NOTE: This is a compilation of two articles I found on Bolt Action forums and represents the opinions of the authors. Keep in mind that the recommendations are designed for competitive gaming, not necessarily for historical accuracy. That said, the squads themselves seem accurate, although the combining of them into a competitive army may not be.
Note also that the recommendations are not exhaustive. Missing are the Alpini, the medium tanks and assault guns, anti-tank guns, heavy machineguns, and the specialized desert vehicles.
Italian Squads in Bolt Action
In Bolt Action, Italian squads are a key part of building a competitive army. The Italian force is known for its unique challenges, as it has negative Army Special Rules, which means players need to focus on the units they want to use rather than optimizing for efficiency For example, Arditi squads equipped with submachine guns and light machine guns can be effective Additionally, Guastatori squads are recommended, but players can only field two per platoon
When building an Italian list, it’s important to consider the morale buff/debuff system. If you have inflicted two more unit kills on the enemy than they have on you, your units gain a +2 morale bonus, and vice versa for a -2 morale penalty. This system favors smaller, more elite armies, as inexperienced units die easily
For a balanced and competitive Italian army, it’s suggested to include infantry squads, machine gun teams, and light mortars. Tanks like the L6/40 and M14/41 are also highly recommended due to their cost-effectiveness and killing power
When selecting units, it’s advisable to avoid inexperienced units due to the -1 to hit penalty and the negative Army Special Rules. Units like Bersaglieri with feathered caps can also add a unique flavor to the army
For transport options, Italian trucks are not widely available, so players often use German trucks or consider 3D printing alternatives.
In summary, building an Italian army in Bolt Action requires careful consideration of unit composition and the unique challenges posed by the Army Special Rules
Italian Squads in Bolt Action
Overview
In the tabletop wargame Bolt Action, the Italian army offers a unique and historically rich set of units. The Italian forces are known for their versatility and the ability to field a wide range of infantry and support units. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the different Italian squads available, their roles, and how to effectively use them in your Bolt Action games.
Key Infantry Squads
- Regular Guastatori Destruction Group
– Role: The Guastatori are elite Italian engineers known for their demolition skills and use of flamethrowers.
– Composition: Typically includes a squad leader, several riflemen, and two flamethrowers.
– Cost: 141 points per squad.
– Options: Can take extra men and additional flamethrowers.
– Strategic Use: Excellent for close-quarters combat and clearing enemy positions. Their flamethrowers can cause significant damage and pin down enemy units.
- Regular Decima MAS Naval Infantry Section
– Role: Special forces unit with a focus on amphibious operations and sabotage.
– Composition: Squad leader, riflemen, and two Panzerfausts.
– Cost: 120 points.
– Options: Can take extra men and additional Panzerfausts.
– Strategic Use: Highly effective in urban and coastal environments. Their Panzerfausts provide anti-tank capabilities.
- Regular Infantry Squad
– Role: Standard infantry unit for general combat and support.
– Composition: Squad leader, riflemen, and optional light machine gun (LMG).
– Cost: Varies based on options.
– Options: Can take extra men, LMGs, and other support weapons.
– Strategic Use: Versatile and can be used in a variety of roles, from holding objectives to providing fire support.
- Italian Airborne (Folgore) Squad
– Role: Elite paratroopers known for their tenacity and defensive capabilities.
– Composition: Squad leader, riflemen, and optional LMGs or submachine guns (SMGs).
– Cost: Varies based on options.
– Options: Can take extra men, LMGs, and SMGs.
– Strategic Use: Excellent for defensive play and holding objectives. Their SMGs provide high mobility and close-quarters firepower.
- Italian Colonial Troops (Ascari) Squad
– Role: African colonial troops with a strong reputation for their fighting prowess.
– Composition: Squad leader, riflemen, and optional LMGs.
– Cost: Varies based on options.
– Options: Can take extra men and LMGs.
– Strategic Use: Effective in North African campaigns. Their historical background adds a unique flavor to your army.
