Beginner Lists with the M2 Bradley Mech Combat Team Starter Force

Beginner Lists with the M2 Bradley Mech Combat Team Starter Force By John Lee With the launch of the new plastic infantry for WWIII: Team Yankee, I thought I would look at how a new player, or someone on a budget, could get a force on the table that would be competitive, or at least hold its own with the new army deals available. For the new player, it opens the door to playing WW3 without needing to buy, assemble or paint too much and get into playing the game quicker. Check out the M2 Bradley Mech Combat Team Starter Force in the online store...

So, if we look at what we get in the excellent value army deal (US M2 Bradley Mech Combat Team), that will help decide what Formations to run. The army deal contains the following: 1 x Complete A5 Rulebook 1 x “Start Here” booklet 2 x M1 or IPM1 or M1A1 Tanks 9 x M2 or M2A2 or M3 or M3A2 Armoured Fighting Vehicles 2 x M163 VADS AA Vehicles 3 x M270 MLRS Rocket Launchers 1 x M113 FIST OP Fire Support Vehicle 1 x Formation Command M16 Rifle Team 8 x M249 SAW Teams 6 x M47 Dragon Missile Teams 1 x Decal Sheets 9 x Unit Cards

The bonus here is that the rulebook is included in the box – so the new player makes a saving right away. Now if we look at what Formations are in the WW3 American book, we can see what we can maximise from what we get in the army deal. There are a few Formations we can build to maximise what we get in the box. The three Formations we will look at are the M2 Bradley Mech Combat Team, M3 Bradley Armoured Cavalry Troop, and M1 Abrams Armoured Combat Team. We will look at options for 100pts using Book Points – not Dynamic.

M2 Bradley Mech Combat Team Starting with the M2 Bradley Mech Combat Team Formation now, let us look at what units comprise this Formation: 1 M2 Bradley Mech Combat Team HQ 2-3 M2 Bradley Mech Platoon 0-1 M1 Abrams or M1A1 Abrams Tank Platoon 0-1 M106 Heavy Mortar Platoon 0-2 M3 Bradley Scout Section Based on the Formation and what we get in the army deal, we will be able to use everything in the deal and grab a few other boxes and sprues to complete it:

Seven units for the Formation break. Two artillery templates (one a salvo with minelets). Two units of AA to keep pesky enemy air away from your Formation. Two units for spearhead and sniping from long range with their AT23 missiles. A total of thirteen AT23 missiles at your disposal to keep enemy tank swarms at bay. M1A1s to provide the flexibility and manoeuvrability with their advanced stabilisers and assault enemy infantry off the objective. Between the VADS and Bradleys, there is enough firepower to decimate infantry, light and medium vehicles (even some tanks size armour!).

To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $269: 1 x TUSAB05 American Starter Force: M2 Bradley Mech Combat Team  110 1 x TUBX19 Bradley Troop   50 1 x TUBX14 HMMWV Platoon   50 1 x TUBX03 M113 Platoon   40 2 x TUSO02 Plastic VADS/ITV Sprue    9 1 x TUSO03 Plastic M113 Sprue   10 TOTAL $269

M3 Bradley Armoured Cavalry Troop The next Formation to look at is the M3 Bradley Armoured Cavalry Troop which is comprised of the following units: 1 M3 Bradley Armoured Cavalry Troop HQ 2-6 M3 Bradley Scout Section 1-3 M1A1 Abrams Tank Platoon or M1 Abrams Tank Platoon 0-1 M106 Cavalry Mortar Platoon 0-1 M109 Field Artillery Battery 0-1 AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter Platoon or AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter Platoon 0-1 UH-1 Huey Rifle Platoon We have everything we need in the army deal aside from a few boxes of helicopters which we can add:

Nine units for the Formation break – which is good as over half of the units in the Formation are units of two! This Formation requires a little more finesse, but you have a large infantry unit that has helicopter transport which anchors the force. Depending on the mission you play, allows you to threaten objectives potentially tying up a part your opponent’s force whilst the rest of your force gets on with dealing with the rest. Apaches with their AT25 Hellfire missiles can take out any Tier 1 tank from long range whilst the M3A2 Bradleys with their AT23 missiles and AT8 auto canons can take on everything else. Two artillery templates to lay smoke or clear enemy infantry. NB, the M113 sprues have the M106 mortar option on the sprue, so you save money with this list by not having to purchase more sprues.

To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $238: 1 x TUSAB05 American Starter Force: M2 Bradley Mech Combat Team  110 2 x TUBX07 UH-1 Huey Transport Helicopter Platoon   64 2 x TUBX21 AH-64 Apache Helicopter Platoon   64 TOTAL $238

M1 Abrams Armoured Combat Team Finally, we look at the M1 Abrams Armoured Combat Team Formation and is comprised of the following units: 1 M1 Abrams Armoured Combat Team HQ 2-3 M1 Abrams Tank Platoon 0-1 M901 ITV Anti-tank Platoon 0-1 M106 Heavy Mortar Platoon 0-2 M3 Bradley Scout Section or M113 Scout Section 0-1 M2 Bradley Mech Platoon or M113 Mech Platoon Adding a couple of boxes and sprues to the army deal, you could put together a list like this:

Seven units for the Formation break. Two solid units of IPM1s that can go toe to toe with most enemy tanks using their advanced stabilisers and your assaulting force.  One mortar unit to provide smoke and pin down enemy infantry before the assault. Bradley Scouts to provide spearhead and four AT23 shots from range. VADS to provide AA cover for your tanks as well as shredding enemy infantry and light vehicles. Mech infantry platoon to defend an objective with the Bradleys providing more AT23 against tanks and AT8 against light and medium targets including helicopters.

To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $219: 1 x TUSAB05 American Starter Force: M2 Bradley Mech Combat Team  110 1 x TUBX18 Abrams Tank Platoon   50 1 x TUBX03 M113 Platoon   40 2 x TUSO02 Plastic VADS/ITV Sprue    9 1 x TUSO03 Plastic M113 Sprue   10 TOTAL $219

There you have it – some options to ponder for getting started with different Formations with the new starter force that you can easily expand upon as you get more into the game. Enjoy!

~ John Lee