While you might not be orchestrating the movements of thousands of units, Broken Arrow still demands a fundamental understanding of combined arms tactics. You'll find yourself soaring through the skies with attack helicopters, stealthily navigating the underbrush with sniper units, and commanding a battalion of armored tanks across the plains. Your army acts as an extension of your strategic intent. Mastering the effective use of each unit, overpowering opponents, and securing control of sectors can spell the difference between another defeat and a sought-after victory.

Start with a beginner deck

With a long-standing history in real-time strategy and tactics games, I often find myself struggling with deck creation in titles like Warno, Steel Division 2, and now Broken Arrow. My tendency to want every tool at my disposal often leads to decision paralysis. Ultimately, I end up choosing the most powerful or visually appealing units, which often proves to be my downfall.

For newcomers, particularly those unfamiliar with the genre, Broken Arrow might feel daunting due to its complex mechanics and macro/micro tactics. Diving straight into deck-building could lead to disastrous results.

There are two starter decks: US and Russian. Both come close to the 10,000 point limit, with the Russian deck hitting the cap immediately. They offer a diverse range of units from various disciplines, such as recon, infantry, helicopters, and air support, making them well-rounded for beginners.

Strategically deploy your recon units

I can't count how many players I've encountered online who choose to charge headlong at opponents rather than using all available tools, particularly recon units, effectively. Your recon units can hide in dense forests and, provided they have a line of sight, offer early warnings when enemy units approach.

Position your recon units wisely. Examine the map to identify chokepoints and entry points, then determine key cover locations for your recon. Deploy them swiftly to these positions.

Position your recon at the forest's edge, then hold ‘Alt’ on your keyboard to activate the line of sight tool, ensuring your units have a clear view. Next, disable the ‘Return Fire’ command to prevent auto-fire, allowing them to maintain stealth.

Infantry can be a powerful asset, but only with proper use

Many new players opt for a "safe" approach by deploying large groups of infantry, assuming that sheer numbers will secure control points. Managing infantry is simpler than coordinating tanks, helicopters, and infantry simultaneously, correct? Yes, but also no. Grouping your infantry makes them susceptible to being wiped out by a single aerial bombing run or a well-aimed artillery/mortar strike.

Instead, deploy your infantry as a pseudo-guerrilla force. Direct your infantry to multiple control points to create the illusion of being spread across the map, compelling your opponent to redirect their forces. Then, once the enemy's forces are dispersed, flank with your most potent units like tanks and helicopters. If your micro-management skills are sharp, you can lure enemies with your infantry to keep them at bay until reinforcements arrive. A classic bait and switch tactic!

Broken Arrow is currently available exclusively on Windows PCs.