 6, plus you'd have to lose a few rounds of close combat before you got pushed off the objective. When your attacking just keep pushing forward, you're going to lose a ton of guys but your Russians so that comes with the territory. Wear those casualties as a badge of honor!
Either go massed tanks or massed infantry. Combined arms is balanced but I think Soviets excel at going all out in one direction or the other. Arty support for your infantry is always a good choice. The Red God of War isnt the best thing to run but its a lot of fun.
I don't run trucks so I can't really say. But just based off the 5 + save you soldiers need to take if a truck explodes I don't think it be worth it.
The Red Bear book is gold, lots of lists and fun options. I think the only other late war option is Berlin. Mid war has some books too but I haven't played with them so someone else might be better to go over that.
Get 5 sappers for your strelkovy companies from the
HQ options. They are the best option you'll have vs their heavy tanks. If your playing as soviet tanks just push forward en mass and try to get side shots with your T34's. You're going to take a ton of casualties getting there but once you do the Germans won't be able to deal with the remaining tanks.
Soviets rush objectives better than anyone. You can take tons of casualties and keep moving with the 10 hits to pin you rule. Then the Komissars in each unit will keep you moving forward even when your numbers thin out. If you get into hand to hand with 1/3 of your guys your still going to out number whoever you assualt. The same goes for your tanks assaulting infantry.
For infantry get that 5 pack of sappers, a set of flamethrowers (Soviet flamers are awesome), and maybe some smg tank riders. For tanks load up on the T34's, they are good in any list. I like the ISU 152's a lot even though they aren't the best tank in the world but they have good armor and a solid gun even though its one shot. I've read some people rave about someof the SU and KV tanks but I don't have any so I can't really say.
I hope this helps you out a little bit. The cool thing about soviets is you get a lot of ways to play mass amounts of tanks and infantry, just find one that matches your play style and stick with it!
