Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Enemy at the Gates Starter Set

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Enemy at the Gates Starter Set

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Enemy at the Gates Starter Set
with John Lee

With the launch of the Eastern Front Compilation release, I thought I would look at how a new player, or someone on a budget, can get a Soviet Infantry force on the table that would be semi-competitive or at least hold its own. For the new player, it opens the door to playing Flames of War without needing to buy, assemble or paint too much and get into playing the game quicker.

So, if we look at what we get in the excellent value Army Deal (Enemy at the Gates Hero Rifle Battalion), that will help decide what formations to run. The Army Deal contains the following:

So, if we look at what we get in the excellent value Army Deal (Enemy at the Gates Hero Rifle Battalion), that will help decide what formations to run. The Army Deal contains the following:

  • Complete A5 Rulebook
  • Soviet “Start Here” booklet
  • 1 x Hero Rifle Battalion HQ
  • 2 x Hero Rifle Companies
  • 2 x Sniper Teams
  • 4 x 45mm Anti-tank guns
  • 4 x 122mm Howitzers
  • 2 x Katysusha Rocket Launchers
  • 8 x Unit Cards

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Enemy at the Gates Starter Set

The bonus here is that the rulebook is included in the box – so a new player makes a saving right away.  Most previous Army Deals have been vehicle or tank based, but this is one of the first Infantry-based Army Deals and gives you a useful army straight out of the box as we explore later in this article. One of the unique features for the Mid War Eastern Front in V4 is the Sniper team. A Sniper team has some special rules and can be a useful addition to your formation if it includes one. “Snipers Hide” means they are always gone to ground and can always be held in ambush in addition to other units in ambush.  If held in reserve, it can also be in ambush when the unit arrives on the table.  When placed in ambush, they can do so in their deployment area or No Man’s land.They are also ignored for Good Spirits. “Unseen Killer” means that the target team cannot use mistaken target and that if a hit is scored against an Infantry, Gun, or Unarmoured Tank team, then they are pinned.  Also note that if they hit a team that is dug in, and that target team fails their save, it’s a 4+ firepower roll – much better than a trying for a six!

Now if we look at what formations are in the Soviet section of the Eastern Front book, we can see what we can maximize from what we get in the box. The most obvious formation is the Hero Rifle Battalion, but secondary options are the Hero Motor Rifle Battalion and Valentine Reconnaissance Company, and we will look at options for 100pts. 

Looking at the Hero Rifle Battalion, let us look at what units comprise this formation:

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Enemy at the Gates Starter Set

Based on the formation and what we get in the box, we can use all the contents of the box and two additional boxes!

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Enemy at the Gates Starter Set

There are five platoons for the formation break and with the 122mm Howitzers and Katyusha Rocket Launchers, gives you two artillery bombardments. The SU-85s are Fearless Careful and provide your high end AT12. The PTRDs, 45mm guns and Molotov Cocktail Command Cards give your infantry extra options for defence and assaults.

To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $255.00:

1 x SUAB14 Enemy at the Gates Hero Rifle Battalion Starter Force

110.00

1 x SBX57 SU-85 Tank-Killer Battery

40.00

1 x SU771 PTRD AT Rifle Company

15.00

1 x FW257 Eastern Front Compilation Book

60.00

1 x FW257-SCB Soviet Eastern Front Unit & Command Cards

30.00

TOTAL

$255.00

We can change this list up a bit by replacing the SU-85s and Katyushas to give the list more oomph.

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Enemy at the Gates Starter Set

Ten T-70s to provide some more oomph – especially against other recon or light tank lists or to assist with assaults, whilst the KV-3s with their FA10 SA8 TA2 armour and AT14 main gun can deal with your opponent’s tanks.  Everything else in the list remains the same.

To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $369.00:

1 x SUAB14 Enemy at the Gates Hero Rifle Battalion Starter Force

110.00

2 x SBX55 T-70 Tank Company

100.00

1 x SBX82 KV-3 Tank Company

54.00

1 x SU771 PTRD AT Rifle Company

15.00

1 x FW257 Eastern Front Compilation Book

60.00

1 x FW257-SCB Soviet Eastern Front Unit & Command Cards

30.00

TOTAL

$369.00


 Next up is the Hero Motor Rifle Battalion. let us look at what units comprise this formation:

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Enemy at the Gates Starter Set

Based on the formation and what we get in the starter box, we can use most of the contents of the box and a few extra boxes!

