Following up on the Soviet Unit Cards, let’s take a look at the new Unit Cards. Just like all the other releases the new Bagration list has a full set of Unit Cards. The set comes in the normal tight fitting card box and includes nicely laminated cards in a playing card style. We also get the return of the Tankodesantkini. These are either upgrades to SMG units or just upgrades. With the ability to dismount and assault, these are a nice option. We also see cards for both hero and regular sapper units.
Moving along, we get cards to field the Polish in Soviet serve (a personal favorite), cavalry formations, Naval Infantry, Guards, Forward Detachments, T70 companies and the very interesting Decoy Company. A lot of flavor I must say. This does give me the final confirmation to mount my cavalry (and Motorcycles) on medium bases, as the old larger bases do not make much sense on the game table (my mounted forces just increased in size!). I always hated the old large bases with their ridiculous footprint and how they caused you to spread out when you deployed to infantry. Now that it is just a stand upgrade (which started in mid war), it makes sense just to mount the car on the medium bases side ways. The Decoy company lets you field a whole company of captured German tanks! This makes for some interesting painting opportunities! The new RPG6 option that gives two stands in each unit an AT ability is a must take. It may actually make Soviet infantry unassaultable by tanks. The Partisan options give you access to new on table throw away units and reserve disruption.
All and all, a very nice set of cards for the Soviet player and a number of must takes! . I have some fear that the Soviets are over the top in V4, as their large units break the morale rules and they now have so few restrictions on quality. Yeah, the’re tanks suffer from moving and shooting, but that does not hurt you when you stand still! The infantry is easier to hit, but there are plenty of options that are now aggressive (with a few careful mixed in). With the cheap point costs for the units, just seems you will always have a base of fire and the numbers to overwhelm. With that said, until I can test that on the tabletop, it is just a guess. How much longer until I can get a Covid vaccine?????
- Manteuffel