Last month, we announced the release of a new playable faction for Dust Tactics, the Sino-Soviet Union (SSU). Today, we are thrilled to announce more reinforcements for the SSU, and a welcomed addition for Allied commanders. The SSU Specialists, SSU Rifle squad, and also the SSU Hero Pack join the SSU forces. Meanwhile, the Allies gain a new Medium Combat Walker that can be deployed in two awesome variants: the Cobra and the Rattler.

The latest additions

The soldiers of the SSU have a strong affinity for sniper rifles. In fact, the SSU fields their snipers in pairs rather than teamed with a spotter. This gives the SSU Sniper Team more raw firepower than the Axis or Allies sniper teams. Softening the enemy front and even damaging walkers, the SSU Sniper Team is a valuable addition to any SSU force.


SSU Specialists with SSU Oberver team (left) and SSU Sniper Team (right)


Directing artillery is the main purpose of the SSU Observer Team. These two man units find and relay the positions of vulnerable targets to the SSU’s biggest and most destructive guns. Many generals have cursed their lack of foresight for ignoring these seemingly harmless squads in favor of more obvious threats, a mistake most do not live long enough to make twice.

Accomplished longshots

Picking off opponents from afar, the SSU Rifle Squad uses two Widowmaker rifles rather than the assault weapons like flamethrowers or heavy machine guns. The advantage of reach can be pivotal on the battlefield, and the SSU Rifle Squad can engage many enemies before they are in range to return fire.


SSU Rifle Squad


Far from defenseless in a close-quarters battle this squad unleashes their light machine guns in order to rip apart foes that get too close. The grizzled soldiers that make up the SSU Rifle Squad are prepared for any battlefield situation.

The heroes of the SSU

The SSU Hero Pack introduces three exceptional heroes to lead the forces of the SSU into battle. Yakov Pavlov is well known for his leadership on the battlefield. In fact, he is the first Legendary Tactician in Dust Tactics. In addition, his Acid Thrower melts any soldier or vehicle that stands in his way on the battleground.

SMERSH agent Red Yana is an extraordinary fighter. When she has an advantage in a battle, she knows how to capitalize on it, carrying out relentless assaults. Brandishing a Grenade Launcher, she is quite capable of leading a squad in an absolutely devastating offensive.

One of the rising stars of the SSU, distinguished tank commander Nikolaï is a crack shot. Although some walkers may be tougher or more agile than his, no pilot can match his uncanny marksmanship. When Nikolaï engages an enemy walker, it’s a safe bet that the enemy will be reduced to a mere pile of scrap.


Nikolaï, Yakov, and Red Yana


Great strides

Two new walkers are available in the MCW M3 expansion. To combat airborne threats, the Allies have developed the Rattler, a Medium Walker that fulfills an anti-aircraft role. The 40mm AA gun has abundant reach, and this tank also has ample anti-troop capabilities. The pilots of the Rattler must have superior reflexes in order to ground flying threats, and they receive ample training reacting to rapidly changing combat conditions.


Cobra (left) and Rattler with Amphibious Unit Upgrade (right)


Mounting a large Phaser weapon to a walker produces an intimidating creation. The Cobra is that creation, and it is utterly destructive. While Phaser technology can be somewhat unpredictable, when a blast from the Cobra’s 180 Watt Phaser Gun hits its target, the value of this advanced weapon cannot be denied. No doubt Axis and SSU commanders will be well aware of this electrifying walker.

Additionally, the MCW M3 expansion comes with pontoons to convert either walker variant into an Amphibious Unit. These units can move over land and water with ease, giving the Allies a new advantage in the global conflict.

These new expansions offer SSU and Allied commanders new paths to victory. Remember, these units, and all of the Dust Tactics units, can be used in the upcoming Dust Warfare. These new Dust Tactics units will be available in the second quarter of 2012, after the initial SSU expansions detailed in the previous Dust Tactics announcement article. Check back next month to see the devastating new Axis walker!

Noir wrote:Announcing Campaign Book Zverograd for Dust Warfare. Yup, thats right the first expansion for Warfare, now all we need is a release date for Warfare . Let just hope it comes out the day the SSU are released.

plastictrees wrote:a game with only three factions. Will there be a fourth faction of aliens or am I thinking of some other game?

Hekal Xul wrote:

Noir wrote:Announcing Campaign Book Zverograd for Dust Warfare. Yup, thats right the first expansion for Warfare, now all we need is a release date for Warfare . Let just hope it comes out the day the SSU are released.

