The book just dropped and we’ve had just enough time to write a few from-the-hip hot takes. There’s no time to cover every unit entry, so we will focus on what jumped out.
Take a look at the full Armies of Italy review for a more level-headed analysis.
HQ
Nothing to see here. The HQ section is bog standard. No massive Officer Squads, no unique units, no Italy-only equipment in the Quartermaster’s Stores. This is not necessary a bad thing, all these options are fine. But … that’s it. It’s fine.
Infantry
Alpini Mountain Infantry Squad
Yo they already have Fieldcraft (possibly the best unit Special Rule in the game) at 14pts per model Vet. Additionally you can make them Monte Cervino Ski Battalion and they get Stubborn for +1pt per model. That’s a strong combo. The only downside of Aplini is the limited weapon options. They can only take one SMG and one LMG. But hey, that makes sense for mountain troops! Luckily, if you want some extra firepower you have the option to add Avanti! (Alpini) to Guastatori Engineer Squads.
Bersaglieri Light Infantry Squads
Special shouts to the Bersaglieri for being the only Infantry Squad that can bring two LMGs.
Colonial Troops Squad
I’ve been running East-African Colonial Troops in my Italian force for many years and I’m thrilled to see the options for Colonial Troops in this book. Although it’s only a single unit entry, they can now be Inexp., Regular, or Vet. Previously, they could only be Inexp. Also, Tough Fighters is optional; it’s not automatic. Annnnnd, you can still make them Cav. So, if you are going for Cav, don’t give the squad Tough Fighters. They already have it as long as they don’t dismount.
10th Regiment Arditi Squard
Sure they are already 15pts Vet but they come with Tough Fighter and Behind Enemy Lines. If you really want to go for it, add Arditi Camionettisti (Mechanized Troops) making them 16pts each. And then add some SMGs for +3pts making them 19pts each and toss squads of five into a fleet of Armor 7 AS.42 Autoshariana!
Guastatori Engineer Squad
Gone is the double-flamethrower option. Or is it? This squad cannot bring two Infantry Flamethrowers embedded within the squad. However, what you can do is bring two single-shot flamethrowers instead of the one standard infantry flamethrower. It’s the same cost (+30pts) for either the single Infantry Flamethrower or the double one-shot Flamethrowers and it’s no debate for me. So often you only get that one (maybe two) shots with your Flamethrower. I’d much rather fire twice in one go and be done than fire once with the chance to fire again next turn.
Solothurn anti-tank rifle
For the second Armies of book in a row, we have an AT Rifle with High Rate of Fire. Each time you issue a Fire Order, you fire two shots – incredible. All at the cost of being Fixed. That’s ok – you’ll be deployed in Ambush before Turn 1 anyway. Or you’ll have Run through Rough Ground into Hard Cover on Turn 1 because you paid +2pts to make it Avanti! (Alpini).
Flamethrower Team
See Guastatori Engineer Squad above.
SMGs
I was surprised by the number of SMG options for the Infantry Squads. Any commander worth their salt wants the option for dedicated assault squads. Luckily, there is no shortage for Italy.
- M Battalion Squad – NCO + 4 SMGs
- Folgore Paracadutisiti Squad – NCO + 4 SMGs
- Nembo Paracadutisiti Squad – Any model may bring an SMG
- X Arditi Squad – Any model may bring an SMG (note, these are 3pt SMGs as they already have Tough Fighters)
Artillery
37/45 Anti-tank Gun
The Italian 47/32 Elefantino Light AT Gun has the option to add a Gun Shield for +5pts. If you go this route, you can change the gun itself from an Elefantino to the iconic German PaK 36. Rules-wise it’s exactly the same as any other Light AT Gun. Three crew, Pen +4 with a Gun Shield, but the specific callout to use a different model is not something we typically see. We are often looking for ways to make our forces unique, to make them stand out on the table. Rolling up to the table with an Italian force and deploying German PaK 36s is one of those ways.
90/53 Dual-Purpose AA Gun
It’s an 88! And unlike previously, it has the full complement of seven crew! If you are going to bring a Super-heavy AT Gun, you are gonna want all seven of those crew.
Vehicles
Ferrear Mole, Ferreo Coure (Iron Hulls, Iron Hearts)
There are seven Italians Tanks with Iron Hulls, Iron Hearts. I want this rule on more. Especially the SPGs and TDs with a hull-mounted gun. Those vehicles are required to Advance much more often than a tank in order to bring their fixed gun to bear on the target. A re-roll to get that Advance order taken care of would be a nice touch.
Fiat 665nm Scudato
It’s no longer closed topped. This is a very interesting change. We all know how powerful and rare closed-topped, armored transports are. But looking at photos of this bus of a transport, it certainly lacks a roof.
Quartermaster’s Stores
All I’m going to say is that it’s a sad state of affairs.
More Unit Analysis & Hot Takes:
Chicago Dice 