A few weeks ago, we announced the arrival of a new Imperium sprue for Armoured Clash, which was available in Miniature Wargames Issue 514. It contains the parts to make a unit led by a unique Commander character, Master Siegbert Von Brandt, as well as a basic unit of Panzerwagen Armoured Transports. The unit profile and some gameplay tips for using Von Brandt may be found by following the QR code on the magazine that the promotional sprue came attached to. The unit card may also be found on the Warcradle blog here.
As you now have the new Teutonic Command Sprue and want to use it as the basis of a new Imperium force, what should you get next?
Starting Army (500 Points)
With just an Imperium Infantry Regiment box and the suggestions below, you can build a powerful 500 point force which will be a great starting point to learn the game.
To build an Armoured Clash army you first need to download the Imperium faction’s Order of Battle or ORBAT. This can be found for free, along with other useful resources, here. The ORBAT details all of the units and Battlegroups that make up your chosen faction, as well as providing the narrative background for each unit to tell you how it functions (and why!) on the Dystopian Age battlefield.
Now you have your ORBAT, start with the Imperium’s faction Battlegroup. This will give you the minimums and maximums for each unit type that is available. By belonging to a Battlegroup your units get access to a unique Commander Bonus that will give your force an edge in battle: in this case any of your units that are in close proximity boost each other’s morale values.
The modest force above packs a punch and is ideal for introductory games with the Armoured Clash system. It has three units that can control objectives and transport units to get them there quicker, making for a good balance that should serve as a taster for the game and the foundation for a bigger collection.
Master Siegbert Von Brandt is a tough unit that can dish out a lot of punishment. With a survivable command unit, you can afford to be brave with it, backing it up with another elite unit as you push aggressively up the battlefield. Their slow speed is their only disadvantage but they can use the Panzerwagen Armoured Transport to move more quickly.
The reliable Scion Grenadier Platoon should form the centre of your battleline, while Scion Vierling Heavy Infantry are excellent at keeping any enemy infantry and cavalry that your opponent may use to claim your objectives off you.
If you want to speed up your infantry’s movement across the board, you can manoeuvre them inside Sturmwagen Transports. Extra mobility is also provided by Totenkopf Jaeger Cavalry. Longer range firepower comes in the form of Essen Field Rockets, giving your force some anti-aircraft cover as well as an excellent indirect attack to terrorise enemy infantry.
Skirmish Army (1000 Points)
To round out the points there are a couple of extra Boons that you can add alongside the Battlegroup Bonus. Forlorn Hope gives you the ability to preposition a unit before the Clash starts, whilst Ready For Anything allows one unit to start On Lookout so it can make a ranged attack in response to an Enemy unit’s move.
However, if you fancy a slightly larger force you can buy the Imperium Introductory Set and, with the following list, have yourself a 995 point force—the ideal size for playing Skirmish-sized games. The quick-start guide, tokens, and dice that come in the box will be very handy too.
In addition to all of the units from the 500 point list, above, this force gains a selection of heavier Imperium units.
The Teutonic Armiger Castellans are the perfect complement to Master Siegbert Von Brandt’s unit. Very well armoured and with excellent offensive potential they are very capable of taking and holding objectives. The Scion Heavy Dreirad are also ideally suited to rushing forward to claim objectives early on, or else working in conjunction with the Totenkopf Jaeger Cavalry around the flanks if your opponent has left them undefended. Extra offensive punch is added to your list with Luftlancer Air Jaeger. These form a hard-hitting unit of melee combat specialists.
The Sturmpanzer Battletanks and Lucifyr Heavy Walkers, meanwhile, can confidently advance up the board, protected by heavy armour, to deal with any enemy units that might try to force you from your hard won objectives.
From here, you can really start to explore the Dystopian Age through your games of Armoured Clash. With a few games behind you, you can expect to develop a favoured playstyle of your own. From there, you can expand your force to play Battle-sized games by adding units that lean into how you want your army to grow.
Enjoy your games, and remember that the defence of the Imperium depends on you now
Don't let Master Siegbert Von Brandt down!