From Arkanum Games
PDF – $10.99 USD
This Game Is in a Playtest
Setting & Theme
The turmoil of the Russian Civil War began in the wake of the 1917 revolutions, when centuries of imperial rule collapsed under the weight of social and economic discontent. The upheaval opened the door for new political forces, and soon, multiple factions vied for control of the vast former empire. On one side stood the Bolsheviks—asserting that they represented the workers and peasants, bringing a message of far-reaching societal transformation that inspired countless people to join their ranks. Opposing them, the loosely aligned forces known as the Whites, supported by various international powers and vested interests, fought to restore older orders or carve out their own visions for Russia. Although the conflict splintered in many directions, it remained firmly rooted in the struggle over who would guide the country's future and how power would be distributed among its people.
Unlike the trench-bound stalemate of the First World War, the Russian Civil War was marked by rapid maneuvers and fluid fronts. Vast distances, a lack of entrenched infrastructure, and the relatively low density of troops across Russia meant that armies often engaged in swift advances, unexpected withdrawals, and frequent redeployments. The scale of the territory—with few solid lines of fortification—made classical positional warfare almost impossible. Instead, cavalry raids, partisan actions, and sudden breakthroughs determined the tempo of battle. This mobility, combined with frequent shortages of supplies and equipment, lent a unique character to the conflict, where improvisation and local initiative could be as decisive as raw manpower or imported weaponry.
In Blood on Snow, you'll command squads of Soldiers, partisans, and officers in tense skirmishes that capture the chaotic atmosphere of this civil war. Despite limited resources, the Reds brought together a determined coalition of workers, peasants, and revolutionary intellectuals; the Whites, meanwhile, struggled to unify a host of competing ideologies and foreign goals. This clash of ideals and resources underpins every firefight, siege, and last-ditch charge—offering a theater of war where individual heroics and strategic cunning can tip the balance. The rapidly changing front lines underscore the fluid nature of operations, bringing a dynamic and improvisational edge to every engagement.
Core Concepts
This small-unit skirmish wargame with alternating activations puts you in command of around ten models per side, including squads of soldiers, commanders and specialists. The game is miniature-agnostic, allowing you to use any miniatures you have – historical figures, conversions, or creative stand-ins. The rules were written with a scale of 15mm in mind. Customization drives the system, letting you tweak units' gear, assign special equipment, or even craft entirely homebrewed firearms using provided formulae. Every choice, from an improvised grenade to a modern imported rifle, directly impacts how your detachment performs on the tabletop.
Within each skirmish, you'll see a blend of shooting, melee and tactical movement. Soldiers spend actions to maneuver, take cover, charge enemy positions, or unjam an unreliable rifle. In this game, every shot and stand carries deeper implications – logistics come into play through the Reload mechanic, forcing soldiers to keep track of dwindling ammunition and unpredictable supply lines. The jam check highlights the harsh realities of unreliable firearms, reflecting that not all weapons on the battlefield functioned flawlessly.
The conviction test simulates the uncertain loyalties of the period, as entire units might waver, defect or desert if they lose faith in their cause. Shifting allegiances and morale often dictated the chaos of the civil war. The Discipline test reflects the fragile chain of command that defined many units during the conflict, particularly Bolshevik forces experimenting with direct democracy on the front lines. Some Red units allowed soldiers to vote on orders, often challenging commanders, and leading to disorganized offensives or mutinies. Soldiers roll a discipline test when receiving an order to determine whether they follow commands, showcasing the impact of ideology and morale on their decisions.
Meanwhile, the wound mechanics ensure that injuries reflect the unpredictable outcomes of combat in this chaotic war. Shots or stabs don't guarantee instant death; instead, players roll to determine the severity and location of wounds. A soldier might receive a minor scratch with slight penalties, or suffer a debilitating leg injury that slows movement. Rarely, a lucky shot or knife thrust results in an immediate kill, adding tension and uncertainty to every combat interaction.
Whether you're playing a straightforward firefight or crafting detailed scenarios—like raids, ambushes, or city battles – the mechanics immerse you in the intensity of the civil war's fluid front lines.
Player Count & Playtime
Designed primarily for two players, each controlling a detachment of around ten models, a standard game lasts about two to three hours once everyone is comfortable with the rules. Smaller games can wrap up faster, while adding more players or scaling up model counts can extend the session. The ruleset is flexible enough to handle multi-player or larger engagements if you and your gaming group prefer more ambitious battles.