Two books slated for release within the space of a couple of months, awesome.. Was thinking perhaps Zverograd would be slated more as a DT campaign release so this is welcome news.

With enemies on all sides, the SSU engages in many military operations. While their alliances are few, their numbers are many. The development of Sino-Soviet war machines has already left a smoldering mark on the face of the war, and their progressive designs remain on the cutting edge of modern combat technology.
-Operation “Zverograd”

The invasion continues! The Sino-Soviet Union makes its striking entrance into Dust Warfare in the Campaign Book “Zverograd” supplement. Inside this book, commanders will find a description of the SSU’s history, a platoon list to compose SSU armies, and rules for an exciting campaign set in the doomed city of Zverograd. Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to announce Campaign Book “Zverograd,” the first supplement for Dust Warfare. This supplement arrives in the second quarter of 2012.

Dust Warfare is a tabletop miniatures game set in the same universe as Dust Tactics. Use all of your highly detailed Dust Tactics miniatures in this game of large-scale, strategic engagements. If you are already have a Dust Tactics army, all you will need to field it in Dust Warfare is the Core Rulebook, and the Campaign Book “Zverograd,” if you plan to field an SSU force. Future campaign books will add new units for all of the Dust Warfare factions, as well as new campaigns to test your skill as a commander.

The History of the Red Army

The SSU is engaged in multiple conflicts all over the globe. No other faction has suffered as many losses as the SSU, but they persevere, seeking vengeance on the enemies that inflicted so much pain. Their power is on the rise, and to showcase their increasing power, the glowing city of Zverograd was founded. Intended to be the crown jewel of the SSU, the city was soon engulfed in war as the Axis and Allies heard rumors of a powerful secret buried under the city’s streets. Now, all three major factions continuously clash, attempting to gain control over the city.

Inside Campaign Book “Zverograd” awaits the SSU platoon list. This document allows players to build unstoppable forces containing everything from versatile SSU Rifle Squads to rugged KV47 walkers and swift Airborne Transports. Assemble an army of choice units, and crush your enemies on your way to victory. Not to be outdone, this section of the book also contains entries for new Axis and Allied units that can be used to combat the SSU threat.

Campaigning for the future

Play out the defense of Zverograd in the campaign section of this supplement. Over a series of battles, players can experience the tense conflict for the valuable secrets contained within the city. With all three factions vying for control of the secret treasure, only one army can be victorious. Can you protect the doomed city-- or will you conquer it? In this premier Dust Warfare campaign, you can decide the fate of Zverograd.

The SSU will soon be invading a tabletop near you, and with the Campaign Book “Zverograd,” you can take control of this mighty army. Learn more about the history of the SSU, build a powerful army, and defend the city of Zverograd with this Dust Warfare supplement. Use your Dust Tactics army for a larger conflict in Dust Warfare, and defend the Motherland!

His Master's Voice wrote:Fun fact: The alternate leg set of Mickey is partially my design. I made a conversion of one of the original Mickeys from the starter and Paolo Parente somehow found it on the interwebz and asked me if they could do a set of alternate legs like that.

I feel like I just won a supporting cast nerd Oscar award. Or at least got nominated.

We announced in July that Dust Warfare, the miniatures game set in Paolo Parente’s war-torn world of Dust, was in development with an intended release by the end of 2011. Although we’ve crafted an excellent game, we saw an opportunity to take some extra time to add a final layer of polish and detail, ensuring the game meets the tremendous potential we see for it. Therefore, we made the decision to delay its release until late first quarter of 2012.

Finishing touches

Our development team has made great use of this extra time to craft a truly outstanding product. We want to thank you for your patience and strongly believe that when you see the final game, you will agree that it was worth the wait.

In preparation for a new campaign, the SSU unveils more advanced technology, and the Axis counters with a new walker. With these exciting units, the battle for supremacy in Dust Tactics becomes even more deadly! Joining the mighty SSU bloc is the fearsome SSU Ground Attack Helicopter, the swift SSU Airborne Walker Transport, and the gritty SSU Commissar Squad. Meanwhile, the versatile Panzer-Kampfäufer III brings extra toughness to Axis forces.