- Italian Blackshirt Squad
– Role: Paramilitary units with a strong ideological background.
– Composition: Squad leader, riflemen, and optional LMGs.
– Cost: Varies based on options.
– Options: Can take extra men and LMGs.
– Strategic Use: Useful for morale and propaganda purposes. Their historical significance can add depth to your force.
Support Units
- Regular Medium Mortar Team
– Role: Provides indirect fire support.
– Composition: Mortar operator and spotter.
– Cost: 60 points.
– Options: Can take a spotter.
– Strategic Use: Excellent for softening up enemy positions and providing covering fire.
- Regular Flamethrower Team
– Role: Close-quarters combat and area denial.
– Composition: Flamethrower operator and assistant.
– Cost: 50 points.
– Strategic Use: Effective in urban and confined spaces. Can cause significant damage and pin down enemy units.
- Regular Solothurn Anti-Tank Rifle Team
– Role: Anti-tank support.
– Composition: Anti-tank rifle operator and assistant.
– Cost: 30 points.
– Strategic Use: Useful for dealing with enemy armor. Can be deployed in ambush positions to surprise enemy vehicles.
- Regular Light Howitzer
– Role: Artillery support.
– Composition: Gun crew and spotter.
– Cost: 60 points.
– Options: Can take a spotter.
– Strategic Use: Provides long-range fire support and can be used to target enemy positions.
Vehicles
- Regular L3/35 Tankette
– Role: Light reconnaissance and support.
– Composition: Crew of two, armed with two machine guns.
– Cost: 70 points.
– Options: Can take additional machine guns.
– Strategic Use: Highly mobile and useful for flanking and reconnaissance missions.
- Regular Autoblinda Lince Armoured Car
– Role: Armored reconnaissance and support.
– Composition: Crew of three, armed with a machine gun.
– Cost: 65 points.
– Strategic Use: Provides mobility and fire support. Useful for quick strikes and reconnaissance.
- Regular Fiat 508 CM Transport
– Role: Transport for infantry.
– Composition: Driver and passenger.
– Cost: 23 points.
– Strategic Use: Essential for moving infantry quickly across the battlefield.
- Regular Truck
– Role: Transport for infantry and supplies.
– Composition: Driver and passengers.
– Cost: 39 points.
– Strategic Use: Useful for transporting larger squads and supplies. Can be used to reinforce positions or redeploy units.
List Building Tips
- Focus on Large Squads: Due to the Italian special rule “Avanti Savoia,” which imposes a -2 morale penalty for losing units, it is advisable to field larger squads to minimize the impact of casualties.
- Mix of Infantry and Support: A balanced list should include a mix of infantry squads, support units, and vehicles to cover different combat scenarios.
- Specialized Roles: Consider the specific roles of each unit and how they can complement each other. For example, flamethrower teams can support infantry in urban environments, while anti-tank teams can protect against enemy armor.
- Historical Accuracy: While building your list, consider the historical context and the specific theater of war you are playing in. This can add depth and authenticity to your force.
