Cold Steel:
The Pope’s Divisions

Pope Pius IX (Pio Nino) was a rather belligerent pontiff. And he had an army, and he used it. The Pope’s Divisions has scenarios from three papal wars: 1848, against the Austrians (at Vicenza and Treviso), 1860, against the Royal Italian Army (Castelfidardo), and 1867, against Garibaldi’s Red Shirts (Mentana – the pope’s men actually won that one).

Cold Steel: The Pope’s Divisions is from our new series of mid-19th Century tactical combat games. Units are battalions, squadrons, and batteries; ground scale is 200 meters across each hex; rules and system are closely derived from Infantry Attacks. With two maps, 341 pieces (die-cut and silky-smooth!) and 24 scenarios.

Cold Steel moves back two generations from Infantry Attacks, so the engine needs somewhat more modification. There is no off-board artillery of any sort, no armor and no motorized vehicles. It’s all about infantry, cavalry and artillery.

The system’s designed to cleave as closely as possible to Infantry Attacks, so that players can pick it up quickly. This is supposed to be fun, not an exercise in memorization skills. Fire combat is up close and personal, and assault combat is still there, too (hence the “Cold Steel” series title). You still need leaders to move forward, initiative to activate ahead of the other guy, and if anything, morale is ever more central to success. Artillery is right there on the map, much like the field guns of Infantry Attacks.

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Stock Code: APL0348

Price: $65.99

Status: Coming Soon

Gold Club members can order now at a sweet discount.