Box Contents

The Red Star Rising Soviet Army 1941-43 Starter Army is a mix of plastic, metal and resin models containing:

• x7 Soviet Army Infantry sprues (42 Infantry) – Plastic
• Soviet Infantry Platoon Commander – Resin
• x2 Soviet Army MMG Teams – Resin crew with metal gun
• Soviet Army Medium Mortar Team – Resin crew with metal gun
• Katyusha – Plastic
• T-34/76 Medium Tank – Plastic

The Bit of Everything 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.

For Bolt Action Third Edition, a new Armies of book means new Starter Armies. We’ve already had some great releases for Germany, the US and Great Britain – now it’s time to breakdown what the Soviets have to offer. Using the new Red Star Rising box, I’ve created a 14 Order Dice, 1,250pts force that uses every single model in the box. Nothing was left behind for this “bit of everything” army list.

Across three Platoons (Rifle, Heavy Weapon, and Armored) we leverage all 42 plastic infantry, the resin Platoon Commander, all three resin & metal Weapons Teams and both plastic vehicles. I’ve also gone for variety with our unit picks. No two Infantry squads are the same and we’ve got Soviet special rules across the list.

At a high-level; this Army List is a combination gunline and rush force. The Platoon Commander squad, NKVD, Veteran Squad, and Scouts rush the enemy to bring their SMGs into effective range. The LMG Squad, Sniper Team, two AT Rifle Teams, two MMG Teams, Med. Mortar, and Katyusha all provide significant suppressing fire to cover the advance. The T-34/76 is free to hunt and support as needed.

Your Rifle Platoon Commander is meant to lead from the front. Or, just slightly behind the front. It’s a squad of five Vets, all with SMGs. The PC should be kept within 6″ of the Veterans Squad when possible during the Advance to make sure they keep it moving. There are eight men in the Veterans Squad, all with SMGs. The NKVD are also eight-strong, also all with SMGs but with Fanatics, they won’t need as much direct command from your PC. You’ve got options with your Scouts. They can either forward deploy as Infiltrators, or arrive from Outflank using Behind Enemy Lines. Although only four-men, they all have SMGs and can be an infuriating speed bump for your opponent to deal with. Four Vet Infiltrators in Hard Cover are shockingly tough to dig out. Don’t forget that +1 Cover Save modifier if they have not moved. In total, that’s 25 SMGs that are looking to annihilate enemy infantry at close range. Easier said than done, but that’s why we have significant fire support.

Your Heavy Weapons Platoon offers deadly small arms fire in the form of two MMG Teams. We’ve got solid Indirect HE support form the Medium Mortar who can use their Spotter to fire from behind cover. Your Sniper Team also has the option to deploy via Infiltrators and can be used to eliminate enemy PCs and Weapons Teams. The Light Machine Gun Squad also bring two LMGs to provide additional cover. It’s a more mobile unit than the MMGs so you can freely advance those LMGs forward as needed.

As for enemy vehicles, the pair of AT Rifles will make short work of any Soft-skins and can even Pin Vet Armor 8. Anything heavier the T-34 can deal with. You want force your opponent to keep their head down, to be locked in place giving your SMGs a chance to get into range. If the enemy starts to bunch up, all the better! The Multiple Rocket Launcher on the Katyusha is just waiting to roll some hot 6s. Keep your Heavy Weapons Platoon PC close to the Katy, it automatically takes a Pin every time it fires, and although it’s Vet, you can still fail that Moral 9 Order Check and reverse off the table. We’ve all seen it happen, not a pretty sight. And you can always use your Mortar Spotter for the Katy if you are having issues getting direct LOS, it’s just the Spotter cannot spot for two different units on the same turn.

As for modeling, I was thinking of using the capes on the Sniper Team, all four Scouts and the Spotter. A nice little addition to mark them out as Infiltrators. The NKVD were really just an excuse to use those new bits included in the plastic kit as well. A second unit of SMG Vets would almost certainly be more effective, but not as fun. Plus, the NKVD have two Guard Dogs in the unit and who dosen’t want to add those?

I’m impressed with this Starter Army Box. There is a surprising amount of variety built into that new Soviet Infantry kit and I wanted to take advantage of all those options (Vets, Scouts, NKVD, Reg Infantry). My only concerns are a slight lack of AT capability and the Multiple Rocket Launcher is a tad swingy for my taste. But it’s iconic and new in plastic so we had to at least give it go. Good luck Comrade!

What’s Next?

Thoughts and musings on where to go from here:

• Artillery Platoon – Personally I’d drop the Katy and add an Artillery Platoon with a single ZiS-3. It’s much more dependable but I understand the reluctance to add a fourth Platoon.
• Bigger AT – The T-34/76 is, frankly, outclassed by the other armor options. The standard upgrade to the T-34/85 is so common for a reason. The jump up from a Med. to a Heavy AT Gun really is significant.
• Just make it a horde – With how the Soviet Army Special Rules function, I don’t begrudge anyone who opts for the Inexp. Infantry Horde route. A big Rifle Platoon with a solo PC and four squads of 10 Rifleman could work wonders if you add the proper support like a Commissar, The Victory Banner and few tanks.

– Andrew