The Holy Roman Empire
Who are the Imperials?
Subjects of the Holy Roman Empire, the reach of the Imperials spans an impressive stretch of Central Europe, a kingdom that revels in unrivaled wealth and cultural diversity. The past centuries have seen both an expanse in the Empire’s great holdings, stretching even to colonies in the Aether, but have also seen an increasing divide between their ruling nobility and the common people who dwell under their seemingly indifferent reign.
The Archduke murdered in cold blood in the streets of Paris by an uncontrolled uprising, his death has stirred the ponderous war machines of the Empire to motion, and filled it with a resolve for bloody revenge. Take the reins of this waking giant, and teach the nations to fear the power of the Holy Crown!
How do they play?
The elite of the elite, Imperial armies are small, expensive, and incredibly durable. Each Imperial unit does the job of many of his lessers from other nations, and the widespread shield generators granted by their National Idea ensure that if those lesser troops ever want to stop an Imperial, it will be no small task before them.
While lacking the sheer numbers or versatility of their rival nations, Imperial units are among the very strongest in the game. Though they will find themselves outnumbered and outmaneuvered by those larger armies, those larger armies will find in the Holy Roman Empire an enemy that is unyielding even in the face of overwhelming fire.
Why should I collect them?
Imperial armies are small, and every man is an expensive elite, making it very easy to quickly accumulate a respectable Holy Roman Empire collection and even easier to get them painted up to standard and ready to fight on the field. If you enjoy the medieval touch and especially like to take the time to personalize your soldiers and tanks as you paint, there is no more appealing choice than the forces of the Imperial crown.
Small armies and elite troops mean that while the forces you field will be small, it will be easy to collect other units and experiment with new and exciting combinations to catch your enemies by surprise and keep your playstyle fresh.
Where do I start?
Perhaps the trickiest part of playing the Imperials is to decide where best to invest your points for that first army. So many incredible, elite units, and yet so few points to field them all!
For those who are firm believers in the supremacy of armored firepower, the 38M Franz Joseph Battle Tank is easily the most definitive expression of Imperial might, a versatile tank capable of adopting a multitude of loadouts to best any of its peers. To support your battle tanks, the 43M Árpád Tank Hunter is a devastatingly potent companion to any armored platoon, boasting a multitude of powerful cannons that can completely eviscerate enemy armor from its chosen hiding place.
Traditionalists, of course, may adhere more to the good old-fashioned rifle and bayonet, and there is no greater exemplar of the quality of Imperial rank and file than the Landwehr and their lightly armored Royal Honvéd companions. Support your troops with the juggernauts of the Panzergrenadiers or the field constructions of the Sturmpioneers, and don’t forget a reliable 28M Wallenstein Armored Halftrack or two to help your soldiers up to the front lines!