Box Contents

The Bersaglieri Starter Army is a mix of plastic and metal models containing:

• x6 Bersaglieri sprues (36 Infantry) – Plastic
• Bersaglieri HQ (Officers, Medic, Spotter) – Metal
• Bersaglieri MMG Team – Metal
• Bersaglieri Medium Mortar Team – Metal
• Bersaglieri 20mm AA Gun (Light Autocannon) – Metal
• Semovente75/18 Assault Gun or M13/40 Medium Tank – Plastic

The Vet Horde List

Breakdown

(x) denotes a vehicle-mounted weapon.

Notes and Analysis

The objective of this list is two-part – 1) use as much of the Starter Army as possible and 2) make a List that works at a competitive level. Please keep in mind, this List was written using only the contents of the Starter Army.

So I saw the new Italian Starter Armies and really couldn’t resist giving the box a bit of theory crafting. Unlike my other Starter Army Lists, this one has not been tested on the battlefield so take what I say with a pinch of salt, these are suggestions and not gospel.

Anyone who has read any of my previous articles knows I am a big fan of three flexible infantry squads, these are the boys who will do the work and 8-man Veteran units can stick around a while. Only having one SMG on the NCO is a bit of a shame as it can become an uphill battle to dislodge any SMG squads or Tough Fighters.

The two smaller Bersaglieri squads come fully loaded with LMGs and rifles. These boys pack a strong punch at range and you should use there superior firepower to soften the opponent before the three SMG/rifle squads close in for the kill. These guys will be high up on your opponents priority list so keep them in as much cover as possible and trade shots when the dice are favorable for you.

The HQ is expensive, but Veteran, normally officers are a tax but in a mostly Vet force it would be unsportsmanlike for a rookie to lead them. Also he can order more units around and his higher leadership gives you a fighting chance if things start going wrong. Give them SMGs but remember the Lt. is a support unit so use him to keep your boys moving, don’t go charging off alone.

Two six-man Bersaglieri squads and three eight-man Bersaglieri squads (plus the Lt) gives you 38 Vets to throw around the board and hopefully start the snowball effect of early successes giving the Italian army a bit of a boost (though Avanti Savonia! remains a silly rule).

For support you have an Inexperienced MMG, a Medium Mortar with a Spotter and a Breda 20mm (Light autocannon in your Artillery slot).

Now again anyone who has read any of my previous Starter Armies knows that I love an Inexp. MMG. At 35pts it’s a steal for a threat at range and it’s so cheap if you lose it it’s not a massive loss. The 5 shots at 36 inches isn’t all bad. For the Italians losing units early is bad and this makes the Avanti Savonia! less likely to activate.

The Mortar does what it always does, annoys units in cover and makes your opponent debate weather to move or not (every single turn), the Spotter means you can throw shells out and laugh as they try to draw line of sight to the Mortar.

Now the star of the weapon teams is the Breda 20mm, as a Veteran unit it has a bit of staying power but expect this to be a high priority target for your opponent. A Light Autocannon throws out two AP +2 shots (if firing AT) or two 1″ HE shells (if firing AP). If it hits a unit it can decimate it and with two shots a turn you have a fair chance. It only has three crew it won’t be around forever but stick it in cover and cross your fingers, hopefully your enemy will waste plenty of shots before it falls over.

The final unit is the Semovente 75/18. The Starter Army Box images online shows two tanks but you only get one in the box (the kit lets you build either tank but not both). You can build a M13/40 Medium Tank, but it’s not a Medium tank, it’s a Light tank with Armor 8. It has a Light AT Gun and 3 MMGs, it’s not bad at all but it doesn’t bring enough variety to your army, you need something that can be a heavy hitter. I recommend the Semovente 75/13 (Armor 9) and has a Medium AT Gun, much better! If you don’t know which is which, the Semovente is the tank without the turret.

And that’s it! For £90 (cheaper from third parties) gives you a fairly well rounded force. All you have left over from the box is a single metal Medic who can be your army’s cheerleader and wave from the sidelines. Ten Order Dice is my bare minimum at 1,000pts but a mostly Veteran force doesn’t leave much wiggle room.

– Stephen