Axis and Allies Miniatures: Reserves allows you to deploy some of the most innovative and unusual units developed for the war, scramble fast-moving jets, and establish superiority with support units. While you have to wait until November 10th to get Reserves from your local game store, previews of the next expansion begin today.

We kick off the previews with one of the premier elite units of World War II, the Rangers. Priced at 5 points, its inevitable that it will be compared to the Axis workhorse, the SS-Panzergrenadiers. The Ranger unit weighs in with a stout 5/5 defense and slightly less favorable offensive numbers than its Axis competitor. It also has the same Close Assault 7 special ability as the SS-Panzergrenadiers.

One must never forget, however, that Rangers Lead the Way. This special ability allows a Ranger unit to reroll any single attack or movement dice once per turn. This makes it effectively the same (or marginally better in Close Assault) as the SS-Panzergrenadier in terms of attack values. It also has the ability to be much more mobile as the unit has a better chance of making it past difficult terrain or obstacles.

Keeping with the theme of versatility and mobility, the Rangers have a subtype of Spotter, allowing them to function as spotters for your indirect fire units. Not only can the Ranger unit quickly close with the enemy across difficult terrain, but it can call in it's own indirect fire support. Use the Rangers to fix and hold your enemy while you pound them from afar with your other units.

Check back next week when we preview another unit from Axis and Allies Miniatures: Reserves. While you wait, go discuss this unit and other miniatures on our message boards.

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