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Enemy at the Gates Starter Set

This formation is very popular, and you can see why from this list. Cheap mortars plus hero tanks in the formation itself. Seven units for the formation break and three artillery templates! The Hero T-34s are upgraded to the 57mm version, providing AT11.  Supported by the Fearless Careful 57mm AT guns, this gives your force some useful anti-tank options. Some T-70s to provide a screening force for your infantry who will do the heavy lifting. These guys assault on 2+ and this force can defend but is geared towards attack! There is also a command card titled “Guards Motor Rifle Battalion” that improves your Hero Motor Rifle unit’s motivation stats, that you can add to tweak your force even further.

To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $355.00:

1 x SUAB14 Enemy at the Gates Hero Rifle Battalion Starter Force

110.00

1 x SBX54 T-34 Tank Company

50.00

1 x SBX55 T-70 Tank Company

50.00

1 x SBX71 Heavy Tank-killer Company

54.00

1 x SU781 82mm and 120mm Mortor Company

15.00

1 x FW257 Eastern Front Compilation Book

60.00

1 x FW257-SCB Soviet Eastern Front Unit & Command Cards

30.00

TOTAL

$355.00

To provide an alternative to the above, we can adjust a couple of options to give us some AT12 and more assaulting goodness!

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Enemy at the Gates Starter Set

By replacing the Hero T-34s and the 57mm AT Guns with Hero T-70s and IS-85s we give ourselves some heavy hitting firepower and more light tanks to support your attack. Everything else remains the same but now you have some FA10 SA8 TA2 monsters that have AT14 and assault on 3+!

To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $335.00:

1 x SUAB14 Enemy at the Gates Hero Rifle Battalion Starter Force

110.00

2 x SBX55 T-70 Tank Company

100.00

1 x SBX85 IS-85 Guards Heavy Tank Company

20.00

1 x SU781 82mm and 120mm Mortar Company

 15.00

1 x FW257 Eastern Front Compilation Book

 60.00

1 x FW257-SCB Soviet Eastern Front Unit & Command Cards

 30.00

TOTAL

$335.00


 

To round out the options we are looking at, we will look at the Valentine Reconnaissance Company Command Card Formation. Let us look at what units comprise this formation:

  • 1 Valentine Reconnaissance Company HQ
  • 2-3 Valentine (late) Hero Tank Company

We can use most of the contents in the box and add a few other boxes to assemble this force:

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Enemy at the Gates Starter Set

A small tank formation that has four units for the formation break.  This is supported by a Hero Rifle Company and Hero Motor Rifle Company. One salvo template with an under-strength Katyusha battery. 45mm guns to support the infantry and KV-3s for heavy AT duty. This is more of a Swiss army knife force that has a bit of everything.

To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $327.00:

1 x SUAB14 Enemy at the Gates Hero Rifle Battalion Starter Force

110.00

2 x SBX41 Valentine Tank Company

100.00

1 x SBX82 KV-3 Tank Company

27.00

1 x FW257 Eastern Front Compilation Book

60.00

1 x FW257-SCB Soviet Eastern Front Unit & Command Cards

30.00

TOTAL

$327.00

We can change this up a bit to get KV-5s instead of KV-3s and a full 122mm artillery battery and remove the 45mm guns:

Building a Mid-War Eastern Front Force based on the Enemy at the Gates Starter Set

All Valentine Companies now have an upgraded 6pdr option. The KV-5 is a beast. FA14 SA10 TA2 with AT14, this tank can do it all. Take on any tank and not even get too worried about flank shots and can assault with impunity and has five MGs.

To buy this army you need only to purchase the following for $327.00:

1 x SUAB14 Enemy at the Gates Hero Rifle Battalion Starter Force

110.00

2 x SBX41 Valentine Tank Company

100.00

1 x SBX83 KV-5 Tank Company

27.00

1 x FW257 Eastern Front Compilation Book

60.00

1 x FW257-SCB Soviet Eastern Front Unit & Command Cards

30.00

TOTAL

$327.00

There you have it – some options to ponder for getting started with different formations with the new Hero Rifle Battalion Army Deal. Enjoy!
~John