The Russian Empire
Who are the Russians?
The last Emperor of Russia has died, leaving behind an empty throne and a weakened government with little authority over the Boyars and their Corporations. Pursuing dominance through scientific means, the arms race between the corporate entities that comprise the Russian confederation have made vast leaps in teknik enhancements, weather devices, and even strange, alien weaponry from civilizations lost in the aether long before man gazed on the stars.
Russia’s future is uncertain, and to those on the outside, it seems teetering on the verge of a total collapse. Will you take the reins to guide your corporation to victory, both over the outsiders who hope to crush the Empire and those trying to undermine it from within?
How do they play?
The Russians are all about momentum! With the powerful blizzards created by their National Idea and supplemented by weather machines, Russian armies start every game with potent table control, and rely on that initial control to maximize the effectiveness of their inexorable advance!
Russian armies utilize speed to their advantage, advancing together in a rolling tidal wave of steel and machinery to bowl over anything in their path. When one unit falls, another behind it quickly steps forward to take its place - and exact icy vengeance.
Why should I collect them?
Russian armies have a rich range of playstyles available to them, from the thundering hooves of Cossacks to the roaring engines of Dimitriy Tanks, with a uniquely utilitarian dieselpunk aesthetic that gives them a brutal edge that is easy to paint and will look menacing on the battlefield.
On top of the rank and file of the army, the addition of exotic units like corporate mercenary elements, devout priests, and fearsome Oprichniki manhunters grant a unique opportunity for big splashes of color and vibrant decals to add that little bit of variety and excitement to compliment the brutal industrialist rank-and-file.
Where do I start?
If you like speed, there’s no better way to start than the Cossack Cavalry Squads, armored cavalry whose bristling array of weapons ensures they will always get an opportunity to fight. Support them with a bit of armored aid in the form of the BA-36 Armored Scout Cars, bringing potent Ablation Beams or Battle Cannons to back up your Cossacks with a bit of extra hurting power! Russian armies rely heavily on weather machines, so be sure to bring along a Snowbringer Starets Sleigh to ensure it doesn’t just rain on your enemies’ parade, but that it freezes too.
The hardy infantry, of course, rely not only on Guards Rifles and Grenadier Squads but on durable SB-24 “Druzhina” Battle Suits to protect them from fire and back them up with eye-watering amounts of machinegun and flamethrower support. Unscrupulous Corporate Mercenaries and industrious Assault Engineer-Sapper Squads provide the infantry with even more elite support and ever-useful protective cover.