Comparing British Tanks in Mid War V4

The Release of Armoured Fist has given the British player a wide array of options.  A quick glance through the book gives a lot to be excited about. I found myself making list after list in an effort to see what was the most cost-effective use of points. This piece will analyze the tactical uses for each of the British tanks. I expect some readers will disagree with me on some of these, and only playtesting will bear it out what works in the long run (I’m looking at you Matt Varnish), but these are my first impressions. I will also analyze the tanks based on the 71 point MidWar Standard for tournament play this year.

Some other notes on force construction.  One of the changes to the Force Organization diagram allows you to mix and match tanks to a larger degree than you could in Desert Rats. Grants can replace a Sherman platoon in their formation for example.  The Death or Glory Boys list is also cheaper (due to it being easier to hit) and requires different, more aggressive tactics for that list to work as intended. For purposes of this analysis, I’ll use the Crusaders and Valentines from their standard formations (instead of the DoGB list) when discussing points.

The DoGB list is excellent in my opinion, using Valentines 2 pdr platoon and combining them with 6pdr Crusaders for firepower. Combined, they’re an excellent combination. My concern with that list has a weakness. The Crusaders are easy to kill off, which would leave the well armoured, but somewhat limited, Valentines to fend for themselves. Playtesting will bear that out, and I am sure many folks will want to give this list a try.

On to the tanks. I have listed them from what I am least likely to take to most likely to take.

Shermans: Only if I’m desperate

9 points per tank (27 points for a full platoon)

The Sherman boasts 1 better front armor than its M3 Grant counterpart, a .50 cal MG, direct fire smoke, an AT 10 gun on a turret and a 4+ to hit rating.  The German Panzers are typically 5/3/1 armour, with guns that range from AT 7 to AT 10 direct fire.

Unless We’re talking about the up-armored Panzer III at front armor 6, your standard German tank is saving on a 5+ (to bail) or a 6+ to bounce.  If they’re in a duel at range, a 4+to bail and a 5+ to bounce.

That is a significant upgrade to the Grant’s AT 9 and will kill a lot more tanks in a fight. Obviously, the German Tiger is an exception to these stats, but nothing can kill that (not even a plane) And there are no m10s for the British in these books.  Which is a shame, since the American M10’s are one of the best-armoured vehicles in the game at this point (in my opinion).  That makes this one of the highest AT tanks for the British in the game.

Still, this doesn’t strike me as a good buy. Iron Tom and Mitch can make fun of me if it turns out they are much better than I expected. But the big kicker here is the cost. Shermans run 27 points for three tanks in a single platoon.  This means I can get 3 Shermans for the cost of one Tiger.

In a 71 point list, a full formation of Shermans can be had, but only at a cost of a 2nd formation and any viable artillery support. A single formation list like this, with solid tanks like the Sherman, can help get new players up to speed quickly. But, if I’m trying to be competitive, I don’t think something this vulnerable to Panzer AT 9 or AT 10 guns is as survivable as some of the other tank choices out here.

Grant: Worth Taking, with conditions

6 points per tank (18 points for a full platoon)

For a downgrade of 3-points from the cost of a Sherman (an entire Humber scout car or Daimler platoon), I gain protected ammo, and gain a 37mm second weapon.

But, with a Grant instead of a Sherman, I lose the .50 cal, a point of front armor, the main gun drops to AT 9, and it no longer has a turret for the main gun.

Other than the lost AT, I don’t miss the rest. I can use the points I gain by downgrading to a Grant elsewhere in my force.

The Grant’s AT 9 against Front Armor 5 is significantly worse than the Sherman’s gun with AT 10.  Rolling a 4+ save is statistically much easier than a 5+. The Grant’s Front Armor of 5 won’t protect them from the bulk of AT 9 shots, but against the AT 7 of most Italian tanks and the weaker 37mm guns of some German Panzers, the Grant’s armor is more than adequate.

The choice between Grant or Shermans all comes down to points.  At 71 points, I can take a full Grant Formation and a motor company, or Crusader Company. With Shermans, I can’t do that. Decision made. Don’t get me wrong, I’m buying Sherman models anyway. But I don’t see myself running a Sherman list anytime soon.

Churchill III (CS, 6pdr) – Pricey, with tough armour

11 points per tank (33 points for a full platoon)

A Jack of all trades.  This tank is a monster. Taking this in an infantry formation as support is an automatic.

