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New to Bolt Action and would appreciate some advice on putting together a basic Bolt Action force that I can build from. Would like to go for as much mechanization as possible and happy with either Germans or Brits. I may end up purchasing both Brits and Germans in the end to give friends something to play with.
I’ll probably purchase rules/kits in one purchase, so won’t be able to get used to the rules beforehand.

For Brits can I base a list around a couple of infantry boxes, 1-2 Universal Carriers and a tank (Cromwell probably)
Likewise for Germans a couple of infantry boxes, 1-2 Sd.kfz 251’s and a tank (Stug or Panzer III / IV)

It might be worth looking at some of the starter boxes. Get plenty of infantry, a tank, and crew weapons.

Actually, those 500pt starter boxes + a tank look ideal for getting started. Thanks.

Bartali - the 500 point forces are a pretty good deal - but you might be better with some of the build your own deals. What's your budget like? I can help with your initial purchase!

I just got into Bolt Action myself

I used the Build an Army option
you get to choose an HQ option, two troop options, a special weapons option, a light vehicle option, and a tank option.

All for a very good price, I started US Marines myself with this

I started my Germans through the build an army deal, best way to go.

 judgedoug wrote:
Bartali - the 500 point forces are a pretty good deal - but you might be better with some of the build your own deals. What's your budget like? I can help with your initial purchase!

Thanks for the offer
Budget isn't too much of an issue, as Bolt Action stuff seems fairly reasonable for 500-1000pt armies.
I'll probably be doing most of my initial gaming at my local club's escalation league next year starting at 500pts. So 500pts to start with with purchases to build up, and maybe a 500pt loaner army if any friends fancy trying it out.
After being undecided for a while I'll probably start with Brits myself, and then eventually get Germans for a loaner army.

Use the build an army method. You get a hell of a lot from it - those two infantry options typically work out at two full Infantry sections and a couple of weapon teams each. Throw in a light vehicle/transport (I advise the latter) and a tank and you have a robust 1000+ point army.

Bartali wrote:

 judgedoug wrote:
Bartali - the 500 point forces are a pretty good deal - but you might be better with some of the build your own deals. What's your budget like? I can help with your initial purchase!

Thanks for the offer
Budget isn't too much of an issue, as Bolt Action stuff seems fairly reasonable for 500-1000pt armies.
I'll probably be doing most of my initial gaming at my local club's escalation league next year starting at 500pts. So 500pts to start with with purchases to build up, and maybe a 500pt loaner army if any friends fancy trying it out.
After being undecided for a while I'll probably start with Brits myself, and then eventually get Germans for a loaner army.

If you don't mind dropping the £75 right away, then definitely the Build An Army will save you a TON of money. store.warlordgames.com/collections/deals/products/great-britain-build-an-army
I'd recommend taking the following choices for a perfect "starter" style army.
HQ - British Army Command (officer, medic, and aides)
Infantry 1 - British Infantry (25 multi pose dudes to make 2-3 infantry squads and a PIAT team)
Infantry 2 - British Commandos (25 multi pose dudes to make 2-3 veteran infantry squads)
Free Tank - Cromwell Cruiser
Transport - Universal Carrier
Team - British Army 3" Mortar Team or the British Army Vickers machine gun team

This way you can start your escalation league with a couple small squads of infantry and perhaps even the mortar or carrier. Use the versatility of the multipose plastic guys to make a PIAT team, sniper team, light mortar team.

And for the Germans, just get a box of the German Grenadiers plastic box set. With 30 multipose guys, with rifles, smg's, assault rifles, machine guns - you can make a nice small loaner army worth of Germans in a single infantry box purchase.