Soviet players finally get a big new drop this October. Armies of the Soviet Union: Third Edition arrives with fresh toys.
Moreover, you get a plastic Katyusha and a completely new infantry sprue. This frame is stacked with parts and personality. Consequently, your Bolt Action squads can look gritty, varied, and very Soviet.
What’s Releasing and Why It Matters
October marks the launch of Armies of the Soviet Union: Third Edition. Alongside the book, a plastic Katyusha joins the fight. However, the real star is a modern infantry sprue. It packs options that cover early to late war. Therefore, you can kit out units for many scenarios and themes.
The sprue starts with six bodies in simple summer uniforms. The poses feel dynamic and aggressive on the table. Moreover, Soviet kit is rugged and mass issued by design. These torsos become a broad platform for many unit types. Consequently, building multiple squads will not look repetitive.
Heads for Days, Including NKVD and Female Options
You get twenty heads on a single frame. That is a big deal for variety and theme. Moreover, there are six classic helmeted heads for line troops. There are also six peaked caps for the dreaded NKVD. Combine those with blue trousers for instant political soldiers. The book’s new rules even support full NKVD armies. Additionally, you get officer caps, side caps, bare heads, and bandaged heads. Two new plastic female heads also arrive for the first time. Consequently, your snipers, medics, and radio operators can look authentically Soviet.
Rifles, LMGs, and Long-Range Punch
Rifle fans are covered front to back. There are seven Mosin-Nagants on the frame. Moreover, there is an SVT-40 for flavor and firepower. A pair of DP-28 light machine guns handle suppression. Additionally, a scoped Mosin supports dedicated sniper teams. A PTRD-41 anti-tank rifle brings light armor control. Finally, a captured Panzerfaust enables late war tank hunting.
The sprue leans into the most iconic Soviet weapon. You get three PPSh and two PPS submachine guns. Additionally, a captured MP 40 sneaks in for battlefield scroungers. This lets every model carry an SMG if desired. Therefore, the Soviet SMG Squad becomes easy to build in plastic. Moreover, you can mix weapons for gritty, campaign-scarred looks.
Sidearms, Grenades, and Dirty-Work Tools
The extras round out close range flavor. You get a Nagant revolver and a Tokarev pistol. Additionally, the sprue includes hand grenades for assaults. For brutal brawling, there is a knife and a stout stick. That stick doubles as a signaling flagpole when needed. Moreover, an entrenching tool looks mean in a charge.
The frame is loaded with ammo pouches and rucksacks. Consequently, your squads can look properly supplied for hard fights. Additionally, two capes help sell Scout or Sniper teams. Rolled blankets and greatcoats add campaign weariness. Moreover, a medical satchel enables clear medic modeling.
Loot, Chickens, and the Dog Everyone Wanted
The sprue leans into dark humor and story hooks. There are arms carrying a looted sack of valuables. Additionally, there is an angry chicken for cinematic dioramas. It can be dinner or an improvised weapon in jokes. Finally, each frame includes a dog for Guard Dogs rules. Consequently, themed security details or handlers are now easy to build.
This sprue supports both historical accuracy and tabletop fun. Moreover, it lets you portray the Red Army’s scale and grit. The weapon mix supports flexible lists and missions. Additionally, the heads deliver strong narrative identity per squad. Therefore, painting and kitbashing plans almost write themselves.
Summary
October brings the Soviet book’s Third Edition and the plastic Katyusha. However, the new infantry sprue steals the spotlight. You get six dynamic bodies, twenty heads, and huge weapon coverage. Moreover, there are NKVD caps, female heads, capes, and field gear. Finally, there is loot, a furious chicken, and a loyal dog.
This kit feels like a love letter to Soviet Bolt Action players. Moreover, it nails variety, theme, and tabletop utility in one hit. The parts encourage characterful squads and cinematic tables. So sharpen those clippers, prime your reds, and shout “URRAH” in October.
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