SSU Commissar Squad

The SSU Commissar Squads are unique in how they operate on the battlefield. Sometimes they are deployed as a single unit, but more often they’re attached individually to squads. Commissars are political agents tasked with enforcing the SSU’s ideology, and they do that quite effectively embedded in infantry squads. From there, they can also bolster each squad’s fighting abilities.



Commissars act much like heroes when joining a squad. In fact, some of them have special abilities that you are already likely familiar with, like Badass and Assault. Also, some commissars are equipped with unique weapons that can add extra punch to any unit, including the DPM machine gun and the PTRS-47 missile launcher. Whether fielded as a unit or dedicated to other infantry squads, the SSU Command Squad brings additional firepower and abilities to your SSU force.

SSU Airborne Walker Transport

Dropping walkers in the midst of battle, the SSU Airborne Walker Transport strikes with lightning speed. This expansion comes with a KV-47 Walker that has been modified for aerial transport. This altered walker has three optional builds, meaning there is a perfect option for any situation. The speed and strength of the SSU Airborne Walker Transport are an effective pairing.



The three optional builds for the altered KV-47 Walker included with the SSU Airborne Walker Transport are the Nastasia, Nikita, and Nina. All of these walkers have the Assault ability that makes them even faster once they deploy on the battlefield. Nikita has an artillery weapon that allows you to make attacks without line of sight when paired with a spotter squad, and the Nastasia has a long-ranged gun that is useful for combatting aerial threats. The Nina makes use of dual RPG-47s, which fire short ranged anti-armor rockets. With a single hit from this powerful weapon, most walkers are reduced to scrap.

SSU Ground Attack Helicopter

Enter the SSU Ground Attack Helicopter! This potent gunship is the heavyweight of the SSU forces, and it’s rightly respected by all of the SSU’s foes. Featuring four variations, the SSU Ground Attack Helicopter can handle any task with its massive arsenal of weapons to choose from, including machine guns, cannons, rockets, bombs, and more. The only question is what combination of weapons will you use to annihilate your enemy?



The Striker uses a mix of machine guns and cannons to halt the approach of enemy infantry, and it is quite capable of providing air superiority as well. Armed with Napalm and Rocket pods, the Burner lives up to its name. Hovering above the battle, the Airblaster searches for targets on which to drop its 250kg bombs. Finally, the Death Rain mixes incendiary Napalm with bombs to create an inferno of destruction at short range.

Panzer-Kampfäufer III

To combat the SSU forces, the Axis unveils new walkers. The Panzer-Kampfäufer III expansion supports three separate walker builds. This walker type features heavier armor and improved toughness to withstand more damage from enemy fire.




The Flamm-Luther is equipped with two Schwer Flammenwerfers. This oversized flamethrower can melt away even the thickest of armor. In addition, this walker has the Assault ability. The Wotan uses long-ranged laser weapons to punch holes through unfortunate soldiers and vehicles. The last build option in this expansion is the Wotan-AR that features the same laser cannons as the Wotan, but it has heavier armor for added protection.

Support your troops

The SSU adds flexibility, speed, and brute strength to their faction with the SSU Commissar Squad, SSU Airborne Walker Transport, and SSU Ground Attack Helicopter. These expansions give SSU commanders the tools they need to compete on any battlefield. In response, the Axis introduces the Panzer-Kampfäufer III, a tough and versatile walker platform. These Dust Tactics expansions will be available late second quarter 2012.

Remember, when you add reinforcements to your Dust Tactics army, you’re also building your Dust Warfare force at the same time! All of the Dust Tactics expansions, including those announced in this article, can be used in the forthcoming Dust Warfare tabletop game. With one set of miniatures for two games, all you will need to start playing Dust Warfare is the Core Rulebook.

Maelstrom808 wrote:Alpharius, they have all of the rules (including expansions) on their website as a free download: http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite_sec.asp?eidm=123&esem=4

Alpharius wrote:Any update on DUST WARFARE beyond what we last heard?

We announced in July that Dust Warfare, the miniatures game set in Paolo Parente’s war-torn world of Dust, was in development with an intended release by the end of 2011. Although we’ve crafted an excellent game, we saw an opportunity to take some extra time to add a final layer of polish and detail, ensuring the game meets the tremendous potential we see for it. Therefore, we made the decision to delay its release until late first quarter of 2012.

Finishing touches

Our development team has made great use of this extra time to craft a truly outstanding product. We want to thank you for your patience and strongly believe that when you see the final game, you will agree that it was worth the wait.