The Americans are here to kick ass and chew bubblegum in WW3: Team Yankee! This glorious book updates USA forces with new units and formations for players and historians alike, and not only covers the soviet invasion of Europe, but also details the events of operation Desert storm when the US and NATO coalition participated in liberating Kuwait from Iraqi occupation.

In addition, there has been much buzz among more technologically minded folks about experimental tanks that never saw the light of day but appear in this book, giving commanders everything they want; field a force thats historically accurate, or craft a competitive list capable of taking on even the most spammy East German horde. I think Wayne and the Battlefront team have done a fantastic job putting this freedom tome(tm) together and it deserves a place in every gamer's shelf. 

*click on the book to preorder*

This series of articles cover the American release, and will not only talk about the new unit entries, but will also explore how your existing units can be used and list building ideas.

We reveal and discuss the top 5 new American units to gush about, and rank them according to their value in forces. JEROM1E, our top USA player in Southeast Asia (and some say Batam), chimes in on his thoughts and verdicts. As is tradition with our articles, you can simply skip to the TLDR sections to glean what you need to know! 

JEROM1E: Just gimme my M1a1s already!

Top 5 New American units

5. AH-64a Apache

 

The Apache is a surprise addition to USA forces, and as expected, it packs a punch as a tough (twice as survivable as the Cobra) and deadly ATGM platform. However, it appears Battlefront hasn't learnt its lessons from the West German PAH, and the Apache suffers from many of the same flaws that plague stationary ROF helicopters in Team Yankee.

The Hellfire has a massive minimum range of 16in, which presents a deadzone that is easily exploitable by canny opponents willing to close in fast and force the Apache to either redeploy or remain a deadweight on the battlefield. Curiously, the Apache's autocannon also packs HEAT rounds (which is correct as it uses HEDP rounds IRL), meaning it cannot harm vehicles with bazooka skirts, BDD or better, curtailing its use somewhat.

We foresee the Apache being something of a threat unit, wherein a hunter killer team of 2 promises to punish your opponent's heavy tanks if they run out into the open. Very situational, but at least it comes bundled with the USA starter set. 

+ Hellfire ATGM packs AT25, enough to kill anything it sees, especially other NATO tanks

- situational use

- same problems as PAH and other stationery ROF aircraft

- expensive points wise 

Overall: B- . A niche pick for most lists. 

JEROM1E's verdict: C. Its a bit of a novelty unit but one of the most impressive models in the USA lineup.

 

4. LAV-AD

 

Players wishing they could field an all-marine corps force can finally rejoice as the LAV-AD (Air Defense) joins Team Yankee! Our crayon muncher's favorite SHORAD platform slices and dices with an ROF 7 vulcan gun and Stinger missiles. 

While the LAV-AD presents a deadly threat to enemy aircraft especially since it has Thermal imaging, its weapons are typically behind that of the army (as usual), and everything is crammed into a compact, but hideously fragile vehicle. In addition, the LAV-AD replaces the Stinger Humvee if you use it in your force, so you can't have both cakes and eat them. 

However, the model is gorgeous and easy to hide, so your marines can bash some skulls in knowing their skies are watched by the LAV-ADs. 

+ Ooo rah

+ all in one package for AA

- Jack of all trades, master of none

Overall: B. Mostly for flavor, jalepeno preferred.

JEROM1E's verdict: A-. It's either this or the Stinger Humvee, but the LAV-AD has thermals which edges out the competition.

 

3. RDF/LT Assault Gun

Older hobbyists will recognise this strange light tank to be the GI-JOE Mauler, but the AAI RDF/LT was a protoype tank that never made it to production for a variety of reasons. In Team Yankee, this tank's claim to fame is it's rapid fire 75mm gun, which fires in bursts targeted at enemy armor and with a unique gun depression system. 

A hard counter to tank/BMP spam lists, the RDF/LT possesses the hammerhead trait as well as skill 3+ for a budget cost, making this a gem for every competitive player as well as GIJOE re-enactors. However, while mobile, the tank is not particularly fast and has only ROF1 on the move, forcing it into a role as an ambush/defense unit with paper armor. If something hits you, its dead, no questions asked. 

Expect to see it in most USA lists as a black box option, or even in its'own company.

+ Hammerhead trait. Hope your opponent likes rolling 6s to hit always.

+ good weapon profile (AT19/ROF2/FP3+)

+ perfect anti-spam counter

- resin model

- Its not historical REEEEE

Overall: A. A solid competitive option for facing spam.

JEROM1E's verdict: A+. Love it or hate it, you'll see this in most competitive lists.

 

2. M1a1 / M1a1hc Abrams

Since it's inclusion to the game as one of the first plastic models for Team Yankee, the M1 Abrams has always suffered from power creep as newer and more powerful units were balanced against this baseline. Until now.

The M1a1 finally debuts in WW3 despite having a model for half a decade, and boy was it worth the wait. Sporting amazing mobility and advanced stabilizers, as well as improved armor, the M1a1 is here to take names with the brand new 120mm cannon, and sports an AT23 depleted uranium round to mulch everything in your sights.

This unit solves a lot of issues for American players, namely the previous inability for their MBTs to take on other heavy tanks. On the other hand, the M1a1 and the ludicrously priced HC (Heavy Common) variant, are pointed appropriately for their abilities and as such, will probably never exceed 5 models on the tabletop.

As with the Challenger, M1a1 players will have to be careful and not develop tiger syndrome and give their shiny super-tanks a veneer of invincibility. While their front armor is certainly tough enough to take on anything short of AT27, the tanks are still vulnerable to flanking and air strikes, so positioning is key, which is made easier with the M1a1s excellent speed values.

+ AT 23 depleted uranium rounds

+ Heavy armor, HC is immune to milans/ BMPs

+ 'black box' autopick for USA armies

- Cost of M1a1 is prohibitive

 Overall: A. The most iconic tank of the US army will pull it's weight as long as it's shielded from air strikes.

JEROM1E's verdict: A. Extremely strong in what it does and does it extremely well. In the right hands the tank will ruin your opponent's day.

 

1. Light Motor Infantry Platoon (Humvee) 

2 words. Generation Kill. (yes, I know these arent actually marines)

Representing the new 'High Tech' 9th Infantry light division, the light motor infantry platoon takes old units and combines them into a murder machine that takes no s**t and keeps on giving.

Singularly defined by their superior training at 3+ skill, the light motor infantry platoon can cover ground fast and strike through terrain in any condition. Clocking in at 10 stands for 10 points with free humvees, these infantrymen are well equipped to tear into enemy positions in close assault, while possessing more than enough firepower to push off enemy counterattacks.

In addition, the attached humvees are cheap, cheerful and most of all, armored (yes, armor 0 is still armor), which will require anti tank attention to take out, forcing opponents to divert precious anti-tank firepower from more valuable targets to destroy these little annoyances.

While possessing no heavy firepower, these guys are your best all-purpose infantry unit in the USA force and can easily be integrated with any list build to upgrade your army.

+ humvees

+ cheap, skilled US army grunts

+ humvees

- you have to build a lot of humvees

Overall: A+. There's never a situation where these guys wont be useful. Plus, you get to spout one liners about policing mustaches in-game.

JEROM1E's verdict: A. Finally, American infantry with 3+ skill. 

 

What are you looking forwards to field with your USA forces come July? In our next article, we talk about the elephant in the room; The M2 Bradley and M1a1, and discuss how to squeeze them into lists in the current points format.

 

About the Writer:

Eddie is an avid painter who also enjoys anime, studying military history and hopes that Girls Und Panzer will come true one day so that everyone can resolve their differences with tank Airsoft.