Nordic Forces finally drags the Cold War chaos into Sweden. So now Team Yankee players get a fresh set of armored toys.
The Swedes are especially fun because their kit is half imported and half wonderfully weird. However, the rules push you to play smart, not just drive forward. And if you love positional tank play, this is your moment.
Strv 103 S Tank: Ambush Predator, Not a Brawler
The Strv 103 was built to be low, sneaky, and annoying to hit, and Team Yankee nails that vibe. Its Ambush Tank rule lets it stay gone to ground after firing, as long as it stayed stationary, which is huge for survivability. However, it has no stabiliser and suffers the overworked forward gun, so its rate of fire is 2/1 and it hates moving shots. It is also fragile on paper at Front 12, Side 5, Top 2, so if it gets tagged, it can crumple fast.
The real protection is how hard it is to hit. Swedish crews have Courage 4+ and Skill 3+, and they are hit on a 4+. So with concealment and gone to ground, enemies can end up needing 6s to hit, which is better than any armor plate.
The S Tank Company brings two compulsory 3 tank platoons plus an HQ of 2 to 3 tanks, and you can add up to two PBV 302 Armoured Rifle platoons, one PBV 302 Recon platoon, and another S Tank platoon.
Tactically, you must plan sight lines and cover together. If you get an ambush option, S Tanks are ideal, since they can pop up, shoot, and stay gone to ground. If you must attack, you should leapfrog in pairs, since one platoon stays still and shoots while the other moves. Also screen with infantry, because big enemy tank swarms can overwhelm you by volume. Finally, watch Cross 4+ in rough terrain, since woods can betray you at the worst time.
Strv 104 Centurion: Reliable Bruiser With ERA Tricks
Sweden also ran Centurions, bought in 1953 and upgraded into the Strv 104 with a 105mm L7, better fire control, ERA, and a new engine. In game, it has Front 14, Side 6, Top 2, which is decent but not magical. However, ERA bumps protection versus HEAT to 16, which helps against missiles and many handheld anti tank weapons. Its L7 brings AT 19 and Firepower 2+, so it can punch most tanks frontally except top tier monsters, and it deletes side armor.
It still has rate of fire 2/1, yet it is better on the move than the S Tank because it is not overworked and it has a stabiliser. It also shares the strong Swedish hit on 4+ durability trick, and it has Cross 2+, so it can use terrain aggressively for concealment while pushing for flank shots.
The Centurion Tank Company mirrors the S Tank structure, with an HQ of 2 to 3 tanks, two required 3 tank platoons, and an optional third, plus the same PBV infantry and recon options.
Summary
Nordic Forces gives Sweden two very different tank identities. The S Tank is a stationary ambush piece that wins by concealment, discipline, and denial. The Centurion is a flexible workhorse that uses ERA and mobility to get angles and survive missiles.
The sample S Tank list leans defensive with PBV recon spearhead, Bandkanon 1 artillery, RBS 56 trucks, and Ikv 91s as mobile flank threats. Meanwhile, the sample Centurion approach goes double formation, backed by S Tanks, missile trucks, and HKP 9 helicopters, while skipping infantry and artillery for massed armor pressure. Overall, Sweden rewards players who think in firing lanes, movement timing, and terrain leverage.
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