The View from the Turret

AT-43 U.N.A. Army Book — Review

Posted on 01Jun07 Updated on 25Aug09

The first AT-43 army book is for the U.N.A. The quality and layout is similar to the main rulebook but the cover seems a tad thicker. The book is 64 pages long. A small error slipped past and the company roster sheet at the end of the book is in French. You can get the English version off the website.

The book includes 16 pages of information on the U.N.A and the history of Ava but the majority of the book is dedicated to the White Stars and begins with information on a number of U.N.A factions: CENTCOM, M.Ind, and Union. Each faction has their own benefits and disadvantages. For example, M.Ind is a vehicle heavy faction but also collapses if all its vehicles are lost regardless of troop losses. A couple pages detail the various weapons, and heroes are included in more detail than in the main rulebook.

Most of the book is of course dedicated to the available units. Included are full stats for the Star Troopers (regular infantry), Steel Troopers (heavy infantry), Wing Troopers (mobile infantry), Shock Troopers (close combat troops), Steel TacArms (armored infantry), Shock TacArms (close combat), and Jam TacArms (anti-vehicle). [Note: Oddly, the newest announced TacArms, the Death Dealers with dual Volcano MGs, are not included in this book.] Vehicles are present and include the Fire Toad and its multiple weapon variants (including the Light Prince, Iron Rain, and Lanceleot), the Defender Snake and its variants (Cobra and Cobra M8), and finally the size-five, four legged, 15 point armored Fire Crawler armed with two Heavy Graser anti-vehicle weapons.

The Fire Toad of course was in the OD set but the Defender Snake is a new unit (although pictures of it have been out awhile now). The Fire Crawler is an all new vehicle and only concept sketches of it are included. They look great and hopefully the model will be just as good when it gets released.

Each unit is fully detailed with stat cards, tactics, special equipment, and officer information. Cost is provided for units and is broken into ‘standard’ and ‘maximum’ numbers that translates to a minimum and maximum unit size. Leaders can increase a unit’s numbers and various special weapon/equipment options add to the cost.

One of the best elements of the U.N.A Army Book is the art. Great shots of the painted miniatures, full color paintings, and black and white concept sketches adorn the pages of the book. Most interesting are the sketches for a number of tracked and wheeled vehicles as well as airborne assault craft. These are certainly hints of things to come.

The U.N.A Army Book is very well done, clear, and useful. It covers all of the currently available units as well as those probably coming out over the rest of 2007.

Remember to get the FAQ.