Strategy & Tactics #338: Russian Boots South – Conquest of Central Asia is a two-player strategic wargame simulating the Russian Empire’s 19th-century expansion into Central Asia. Covering the campaigns between the 1850s and 1890s, players relive the military and political struggle that brought Russia’s borders deep into the heart of Asia, confronting the independent Khanates of Khiva, Bukhara, and Kokand, as well as the tribes of the vast steppe and desert regions.

• Historical Background: During the mid-to-late 19th century, the Russian Empire embarked on a campaign of conquest to dominate Central Asia — a region that had long been the crossroads of trade and empire. This expansion, part of the larger “Great Game” with Britain, saw Russian armies battle the Khanates and tribal confederations that resisted encroachment. Through diplomacy, force, and logistics, Russia gradually absorbed the region, establishing control over what would later become modern Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and parts of Afghanistan and Persia. Russian Boots South captures the shifting momentum of these decades of conquest and resistance.
• Gameplay & Objectives: One player controls the Russian Empire, representing the central command directing a vast yet overextended imperial army. The opposing player controls the Khanates and tribes of Central Asia, resisting conquest through mobile warfare, raids, and diplomacy. The Russians must expand their reach and secure strategic territories, while the Khanates aim to slow, disrupt, and resist through attrition and regional uprisings. The asymmetric victory conditions reflect this historical imbalance — conquest versus survival.
• Game System & Scale: Based on the acclaimed system used in They Died with Their Boots On and Sepoy Mutiny, Russian Boots South features interactive, event-driven gameplay that combines military operations, logistics, and randomised developments. Each turn represents one to six years, allowing the game to span the entire 40-year campaign. Each hex represents 80–90 kilometres (approximately 53 miles). Russian units represent battalion-level formations of infantry or cavalry, while Khanate forces represent tribal or regional contingents ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 fighters. Generals embody historical commanders and their elite guards, influencing movement and combat effectiveness.
• Strategic Challenges: The Russian player must manage long supply lines, difficult terrain, and the limits of imperial administration while pressing southward into hostile deserts and mountains. The Khanate player uses mobility, guerrilla tactics, and the terrain itself to delay and frustrate Russian advances. The combination of shifting alliances, event-driven campaigns, and operational limitations ensures every game unfolds differently.

Game Components:

• 1 x 22” x 34” full-colour map depicting Central Asia and surrounding regions
• 176 die-cut counters representing Russian battalions, tribal forces, and logistical units
• Comprehensive rulebook featuring core and optional rules, event tables, and historical commentary
• Three distinct scenarios covering different phases of the conquest

Scale:
Players: 2
Level: Operational/Strategic
Turn: 1–6 Years
Hex: 80–90 Kilometres (53 Miles)
Units: Battalions, Brigades, Divisions, and Tribal Forces

Gameplay Focus: Russian Boots South – Conquest of Central Asia offers an immersive simulation of 19th-century imperial warfare, blending strategy, logistics, and historical uncertainty. It challenges players to navigate both the harsh geography of Central Asia and the equally complex politics of empire and resistance.

Strategy & Tactics #338: Russian Boots South – Conquest of Central Asia is a must-have for enthusiasts of colonial campaigns, 19th-century military history, and asymmetric wargames.

Available now from Milsims Games — Australia’s leading store for historical wargames and strategy titles for over 50 years. Price-match guarantee and fast local shipping from Mont Albert, VIC.

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