In Broken Arrow, your deck or battlegroup is the heart of your strategy. Choosing the right mix of units determines what tools you can use in battle and how well you adapt to your opponent.
This guide breaks down the best beginner decks for the U.S. and Russia, covering unit choices for every category: Recon, Infantry, Vehicles, Support, Helicopters, and Planes.
How to Build a Deck in Broken Arrow
- Choose a faction: U.S. or Russia
- Pick two specializations:
- For example, Marine Corps and Airborne (U.S.) or Air Assault and Mechanized (Russia)
- Fill each unit category:
- Recon, Infantry, Vehicles, Support, Helicopters, Planes
Best U.S. Deck in Broken Arrow
The U.S. faction focuses on flexibility, elite platforms, and layered firepower.
Recon
- Black Ops Force Recon (Maxed): Top-tier stealth and spotting
- Snipers (Any config): Efficient vision control
- BFISTs: Use for optics and APS support only
- Cav Scouts + Bradleys: Great early pressure and map control
Infantry
- Green Ops Raiders: Solid utility and shock power
- Regular Marines: Core unit, cost-effective
- Mech Engineers + BLAAM Bradleys: Must-have combo
- SABER TOW2B Teams: Long-range anti-tank firepower
- Stinger/SRAW Teams: Pair with upgraded vehicles for mobility
Avoid: Mech Rifles unless running a full Bradley deck
Vehicles
- 2 SEPv3s (Fully Upgraded): Durable mainline tanks
- 1 FEP or HC Abrams: Reliable second-line heavy
- LAV-ATMs: Budget tank hunters and zone control
Support
- 1 LSVT + 2 Transports: Mix of offense and defense
- 2 Patriots (4-Missile): High-end air denial
- 3–4 SHORADs (Hellfire preferred): Multi-role AA
- 3–4 AMPVs with Mortars: Versatile fire support
- Cluster Artillery: Area denial and anti-infantry
Helicopters
- 2 SuperCobras (Sidearms + Hellfires): Reliable strike helos
- Transport Helo (Hueys or Ospreys): Based on deployment needs
- Vipers: Optional high-skill unit with strong tools
Planes
- Prowler (HARMs): Best SEAD option
- F-18C (AA Loadouts): Flexible air control
- F-35 (JDAMs): Precision strike
- Harrier (Sidearms + Mavericks): Budget multirole air support
Best Russian Deck in Broken Arrow
Russia offers overwhelming force and a bit more forgiveness in the mid-game thanks to tank durability and elite infantry.
Recon
- 2–3 BMDs (57mm + Missiles): Recon with bite
- 2 Reostats: Cost-effective optics
- Snipers (Kord Typhoon): Safe overwatch
- VDV + BMDs: Optional for hybrid pressure
Avoid: Typhoon 30mm and drones if you are new to micro
Infantry
- 4 Motostrelki + 3 B-10s (57mm): Core line units
- 4 Shturmoviki + 2 T-15s: Strong elite combo
- 2 AGS-40s (B-10 30mm): Suppression fire
- Kornet and Verba/Igla Teams: Standard AT and AA coverage
Vehicles
- 3 T-90M Arena or 2 T-14s: T-90M preferred for cost-efficiency
- 4 T-90A or T-80 Drozd: Budget armor with active defense
- 2–3 Kornet ATGM Vehicles: Useful with recon
- Spruts: Cheap flanking tanks
- BMPTs: Add only if skipping IFVs
Support
- BIG TRUCK: Cheap utility transport
- Buk or Tor (16-Missile): Core AA unit
- Strella, Tunguska, or Pantsir: Mid-short AA coverage
- 2–3 Koalitsias (Long Range): For counter-battery and Patriot hunting
- Vena or Nona: Mortars with direct fire potential
- Grad (Cluster): Utility barrage weapon
Helicopters
- 1–2 Mi-35 (Iglas + Atakas + Jammer): All-purpose, durable
- Mi-28N or NM: Choose based on cost vs firepower
- Mi-8 or Mi-26: Transport for early or heavy rushes
Avoid: Ka-52 unless you want a high-cost hybrid unit
Planes
- Su-35: Multi-config AA dominance
- Su-57: Stealth SEAD
- Su-34: Hybrid SEAD and ground attack
Final Tips for Deck Building
- Don’t overfill categories early on. Focus on synergy and coverage.
- Balance air, ground, and support based on your playstyle.
- Try specialized decks like Airborne-only or Mechanized-only once you learn the basics.
- Adjust for map type: Some maps reward long-range AA or heavy recon.