Italian Civil War – A Bolt Action Event Day

Event Summary

Italian Civil War is a one-day, two-game event of narrative fun and linked battles. This is not a formal tournament or competitive event. We ask that players come to try the new Italian rules, enjoy a relaxed format, and have fun battling deciding the fate of Italy.

This event will track the confused and spiteful battles among Italian forces immediately following the Italian Armistice of 1943. Partisans, the Regular Army, and Black shirt Militias all sought to control the government. The fighting was as bitter as it was chaotic.

The event is taking place on Saturday, May 9 at Grognard Games & Hobbies – 839 N Roselle Rd, Roselle, IL 60172.

New players with no Bolt Action experience are welcome! We will have experienced players on-hand to help any new players as well as forces available to use.

There is no cost to attend the event. The event is capped at 20 players.

Tables needed! If you can bring a table, email Zack at zacharyd019@gmail.com.

Event Rules

  • All players and forces will support either the Axis (Italian Republican Army “RSI”) or the Allies (Italian Co-Belligerent Army). All nations are allowed at the event and each will pick a side to support.
  • Germany, the United States, Great Britain, Imperial Japan, the Soviet Union and Italy must use their Armies of… book to build their Army List.
  • Other nations must use the Further Axis & Allied Nations PDFs to build their Army List.
  • The January 2026 FAQ & Errata will be used.
  • The Appendix: Late-War Italian Forces Army Lists from Armies of Italy: Third Edition are allowed (and encouraged!) for Co-Belligerent Army (Allies) and RSI (Axis).

Model Requirements

Armies must be fully built and primed. Any models that do not meet these requirements will not be allowed on the table

List Building

Each player will create an Army List to use for both games. The Army List must be:

  • 800pts
  • 15 Order Dice max
  • 3 Platoons max

To represent the chaotic nature of the Civil War, the popular uprising, and general state of Italy at the time, there are bonus Tournament Points (TP) awarded for specific Army List building:

  • +1TP for every Inexperienced unit of at least 6 models in your Army List.
  • +1TP for every unit with Shirker and/or Unreliable.
    • Example: An Inexperienced Shirker unit of 12 models will earn +1TP for being at least 6 models and +1TP for being Shirkers).
  • +1TP if your whole army is suitably Italian themed (feel free to be creative).
  • +4TP if your whole army is fully painted (meets the Three Color Minimum).

Games and Scoring

The day will feature two games with a break in-between. Game 1 (1v1) will be 2 ½ hours long and Game 2 (2v2) will be 3 hours long.

Game 1 is a 1v1 scenario battle, matching Axis (Italian Republican Army (RSI) Supporters) vs Allies (Italian Co-Belligerent Army Supporters) to the best of our ability. Players will track their unit losses (these will play a role in Game 2). Achieving certain objectives in Game 1 will affect Game 2.

Game 2 is a 2v2 battle to fight for control of a key objective. Players will use the same 800pt list from Game 1. Partners and airings for Game 2 will be Axis (Italian Republican Army (RSI) Supporters) vs Allies (Italian Co-Belligerent Army Supporters) wherever possible.

Tournament Point are awarded for games results:

  • Win: +12TP
  • Tie: +6TP
  • Loss: +0TP

Awards

Prizes will be awarded for:

  • Best Overall – Highest TP.
  • Best Axis (Italian Republican Army (RSI) Supporter) – Highest Axis TP that is not Best Overall.
  • Best Allied (Italian Co-Belligerent Army Supporter) – Highest Allies TP that is not Best Overall.
  • Best Battlefield – As voted by the players.
  • Players Choice / Most Italian – As voted by the players.
  • The Fanatic – Player who had the most units become Fanatic.
  • The Shirker – Player who had the most units become Shirker.

Questions?

Contact Zack at zacharyd019@gmail.com with any questions.