AT43 Addict

A question that gets asked alot by new UNA commanders is which are better, star or steel troopers. There is no clear cut answer but I hope to show the role each play in an army so a new commander can make good tactical decisions.

Star Troopers are the type * infantry of the UNA. They have a higher unit size than the Steel troopers, their guns are one less strength as well as their armor. They do get a reroll on their weapons though which is a big advantage in addition to having access to the all powerful flamer. This unit is really at home putting a large volume of fire on the enemy as it advances on or holds a position. Dude to their high numbers they are ideally suited to holding points especially in a morningstar list which gives them 3 medics. They can sustain 7 casualties before you are forced to remove specialists. this gives them a greater effective staying power than their steel trooper counterparts. The star troopers are also the only UNA unit with access to combat engineers which let them destroy terrain elements in order to advance quickly under fire.

Steel troopers have longer range, one more strength and armour but 3 fewer numbers. They are best used to back up an assault, firing from range with missile launchers/Laser guns. Because they have fewer numbers they can’t take as many casualties before you have to start removing medics/engineers/heavy weapons. In fact in a max sized unit with special weapons, medics/engineers and an officer there are only 4 standard fighters that can die before you are forced to cut into your specialists. The big advantage they do have is Engineers which are there to repair AFV’s. It makes sense that they are set up to fight from range where the majority of UNA’s AFV’s are going to be.

So there you have it. One troop type is not better than the other, when used for the purpose they are inteded they will shine, but dont expect a unit of steels to be on the front line, or a unit of stars to do well at the back of the field.