Italian players have waited a long time for this moment. For years, Italy carried a reputation for wild swings and unreliable performance on the table.
While Avanti Savoia! was memorable, it often punished players once casualties mounted. Fortunately, Bolt Action Third Edition uses the new Armies of Italy book to fully reset how the faction works. As a result, Italy finally feels competitive, flexible, and fun.
A Clean Break From Old Problems
First, the designers clearly wanted to remove the stigma attached to earlier Italian rules. Previously, negative special rules defined the faction far too much. However, those were already stripped out in the PDF updates, and this book completes that process. Instead of penalties, Italy now gains meaningful tools that reward planning and positioning.
Two universal rules lead the charge. Alzo Zero! helps Italian artillery stand firm under pressure, which is huge in a game where guns often panic at the worst time. Meanwhile, Mixed Quality gives Inexperienced units a modest but important boost. As a result, those cheaper squads feel usable instead of disposable.
Defensive Strategy and Early Board Control
Next, the revamped Defensive Strategy rule changes how Italians approach the opening turn. Rather than reacting, Italian forces can begin the game in Ambush. Consequently, this slows enemy momentum immediately and forces cautious movement. While it will not win games on its own, it absolutely shapes early engagements.
This fits the wider Third Edition design philosophy. Germany started the trend with Defend the Fatherland, and Italy now joins that lineup. Therefore, Italian armies finally feel like they belong in the same conversation as other major factions.
AVANTI! and True Army Customization
The headline addition is AVANTI!, the new rule that lets you theme your force properly. Rather than one generic playstyle, Italy can now lean into different identities. As a result, list building becomes expressive instead of restrictive. This is where veteran players will feel the biggest shift, since the army now rewards intention rather than luck.
Even better, this rule framework aligns Italy with how other Third Edition armies function. So while the faction keeps its historical flavor, it no longer feels mechanically outdated.
One Book, Three Italian Armies
Finally, Armies of Italy does not stop with a single force. The book covers pre Armistice Italy, the German backed Republican Army, and the Allied Co Belligerent Army. Each comes with its own units, selectors, and special rules. Consequently, one book supports three distinct playstyles.
Summary
In summary, Bolt Action Third Edition gives Italy a full redesign instead of a bandage fix. Old frustrations are gone, while new rules emphasize artillery reliability, smarter defense, and flexible army identity. Most importantly, Italian players now get meaningful choices instead of coin flips. If you ever wanted Italy to feel competitive without losing character, this book finally delivers.
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