The Maginot Line two player starter is a great entry point for Early War French. So this guide focuses on stretching that box into a semi competitive force without buying a mountain of kits.
Because the starter already gives you real armor, you can get playing fast. Meanwhile, the expansion paths are built around formations that match your plastic. Therefore, the article walks through one tank focused list, one combined arms list, and then two bigger bundle options.
What you get and what it naturally builds
Your French half starts with five Somua S 35 tanks, three Hotchkiss H35 or H39 tanks, and one infantry platoon. So the most obvious foundation is a Somua S35 Combat Squadron. The guide starts there with a 100 point build, then pivots to a Motor Fusiliers Squadron. After that, it shows what happens with two Maginot Line sets, and finally what you get by pairing the starter with a Char 1B deal.
Somua S35 Combat Squadron: armor that does the heavy lifting
The Somua formation uses an HQ, two to four tank platoons that can be Somuas or Hotchkiss variants, and up to one anti tank platoon. The suggested 100 point version aims for five units to keep the formation sturdy. The Somua is the star, with FA4 SA3 TA1 and a 24 inch AT7 gun, so it can scrap with early armor while staying alive. Then Laffly W15 TCC guns add nasty AT9 reach at 28 inches, while 75mm field guns pull double duty with AT9 and an artillery template. The infantry platoon sits on an objective and keeps the guns from getting bullied.
To build it, the article suggests adding an S35 platoon, a 75mm battery, and a Laffly SP anti tank platoon for $188.
Motor Fusiliers Squadron: combined arms, smoke, and spearhead tricks
The Motor Fusiliers formation brings infantry depth with options for MGs, recon, anti tank, and mortars. The 100 point sample hits seven units for the formation break, which is a nice durability bump. It leans on two infantry and two anti tank platoons to hold ground, then uses recon Hotchkiss tanks to spearhead when the mission allows. Meanwhile, Somua S35s either back the infantry or lead the attack, while Laffly AT9 keeps enemy armor honest. Mortars add smoke and suppression, and 105mm guns add another AT9 plus a template.
The shopping list here is bigger, adding a Chasseur platoon, two 25mm anti tank platoons, a Laffly platoon, and a 105mm battery for $262.
Two boxes and the Char 1B path
If you buy two French halves, you get ten Somuas, six Hotchkiss, and two infantry platoons. The guide suggests a two formation 100 point build with a Somua squadron and a Rifle Company, making both formations harder to break. The Rifle Company can defend or support, and the Furia Francese command card lets the commander hit on 2+ in assaults, which is spicy. Best of all, no extra purchases are needed beyond the two sets.
Finally, pairing the starter with the Char 1B deal adds Char 1B tanks with brutal armor at FA6 SA4 TA2 and dual guns. The two formation list is smaller and more brittle, so it uses a command card to make infantry Reserve Infantry with a Reluctant 5+ motivation. They dig in, while the tanks do the work. The suggested buy is one Char B1 bis company box for $120.
Summary
This guide gives four practical ways to grow the Maginot Line French starter into real 100 point forces. Moreover, it highlights Somua and Laffly synergy, a Motor Fusiliers combined arms route, and a two box option that needs no extra kits. Finally, the Char 1B upgrade path adds a true armor bully, while infantry hunker down and let the tanks win the day.
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