May 20, 2026 Tistaminis Staff

Flames of War Faction Guide: Which Army Should You Start?

Choosing your first Flames of War faction is the most important decision a new player makes — and it's one that's easy to get wrong if you don't know what each army plays like. German armour, Soviet numbers, American firepower, and British combined arms all offer fundamentally different gameplay experiences.

This guide breaks down each major faction, their playstyle, and which starter products get you playing fastest.

New to Flames of War entirely? Read our overview first: Flames of War Starter Sets: Which One Is Right for You?

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The Best All-Round Starting Point: Fortress Europe

Before diving into factions, the single best starting point for most new players is the Flames of War Fortress Europe Starter Set. It includes two complete opposing forces — giving you and a friend everything needed to start playing immediately, with no additional purchases required.

If you're buying for yourself and already know which faction you want, read on for faction-specific recommendations.

German Forces — Elite Quality, Tactical Flexibility

Playstyle: Germans are the quality-over-quantity faction. Their tanks are generally superior to their opponents', their infantry is well-equipped, and their special rules reward aggressive, combined-arms tactics. German players tend to win through superior positioning and firepower rather than weight of numbers.

Strengths: Strong tank stats, excellent special rules, flexible army construction, strong in both armoured and infantry roles.

Weaknesses: Fewer models than Soviet or American lists at equivalent points. Mistakes are costly when you have fewer units to absorb losses.

Best for: Players who prefer precision and tactical decision-making over brute force. Rewarding for experienced wargamers.

Where to start:

Late War German Starter Force — Panzer Kampfgruppe — A strong Late War German armoured force built around Panzer IV tanks and supporting infantry. Excellent value and a solid foundation for expansion.
Tank-Hunter Kampfgruppe Army Deal — A specialist anti-tank force ideal for players who want to counter enemy armour aggressively.

Also read: Review of the Panzer Kampfgruppe Starter Set

Soviet Forces — Numbers, Aggression, Attrition

Playstyle: Soviets are the quantity faction. Where Germans field a handful of elite tanks, Soviets field waves of T-34s and infantry. Soviet lists are typically larger than their opponents', and their playstyle rewards aggressive forward pressure and accepting losses in exchange for overwhelming the enemy.

Strengths: Large model counts, strong tank options (T-34, IS-2), excellent infantry in numbers, special rules that reward aggressive play.

Weaknesses: Individual unit quality is generally lower than German equivalents. Requires confident, aggressive play to maximize effectiveness.

Best for: Players who enjoy overwhelming force and don't mind painting large numbers of models. Forgiving for beginners because individual unit losses matter less.

Where to start:

Late War Soviet Starter Force — A complete Soviet Late War force ready to expand. Strong foundation for T-34-based armoured lists.
Soviet LW T-34 Army Deal — The T-34 is the iconic Soviet tank of WWII. This army deal gives you a full T-34 force ready to roll across the table.

American Forces — Firepower, Air Support, Flexibility

Playstyle: Americans are the combined-arms faction — strong in multiple roles with excellent artillery, reliable infantry, and good tank options. American lists benefit from strong air support and artillery assets that can suppress and destroy enemy units before they engage. They're not the best at any single thing but are competitive across the board.

Strengths: Excellent artillery and air support, reliable infantry, flexible army construction, strong special rules for combined arms.

Weaknesses: Sherman tanks are outclassed by German armour in direct engagements. American players need to use combined arms effectively rather than relying on any single unit type.

Best for: Players who enjoy combined arms tactics and want flexibility in how they approach each game. Also a strong choice for history enthusiasts drawn to the Western Front.

Where to start:

US Marine Rifle Company Army Deal — Elite American infantry with strong special rules. A characterful force for players drawn to the Pacific or late-war European theatre.

Also read: Review of the American Combat Command Starter Set

Early War — France 1940 and the Maginot Line

If you're drawn to the early years of WWII — the Fall of France, the Phoney War, and the dramatic German breakthrough — the Flames of War Maginot Line — German vs French Starter Set is a unique two-player option covering this often-overlooked theatre.

It includes both German and French forces, making it a complete two-player experience focused on the defensive warfare of the Maginot Line campaign.

Also read: Flames of War Maginot Line Starter Set: Defensive Warfare Explained

TANKS — The Fast-Play Alternative

If you want the Flames of War universe in a faster, simpler format, TANKS is a streamlined tank skirmish game set in the same WWII setting. The TANKS: Panther vs Sherman Starter Set is a complete two-player game that plays in 30–45 minutes — a great entry point for players who want to experience the setting before committing to full Flames of War.

Which Faction Should You Choose?

	Playstyle	Best for
German	Elite quality, tactical precision	Experienced wargamers, armour enthusiasts
Soviet	Numbers, aggression, attrition	Beginners, players who like large armies
American	Combined arms, firepower, flexibility	Players who want versatility
French (Early War)	Defensive, historical immersion	History enthusiasts, Early War fans

If you're genuinely unsure, start with the Fortress Europe Starter Set — it gives you both German and Allied forces and lets you try both sides before committing to a single faction.

Flames of War Faction Guide: Which Army Should You Start?