With a Front Armor of 8 and a side armor of 7, it’s impervious to standard German tank guns. Even AT 9 guns can’t do more than bail it.  It will take an 88, a tiger, or a lucky AT 10 Panzer IV to stop this thing.

Its main gun is an AT 10, placing it in the same class as the Sherman. It has protected ammo, and counterattacks on a 3+ which is great, since it will murder gun and infantry teams with its top armor or 2.  This thing can win gun duels, assault positions, and hold objectives. It must be dealt with if it’s on the table.

Unfortunately, it is pricey to field. A formation just doesn’t seem viable at 71 points. Even if I take the minimum platoons, and take the platoon of Shermans they offer as part of the core force to save a few points, (1 Churchill HQ – 11 pts, 2 Churchills – 22pts, 2 Shermans 18pts) = 51-points.  That is only 5 tanks for 51-points. That only leaves 20-points for a second formation or support.

A list like this means not enough tools and too many problems. I love these tanks, but I don’t see them being game winners. That said, only a few lists will have answers for them, so I may be reading this wrong. I’m a big fan of high mobility and options, so I’m more prone to pick things further down the list.

Cheap and Deadly: The Honey

1.6 to 1.75 pts per tank (5 points for a full platoon of 3)

“It’s a honey sir!” – The Cheapest thing in the world.  For good reason.  They can’t boast an AT higher than a 7, they get hit on a 3+ and their armor will stop nothing but small arms fire.  Occasionally they can stop an AT 7 shell, but only if I roll better than I normally do.  Their last stand also means they will not be sticking around long.  The biggest advantage for these tanks is their cheap cost.  I can take a whole formation for 15  points.  That’s a lot of shots for very little points. They dash at 24″ which is a big advantage as well.  If they fire first, its devastating to a lot of things. If they are trying to play cat and mouse with Panzers they won’t last long.  These are a viable thing to take as a supporting formation for the bigger tanks, or as a cheap alternative to the real big tanks. These are so cheap its hard to pass up.

Crusader (CS, 2pdr, 6pdr) – Crunchy but good

2 pts per tank (avg) – 7 points for full platoon

Let’s talk utility. They have a 14″ tactical move. They have an AT 9  gun on some of them and an AT 10 on the Death or Glory Boys Tanks.  For only a little more than the Honey, I get a better gun and a better tactical move. They have the No HE and overworked special rules, but I love these tanks for slicing into enemy flanks, gunning down small vehicles, and MGing infantry in the open.

Additionally, the formation comes with CS tanks. This means I can get an extra smoke or utility bombardment, which in my mind is worth it. Unfortunately, they die easily [editor says they are very crunchy].  But I have seen them bounce a surprising number of Panzer III shots. As a supporting option, they are a good buy for their points.

Valentines: The Tank that will bankrupt me

3.5 points per tank (11 points for a full platoon of 2pdr Valentine IIs)

(or 13 points to include a Valentine VIII in your 3 tank platoon)

There are a lot of ways to look at these tanks.  Front Armour of 6, and side of 6 makes them better protected than a Sherman. Their armor is only second to the Churchill, and I get one Churchill for 11 points.

But I can field three Valentines for the same 11-points as a single Churchill. Compared to the crusaders and Honeys, Valentines have 4 points better armor, but I only cost 1 or 2 more per tank. Compared to the Grant, with 1 point less front armor, Valentines come in 2.5 points cheaper per tank, with better protection.

Mobility suffers, they are slow.  Eight-inch tactical movement sucks, but 14″ cross country isn’t bad. They aren’t going to win a footrace, but with armor that good, they often won’t have to.

The Gun:  The Valentine VIII has a Churchill gun with an AT of 10 and 4+ FP. This makes it one of the best British AT guns in the game. It is no HE, however, and has the overworked rule. But in a duel with lesser tanks, it will come out on top more often than not. To summarize; Valentines have the best armor for its points in the game.  The best gun in the game on one of the 3 tanks in the platoon.  and only sacrifices mobility.

Additionally, it has a better Last Stand check at 4+ instead of the Desert Rats standard 5+.  I will be buying a full Formation of Valentines, as I feel they are the overwhelming best buy in the game for Brits right now.

Drop me a line on the forums, or discuss which tanks you prefer to run.