Greeting Comrades, I hope you are looking forward to your next tours of service for the Tsar! I think it is fair to say that Commonwealth Generals have more to be excited about than most with this Global Update. Aside from the global realignment of the point values of specialised melee units and transports in general, the Commonwealth has seen a thorough revamp of their Subterranean rules as well as a reduction in point values for almost every unit.
There’s no better time for new Commonwealth generals to jump on board with the Commonwealth Faction Battlegroup, serving as a perfect entry point.
Tunnellers of Ciechocin*
All Subterranean units in the Commonwealth have benefited from this update. Whilst burrowing under the table as Markers, they now move 10" rather than the previous 8". Furthermore, Subterranean units can now move, or even emerge onto the battlefield, right from turn one (though if they do so, they must emerge within their own Deployment Zone).
The Krot Armoured Borer and Matryona Heavy Transport have also had a boost in being able to be taken as an extra bonus Bolstered unit in the Faction Battlegroup. This was part of the cross-faction Global Update drive to make Transports more affordable and easier to take in larger numbers, allowing infantry units to get across the board and into action as soon as possible. Now Ryadovoy Rifles can get in close to where they work best quickly and with protection.
The Miron Super-Heavy Borer and Mamont Subterranean Cryo Transport have had a points decrease, given their role as transports, as well as an increase in Size to better reflect the chunky block of reinforced steel topped with a whirling drill, that they are. The range of their Dynamic Entry special rule has also been increased, ensuring that their arrival on the battlefield will be suitably spectacular. Their Damage Limit has been upped too, now sitting at 10, with their damage brackets adjusted in line with this.
*This is a little play on words with a Polish place name and the classic Vietnam history book, The Tunnels of Cu-Chi by Tom Mangold.
Melee Masters of Mglin
The main thrust of this Global Update was to make the melee-focused units in the game more competitive. The bigger winners here for the Commonwealth are the Azhdaya Berserker Gangs and the Winged Hussar Treadbike. Already solid units; they are now that bit cheaper, allowing you to squeeze an extra unit or two into your lists. Watch your opponents quake in terror as these monsters thunder towards them!
Of Field Guns and Tractors
One minor, but very welcome, change in the ORBAT is that Gerlach Gun Tractors are now able to move and preposition any of the Field Guns in the Commonwealth list. Now the Gobyata Field Guns and the Tryasti Seismic Mortars can benefit from this increased battlefield mobility too.
A 2000-point list
With all of this in mind, as well as the recent Commonwealth Heavy Regiment box to think about, here is a sample Commonwealth Force based around two Faction Battlegroups; a solid suggestion for how to go about taking advantage of the new changes.
As both melee and transport units have decreased in points I've gone with a full-strength Azhdaya Berserker Gang to really spread chaos and destruction through the enemy’s ranks. To get them safely into the fight, there is a reinforced unit of Omsk Cryo Transports. They are backed up by smaller groups of Winged Hussar Treadbikes, as well as some Steppe Outrider Cavalry which can keep up with the fast-moving transports and clear the way or flank as appropriate.
With the changes to tunnelling units, the Dikobraz Artillery Borers can now bring their firepower into play from the very first turn. Meanwhile, the Miron Super-Heavy Borer can transport the Tsar Battle Tanks under the battlefield until the optimal time to surface and cause havoc. Before the battle tanks make their appearance, the Minsk Rail Destroyers will be there to snipe away any Armour units that could prove troublesome. Backing all of this up is a large amount of Infantry that can fight for and hold objectives. The Buran Cryo Troops are ideal for dealing with enemy Infantry in Terrain, whilst the flexible Salyut Rocket Troops offer effective anti-aerial protection to the whole Force. The Forlorn Hope Boon has been added to finish off the Force and to make up for the lack of a second Battlegroup Bonus.
Points values correct as of the Commonwealth v1.02 Beta ORBAT
This Global Update has been a really exciting one for all Commonwealth Generals. With the general improvements to melee units and transports, not to mention additional point reductions to almost the entire Commonwealth range, you will find that you can now fit a lot more into your lists. This synergises nicely with the changes to Subterranean units, giving you the perfect way to get your new and improved melee troops into combat.
There is a lot to take advantage of here, and a careful reworking of your favourite lists will undoubtedly be in order, but you will be rewarded for time well spent with a force that is both bigger and stronger. Glory awaits, Generals. For the Motherland and the Tsar!
For more information regarding the overall changes of this Global Update, read the summary blog.
Explore the latest Commonwealth releases online or at your FLGS. None nearby? Get your LGS to contact tradesales@occamdistribution.com to discuss stocking Warcradle Studios!
Stay up to date with the latest news and releases on our Facebook, Instagram, and X and on the Warcradle Studios Blog.