Broken Arrow: Best Decks for U.S. and Russia

On the lookout for the best decks for Broken Arrow? Broken Arrow is a fast-paced RTS where building a solid deck is key to dominating battles. Your deck, or battlegroup, determines which units you can deploy, so picking the right mix is crucial.

Here’s a simple Broken Arrow guide to crafting a balanced deck for beginners, focusing on the U.S. or Russia factions.

How To Build a Deck in Broken Arrow

Start by choosing a country (U.S. or Russia) and two specializations from five options, like Marine Corps or Airborne for the U.S. Each specialization unlocks unique units, so mix ones that fit your style.

For example, Marine Corps for ground strength and Air Support for sky control. Your deck splits into six categories: Recon, Infantry, Vehicles, Support, Helicopters, and Planes.

Best U.S. Deck for Broken Arrow

The U.S. has access to some of the most versatile and durable platforms in the game. Here’s an optimal combination for the best deck.

Recon

Black Ops Force Recon (Maxed) – Elite spotting and utility.
Snipers (Maxed, any config) – Cheap and efficient vision control.
BFISTs – Partially upgraded with optics and APS (skip armor).
Cav Scouts + Bradleys – Great for map control and early skirmishes.

Infantry

Green Ops Raiders (2–3) – Underrated, efficient shock troops.
Regular Marines (3–4) – Meat of the roster, great value.
Mech Engineers (Maxed) – For BLAAM Bradleys; a must-have combo.
SABER TOW2B Teams (Maxed) – Long-range tank killers.
Stinger/SRAW Teams – In either upgraded Bradleys or AMPV with Javelins.
Note: Avoid MECH Rifles/LMGs unless you’re going for a pure Bradley deck.

Vehicle

2 SEPv3s (Fully Upgraded) – Frontline anchors.
1 FEP or HC Abrams (Maxed) – Cheap-ish heavies with solid staying power.
LAV-ATMs – Cheap, fast, and flexible; fill remaining points here.

Support

1 LSVT + 2 Smaller Transports – LAVs for offense, tracked for defense.
2 Patriots (4-missile variant) – High-end AA coverage.
3–4 SHORADs (Stingers) – Preferably with Hellfires to multitask.
3–4 AMPVs with Mortars – Skip the LAV-M entirely.
Cluster Artillery – For area denial and anti-blob pressure.

Heli

2 SuperCobras (Sidearms + Hellfires) – Multipurpose strike helos.
Transport Helo of Choice – Hueys for sneak attacks, Ospreys for bulk deployment.
Vipers – Optional; strong but micro-heavy and less versatile.

Air

Prowler (4 HARMs or 2 HARMs + 2 ECM) – Consistent SEAD capability.
F-18C (Each AA Loadout) – Air superiority and multi-role potential.
F-35 (JDAMs) – For heavy, pinpoint air-to-ground strikes.
Harrier (Sidearms + Mavericks) – Budget-friendly utility plane.

Best Russian Deck for Broken Arrow

The Russian deck leans on sheer firepower and durability, with more emphasis on vehicles and infantry synergy. It’s also more forgiving with micro, especially in the mid-game.

Recon

2–3 BMDs (57mm + Missiles) – Mobile, multi-role recon vehicles.
2 Reostats (Upgraded Optics) – Solid recon backbone.
Snipers (Kord Typhoon) – Great overwatch.
VDV + BMDs – Optional but adds flexibility.
Avoid: Typhoon 30mm and drones unless you’re confident with micro.

Infantry

4 Motostrelki + 3 B-10s (57mm module) – Core frontline units.
4 Shturmoviki + 2 T-15s (57mm) – Elite infantry with heavy support.
2 AGS-40s (B-10 w/ 30mm) – Area suppression.
Kornet and Verba/Igla Teams – Your staple AT and AA coverage.

Vehicle

3 T-90M Arena or 2 T-14s – Both are excellent; T-90M slightly preferred.
4 T-90A (Jammer) or T-80 Drozd (APS) – Budget tanks with utility.
2–3 Kornet ATGM Vehicles – Choose config based on recon availability.
Spruts – Cheap gun tanks to flank or fill.
BMPTs – Only needed if you skipped other IFV-heavy units.

Support

BIG TRUCK – Cheap troop transport with great utility.
Buk or Tor (16 missile) – Long-range AA mainstay.
Strella/Sosna or Tunguska/Pantsir – Reliable mid/short-range AA.
2–3 Koalitsias (Extended Range) – Ideal for counter-battery or Patriot sniping.
Vena or Nona Mortars – Direct fire capable; Vena slightly preferred.
Grad (Cluster) – For pressure and utility.

Heli

1–2 Mi-35 (Iglas + Atakas + Jammer) – Multi-role, durable helos.
Mi-28N or NM – Mix AA and ATGMs on pylons. The N offers better value; NM has LMURs.
Mi-8s or Mi-26 – Transport choice based on your tempo.
Avoid Ka-52 – Not bad, but overpriced compared to Mi-28.