Game Guide - Sides of the conflict Wargame: AB Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

NATO (Alliance) - blue

In the game, NATO is represented by eight nations - USA, France, United Kingdom, Federal Republic of Germany, Canada, Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

General characteristic of all NATO armies: most of states have better air force, better equipped infantry (some nations have chosen a war doctrine basing on avoiding panzer encounters and preferred to act irregularly until the intervention of stronger allies), weaker tanks (Danish or Canadian tanks are weaker than the medium equivalents in Warsaw Pact) and, what is very important, bigger variety of units due to the number of nations developing their own, independent armies.

You should use armies of USA, Sweden, West Germany, France or UK to make nation armies because the remaining ones are less universal and work better as elements of the international deck, where you can use their advantages.

USA (US)

The strongest faction in NATO and easiest to play, so it's a good choice at the beginning, when you learn how to play. You should notice also, that the equipment of the remaining nations bases strongly on the USA. That's why, you should this army, as you'll surely meet with their weapons (better not as a victim). USA has the widest choice of units and the best air force in the alliance. Besides universal and expensive Abrams, full of electronics (the best stabilizers), the tanks aren't impressive when you check their prices. Also infantry is rather average, but the transport is rather ok.

France (FR)

France Army, adjusted to the colonial war, is good in actions requiring a lot of mobility and ambushes, while it prefers light and quick but very fragile units. Unfortunately, lack of stabilizers in the most of tanks make them difficult in use during the maneuverable battles. You can also notice a lack of anti-aircraft infantry and presence of unconventional helicopters.

United Kingdom (UK)

British Army is one of the three panzer forces in the Alliance (next to the West Germany and USA), but their heavy tanks may have a problem when the front is moving very quickly. In case of offensive actions, notice strong and quick infantry.

Federal Republic of Germany (FRG)

This army has perfect but very expensive late-generation tanks and strong infantry. But helicopters and planes are rather weak.

Sweden (SWE)

This nation has strong tanks (stronger than all nations below), strong infantry and a cheap recon, but it has relatively weak (according to nations above) air-force and artillery.

Canada (CAN)

Canadians have not bad infantry with great and quick transport (helicopters) with nice air force but their anti-aircraft forces is a mess - only infantry and advanced, but expensive system ADATS). And their old-fashioned tanks are better only from Danish and Norwegian ones.

Norway (NOR)

Norway infantry and high-tech air force make this army pleasant and not difficult to play. But you should base your force on infantry, as the tanks are useless.

Denmark (DAN)

Danish forces are quick and light, with very cost-effective infantry and cheap anti-infantry helicopters. Weak and narrow choice of tanks, lack of anti-vehicle infantry and high-tech air force.

Warsaw Pact (WP) - red

In this game it contains USSR, Poland, Czechoslovakia and German Democratic Republic. The assets of Warsaw Pact are better panzer forces than NATO, cheaper air force, excellent assault helicopters (every army has Mi 24). As it was in the reality, all armies in Warsaw Pact are equipped or basing on the soviet weapons and technology. So all of their forces are similar.

USSR (URSS)

Equivalent of USA. Soviets have the most variable units among all nations within the WP and the best air force. Their tanks are much better than the ones of USA. Infantry is rather average, better is specialized infantry and transport. Most of the players choosing the red side, choose USSR, but, as it was mentioned, most of armies of this side bases on the soviet weapons.

Poland (POL)

As in the case of GDR, Poland was gifted with the out-dated weapons by USSR. Lacks of more advanced tanks are balanced by good, various infantry and offensive and strong artillery. Air force is cheap and out-dated, what means it's weak. But Poland has the widest choice of helicopters, right behind the USSR.

German Democratic Republic (RDA)

Assets of this army are good recon, various air force and wide choice of good infantry in quick transporters. This nation, like USSR, has an anti-aircraft plane. As in the case of Poland, tanks are only average.

Czechoslovakia (TCH)

Nation equipped in their own equivalents of soviet weapons. Czechoslovakia has various, anti-tank infantry, average air force and tanks similar to those of Poland and GDR. This army's asset is good artillery.