Soviet Tankovy Battalion

[Milbro]

I have always wanted to do a soviet list but, alas, we already have a soviet infatry horde... I wonder who that could be on the forum... Yes well I have always been intrested in Soviet tanks ever since I found out about this little scirmish called World War 2. I have absolutely no idea how to play a Soviet tank list or even what tactics to use. I have been messing around with some ideas and this is what I have thought up so far for my early 2009 army. It is far from perfect and have no idea how to play it but practice makes perfect. I am thinking of running it out of FE2 and not having any nasty suprises ( those come later when I learn how not to kill myself using tanks).

The list is CT except for the IS-2s (what, even if i am a new player I know about the IS-2s)


HQ- T-34 55
10 T-34 (cupolas) 425
5 T-34/85 340
5 M31(M3A1 Stuart) 150
5 IS-2 780

Total- 1750

The problem I have from looking at this list is the limited response to AT guns in ambush. This is why I have 5 stuarts to stop possible ambush areas but I still am a sitting duck in some missions. I have another problem with infantry and do not want to get too close to those fun panzer fausts or pioneers. The only thing I can think of is to take out 2 IS-2s and add a full company of tank riders to aid my tanks. The only problem is that, even if I drop the cupolas on the T-34s, i am 5 points over for adding a commisar and I do not want to drop the tank rider company down to 2 platoons, becasue then it drops the count from 18 to 13 and loosing its Quality of Quantity rule. Any ideas on how to improve this list or its weakness or anything will help because I want to know if it is even a plausible idea or a good list before I start to assemble it.

[Tiger505]

Well the trick to Tankovy is the number of tanks you put on the board. I would suggest you look at a base of 21 T34s with 11 of them upgraded to 85s. The Stuarts are not recon units so you need to look at Ba64s for that purpose which are armored cars. The IS IIs are fine but you wont need more than 3 to do what your after. Soviets suffer from Hen and Chicks so you need the numbers to soak up a few losses while you close down the range.

[Milbro]

Ok i kind of thought that 5 IS-2s was a bit much. I see what you are talking about with the BA-64s, i just did not find them on the last page. So the trick is move, soak some losses, and then shoot the next trun? I am not sure exactly how that works but ill try and find out a good way of playing with the list. After the advice what about this list?

Still CT and from FE2

HQ T-34/85 with Cupola with 3 ZSU M17 MGMCs 150
5 T-34s, 5 T-34/85s 490
5 T-34s, 5 T-34/85s 490
3 IS-2s 470
6 BA-64 150

Total- 1750

So this list looks and feels a little better. I added the AA section for some protection for the little bit of Axis air and they are not bad at hitting any infatry caught out in the open. I was planning on keeping the AA platoon with the bulk of the force to protect from any infantry and air. the Recond unit of 6 BA-64s is a comfortable size and will be outfitten with 2 Anti tank rifles. The Cupola is a little bit useless but, hey, I had 5 points left over. What is the effectivness of Tankodesantniki SMG teams? Also, are cupolas on the main Combat Companies worth it for 10 points?

[Milbro]

The thing I like about the IS-2 is, even 1 point of armour is nice and the addition of a hull mounted MG and a rear facing MG. The only way that I can compistate for anti-infantry is mounting tank riders on the back for 15 points. Then again infantry is not going to want to get close to these tanks with 21 T-34s murauding around playing hide and seek. It is a good idea but I am just thinking of what I could add with the extra points. The Stuarts are nice and I like the way they play. I could use the light armour for herrassing the back lines or getting rid of pesky, ungaurded infantry or arti. I am just trying to find any holes in the list. What else would this list need to spend the points on?

[Tiger505]

Well If you want to be a prick take a look at the Tip 3m Sturmavik and drop the IS-2s. Take the points you save and buy 10 T70s or 10 Stuarts. The thing about hunting big cats is there is no allied tank that can reliably pull it off. A Single KT will wreck your hvy tank unit then get swarmed by the T34s asumeing it isnt supported right. Tip 3ms well those buggers take alot of AA to bring down and make a nice mess of big cats. Then your looking at 31 tanks on the board with some armored cars.

[Milbro]

That is a nice idea but the only problem I have with air support is, well the unreliability it can have some times and just how random it can be. It is a flying tank so it should be fairly sound even with AA. It is not a bad idea and I'll look into it. I would love to see the oponenets face if I was to field 31 tanks with the armoured cars. Fun stuff. I am liking how this list is coming on.

[Tiger505]

The nice thing about a plane with rockets is the base 3+ to hit number. It makes them much more viable than the 4 bomb planes. Its also an AT 6 hit so much more likely to stick. It can kill any German armor made unlike the JSII who will have issues when the Germans start packing their big AT (which keeps getting cheaper)

[tassguru]

My hvy tankvoy is going to probally get air support but have not decide yet.

I run
10 JS2
1 platton of pioneers

Only issue is the gun is nice with JS2, but +1 to hit and only shot sucks. If it hits infantry and guns they are just about toasted.

This all depends on your dice being hot.

[60buick]

Well If you want to be a prick take a look at the Tip 3m Sturmavik.

Does that make me a prick?

[Tiger505]

No I posted that before I did the math and saw IL-2s where worse. What makes you a prick wont fit into the alloted space for this post.

[cephian]

Touche' there TigerKing505..

Actually his name is thingy already so no need in calling him prick.

Edit..

Oh wow can't even call him by his short Given name!?!?! Poor Richard we can't even call you D1ck for short without having to modify it. Kinda sad how a man's short name for his given name has some perverted innuendo now.

Then again some call me 'Bildo' for reasons I'll never share with this group...