Oil Wars Reviewed and Spoiled
By Chris Jackson
It’s almost here. The long-awaited Oil Wars hits the shelves in a few short days. I have been lucky enough to get a sneak peak at it and more importantly, I have permission to share what I have seen.
Oil Wars covers the armies of the Middle East at the time of the fictional WWIII portrayed by Team Yankee. Iran and Iraq have been at war for four years and both find their armies rejuvenated by an influx of equipment, advisors, and direct support from their respective superpower benefactors.
Israel is at the peak of their prowess, having fought a long, difficult insurgent war basically since the guns went silent after the Yom Kippur war of 1973. Oil Wars provides all of them. As a bonus, Soviet T 62 battalions are made fully official and instructions for fielding them are included.
All of the armies are unique and the book should have something for every play style.
If you like top of the line equipment and elite troops, then Israel is exactly what you are looking for. The Merkava 1 and 2, elite, rock hard infantry platoons, and the new, top secret Pareh NLOS weapon will make you very happy.
The Merkavas are a tasty mix of the best features of NATO MBTs. They have Abrams Front Armor, Leo1 Gun, Leo 2 stabilizer and LRF, a crew that puts the West Germans to shame, and all at Chieftain point levels. The only drawbacks are weak side armor and 3 tank platoons. The main gun is weak when compared to European adversaries, but more than adequate against the Front Armor of their Arab opponents.
The “Pareh” is even more powerful. It’s an anti-tank platform that launches its missiles from a position completely out of line of sight of its target. The gunner guides his missile in using the TV camera mounted in the missile. You can’t hide from this beast.
On the other hand, if fanatical hordes are your idea of a good time, the Iranians should be just the thing to get your juices flowing. Imagine if you will, all the fanaticism of a Japanese banzai charge, backed by the best technology the West has to offer.
M60A1s, Chieftains, AH1 Cobras, plus RPG7s and SU25s.
Better yet, imagine the look on your opponents face when you move 37 stands of fanatical, well armed and barely trained infantry 8 inches from his Forward Edge of the Battle Area (FEBA) and remind him they assault within 6”, not 4”.
I personally enjoy that kind of thing because you force your opponent to make a very difficult choice over what to shoot at. “Do I prioritize the screaming horde of heavily armed cannon fodder that’s about to swarm all over my tanks with high explosive can openers or do I engage the heavily armored, “cream of Western technology” forces supporting them?
Or, do I just give up Team Yankee and take up WH40K?
One choice is bad, the other worse. The last one is just crazy talk.
Moving on to the Iraqis. How do you feel about a horde of second and third tier Soviet equipment, crewed by mediocre to poor troops, supported organically by the best equipment the French and Soviets have to offer and whatever flavor of NATO forces you happen to have on the shelf?
You will have the option of using French artillery, Gazelles, and Hinds to conduct SEAD missions on your opponent so your A10 flight will have maximum opportunity to destroy the Chieftain platoon that is threatening your T62s in a historically possible expanded Iran-Iraq war.
Mind. Blown.
In conclusion, the Iraqis are perfect for the gamer who wants enough stuff on the table, but sees the value in selecting high quality units to perform key tasks.
Also included in Oil Wars is the option to field Syrians, simply use Iraqi units and stats, minus units with Western equipment and with the option to take Soviet/WP Allies.
Finally, Soviet Forces get the option to field the T62 battalion and company anywhere the option to field a tank company exists.
Unfortunately, the book does not extend out to include the Gulf War, so none of the long awaited “late TY” equipment is included. Bradleys, Apaches, Warriors, M1A1s and Challengers are not included.
I for one am excited. I see Israelis and at least one Arab Army in my future.
Just a note – unlike the other US vehicles on your list, the Bradley shouldn’t be considered “Late” Team Yankee. It was already in Europe during the time period depicted by the game. The M1A1 and Apache were definitely not available at that time.
I can’t speak for the Warrior, but from what I understand the Challenger was also present in Europe in 1985.
Noted, but I would point out I just play the game. I’m not even consulted when they decide which units are or aren’t in the game.
Yep 2 Regiments of 55 each Challenger Is in BAOR in 1985, the first, Royal Hussars, fully operational…
Thanks for the article Chris. I too see an Israeli Army in my future!!
“M60A1s, Chieftains, AH1 Cobras, plus RPG7s and SU25s.”
Huh? Su-25s didn’t enter service with the Iranians until the war was over (and they literally only ever owned a handful, mostly ex-Iraqi ones flown there in 1991).
Iraqis did use Su-25s in reasonable numbers along with Su-7/Su-20/Su-22s (along with a whole menageries of other non-CAS jets -MiG-21/-23/-25/-29, Su-24, Mirage F1, Super Etendard and Chinese J-7 (MiG-21F-13 knockoff).
Iranians should also have access to Chinese and Russian tanks (specifically Type 54s), M47s as well as some WWII kit!
“You will have the option of using French artillery, Gazelles, and Hinds to conduct SEAD missions on your opponent so your A10 flight will have maximum opportunity to destroy the Chieftain platoon that is threatening your T62s in a historically possible expanded Iran-Iraq war.”
Except the Iraqis never used A-10s. No one save the USAF has ever had A-10s. Iraqis used Su-25s.
There’s playing with alternative history, then there’s just fantasy (and usually designed to min-max abilities).
The Iranians are allied with the Soviets and gain access to Soviet driven air support. The Iraqis are Allied with The US and NATO, and gain access to American driven air support.
Calm down dude, it’s just a game.
It is called “make it plausible.” BF fails it.
No, BF nails it. The alignment of Iraq with the US and NATO and Iran with the Soviet Union falls perfectly with the geopolitical situation in the mid-80s. We are post fall of the Shah so Iran is very much anti-US. We are also 5 years prior to the Invasion of Kuwait, so Iraq is still regarded as a “Best Alternative” ally to counter Iran in the Gulf