Leopard – Lists

Following on from the review of Leopard, I know a lot of people are curious about points and what type of force they can field.  Unfortunately, I can’t go giving out all the points however what i can do is create some sample 100pt lists give you an idea of what you will get for different styles of build.  So without further ado…

List 1 – Balanced: Leopard 2 Kompanie and Marder Panzergrenadier Kompanie

Leopard 2 Kompanie

Hq – Leopard 2

Leopard 2 Panzer Kug – 3 Leopard 2
Marder Panzergenadier Zug – Full with 2 x Milans.
Jaguar 1 Jagdpanzer Zug –  3 x Jaguar 1
Luchs Spah Trupp – 2 x Luch
Luchs Spah Trupp – 2 x Luch

Marder Panzergrenadier Kompanie

Hq – 1 x Marder and 1 x G3 stand.
Marder Panzergenadier Zug – Full with 2 x Milans.
Marder Panzergenadier Zug – Full with 2 x Milans.
Jaguar 2 Jagdpanzer Zug –  3 x Jaguar 2
Luchs Spah Trupp – 2 x Luch
M113 Panzermorser Zug – 3 x M113 Mortars

Support

Tornado Strike Force – 4 x Tornados
Roland Flarakpanzer Batterie – 4 x Roland 2
Fliegerfaust Gruppe – 2 x Redeye
Op- 1 x M113

 

I have gone for a mix here with a balance of forces, slightly favouring defence over offence.  I am a fan of the Leopard 2, it’s a beast, but with FA18 but it will still die like an M1, although with its mighty AT22 gun it will be taking a lot of T72s with it.  Of course they come at a cost and the BF preview has already shown them to be 11pts.  Luckily the Leopard 2 Company allows you to take 1 platoon of Tanks and the second mandatory pltn as mech inf which sounds like a nice balance to me.

With that in mind I have aimed to create a list that will have weight of numbers on the attack but a good number of platoons in defence, utilising the German Forward Defence rule (Jaguars are not effected by deep reserves).  By combining a Tank and Mech formation I have produced 12 platoons, with a solid armour platoon (that’s 8 AT22 shots with the HQ!), Air support for when the enemy AA has been cleared, fearsome AA of my own with 12 FP4+ shots, plus 6 Fp5+ from the Redeyes, also don’t forget the Marders have the Anti Heli rule, basically if it flies it dies.  That should take the pressure of the Leopards who now only really have to worry about T72s.

In a half on defence against a balanced Soviet list I have Leopards 2s, 2 x Jaguars pltns, Rolands, 2 x Inf on the table with the Redeyes attached.  That’s 8 AT22, 3 AT23 and seven AT21.  Plus, all the Marder shots and enough AA to scare most players.  The limiting factor is survivability, except for the 4 Leopards I am rather squishy and a good player is likely to smoke them for a turn to either force me forward or block line of sight.

On the attack I get 3 x extended deployments thanks to the 2 xLuch patrols which also can harrass very soft targets like grads as well as inf.  This will allow the inf to get closer to the action without braving the enemies’ guns.  The key will be taking out the armour and then pushing hard at a weak point.  If I can get their AA then the Tornados will be incredible with their cluster munitions , the key is not to risk them too soon.  Finally, I have a smoke bombardment to help me get closer on that 1st turn and with the German skill and an Op the odds of it working are very good!  One downside is that I have no mine clearance device, however luckily for me the enemy can’t lay additional mines like NATO arty.

The mix of Leopard 2s and supporting inf should be deadly.

List 2 – Offence – Leopard 2 Kompanie and Panzearaufklarungs Kompanie.

Leopard 2 Kompanie

Hq – Leopard 2 11
Leopard 2 Panzer Kug – 3 Leopard 2
Marder Panzergenadier Zug – Full with 2 x Milans.
Jaguar 1 Jagdpanzer Zug –  3 x Jaguar 1

Panzeraufklarungs Kompanie

Hq –  Leopard 1
Luchs Spah Troop – 2 x Luchs
Luch Spah Troop – 2 x Luchs
Leopard 1 Panzer Kug – 3 x Leopard 1
Leopard 2 Panzer Kug – 3 x Leopard 1

Support

Tornado Strike Force – 4 x Tornados
Roland Flarakpanzer Kug – 4 x Roland 2
Fliegerfaust Gruppe – 2 x Redeye
Lars Raketenwerfer Batterie –  2 x Lars
Op – 1 x M113

This list is more aggressive than the last and is aiming not be be defending, especially in a mission with deep reserves.  Again the core is Leopards 2s but this time supported by 7 Leopards 1s.  Okay they aren’t going to go toe to toe with T72s but they are more than capable of hitting medium and light armour and survivable against all but the biggest guns.  The list adds some LARs for smoke and arty support (You can’t get Mortars in the Leopard2 company).  On the attack it still has 2 x spearhead deployments thanks to the Luchs will be useful to get the Leopard 1s where they need to be (flanking T72s is a very viable option).  Their mission is also anti AA, to open the way for the hopefully devastating Tornado Strike.  AA is still present with the Roland and MANPADs.  Finally, the Jaguars have the range and AT to support the anti-big stuff task.

The recce company can even get its own small inf platoons with a single Milan.

List 3 – Elite Hammer – Leopard 2 Kompanie

Leopard 2 Kompanie

Hq – 1 x Leopard 2
Leopard 2 Panzer Kug – 3 Leopard 2
Leopard 2 Panzer Kug – 3 Leopard 2
Marder Panzergenadier Zug – Full with 2 x Milans.
Luch Spah Troop – 2 x Luchs

Support

Roland Flarakpanzer Kug – 6 x Roland
Lars Raketenwerfer Batterie –  4 x Lars

While the Leopard2 is expensive a full double platoon is certainly an offensive beast.  This list is elite and all about attack.  (although to be fair it’s still viable in defence, especially one without delayed reserves).  7 Leopard 2’s is a scary sight to behold with an impressive 14 AT22 shots; what it hits is going to have a bad day.  Enemy AA will struggle to deal with 12 Fp4+ shots that have the reach to stretch across the table and rotary must be careful around the Marders.  Again the Luchs help to get a unit or 2 forward and also prevent ambushes.  Finally, the 6 LARs can lay a decent smoke screen to shield you against return fire for a turn.  Once done, what it lacks in AT it makes up for in its Salvo template.

7 Leopards is expensive but just whatCH the T72 horde commander’s face drop!

Conclusion

For me the Leopard lists are really exciting.  It feels like there are tons more interesting and viable builds than the US currently has. While they are expensive they also have cheaper units to fill up the platoon count (I’m looking at you Luchs) and some hugely capable units in the Leopard 2, Rolands and Tornados.  However just like the Germans of FOW they must be handled with care and careful play will be needed to maximise their abilities.  The 3+ morale also means things are going to stick around, how often as a US player have you cursed when 2 M1s (one of which is bailed) failed a 4+ check and ran off?

Its also interesting that a combination of Companies in your formation is also hugely viable and helps to unlock those units you will miss out on with a single selection.

Being the second proper release for Team Yankee its certainly comforting to see that the lists are expanding, adding new interesting units with just enough special rules to add some flavour without it turning into a LW FOW game.

Next week on Breakthrough Assault, Lee and myself will be detailing the plans for our own German armies and then blogging our progress in a ‘Tale of 2 Leopards.  Included in this will be reviews and painting guides for all the new releases.

Until next time, happy modelling.