Summary Table
| Unit Type | Unit Name | Options | Cost (Points) | Strategic Use |
| Infantry (Squad) | Regular Guastatori Destruction Group | Extra Man; 2 flamethrowers | 141 | Close-quarters combat, demolition |
| Infantry (Squad) | Regular Decima MAS Naval Infantry Section | 5 Extra Men; 2 Panzerfausts | 120 | Amphibious operations, anti-tank |
| Infantry (Squad) | Regular Infantry Squad | Extra Man; LMG | Varies | Versatile, general combat |
| Infantry (Squad) | Italian Airborne (Folgore) Squad | Extra Man; LMG, SMGs | Varies | Defensive, close-quarters combat |
| Infantry (Squad) | Italian Colonial Troops (Ascari) Squad | Extra Man; LMG | Varies | North African campaigns, versatile |
| Infantry (Squad) | Italian Blackshirt Squad | Extra Man; LMG | Varies | Morale, propaganda |
| Infantry (Team) | Regular Medium Mortar Team | Spotter | 60 | Indirect fire support |
| Infantry (Team) | Regular Flamethrower Team | – | 50 | Close-quarters combat, area denial |
| Infantry (Team) | Regular Solothurn Anti-Tank Rifle Team | – | 30 | Anti-tank support |
| Field Artillery | Regular Light Howitzer | Spotter | 60 | Artillery support |
| Vehicle (Tankette) | Regular L3/35 | 2 MMGs | 70 | Light reconnaissance, support |
| Vehicle (Armored Car) | Regular Autoblinda Lince | – | 65 | Armored reconnaissance, support |
| Vehicle (Transport) | Regular Fiat 508 CM | – | 23 | Transport for infantry |
| Vehicle (Transport) | Regular Truck | – | 39 | Transport for infantry and supplies |
By carefully selecting and balancing these units, you can create a formidable and historically accurate Italian force for your Bolt Action games.
Typical Regular Italian Infantry Squad in Bolt Action
A Regular Italian Infantry Squad in Bolt Action is a versatile unit that can be configured in various ways to suit different tactical needs. Here’s a detailed breakdown of a typical squad and its options:
Base Composition
– Squad Leader: Equipped with a rifle and a pistol.
– Riflemen: Typically 8-10 riflemen, each equipped with a rifle.
– Light Machine Gun (LMG) Team: Optional, but highly recommended. Consists of an LMG operator and an assistant.
Cost
– Base Squad (Squad Leader + 8 Riflemen): 80 points
– With LMG Team (1 LMG operator + 1 assistant): +30 points
– Total Cost (Base Squad + LMG Team): 110 points
Options and Upgrades
- Extra Riflemen:
– Cost: 10 points per additional rifleman.
– Strategic Use: More men in the squad increase its resilience and firepower, which is crucial given the Italian special rule “Avanti Savoia” (which imposes a -2 morale penalty for losing units).
- Light Machine Gun (LMG) Team:
– Cost: 30 points for the team (LMG operator + assistant).
– Strategic Use: Provides sustained automatic fire, which is essential for suppressing enemy positions and providing cover for your riflemen.
- Submachine Guns (SMGs):
– Cost: 5 points per rifleman to upgrade to an SMG.
– Strategic Use: SMGs are excellent for close-quarters combat and can be particularly effective in urban or confined spaces.
- Hand Grenades:
– Cost: 5 points per rifleman to equip with hand grenades.
– Strategic Use: Grenades are useful for clearing enemy positions and dealing with entrenched units.
- Panzerfausts:
– Cost: 15 points per Panzerfaust.
– Strategic Use: Provides the squad with anti-tank capabilities, which can be crucial in scenarios with enemy armor.
Example Configuration
Here is an example of a well-rounded Regular Italian Infantry Squad:
– Squad Leader: 10 points
– 8 Riflemen: 80 points
– 1 LMG Operator: 20 points
– 1 LMG Assistant: 10 points
– 2 SMGs (upgraded from riflemen): 10 points
– 2 Hand Grenades (for 2 riflemen): 10 points
– 1 Panzerfaust: 15 points
Total Cost: 155 points
Strategic Use
– Fire Support: The LMG team provides sustained fire, which is essential for pinning down enemy units and controlling key areas.
– Close-Quarters Combat: The SMGs and hand grenades make the squad effective in urban or confined spaces.
– Anti-Tank Capabilities: The Panzerfaust can deal with enemy armor, making the squad more versatile in different combat scenarios.
– Resilience: Extra men in the squad help to mitigate the morale penalties associated with the “Avanti Savoia” rule.
Conclusion
A well-configured Regular Italian Infantry Squad in Bolt Action is a balanced unit capable of handling a variety of combat scenarios. By carefully selecting and upgrading your squad, you can create a versatile and effective force that can adapt to different battlefield conditions.
