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Hey guys,

Been thinking about jumping into Bolt Action this last year, and after talking to some guys at my local store who were playing today, I have begun to really consider it. I am a weirdo and love metal models over plastic, thankfully I saw that I can make a whole metal army of US Paratroopers including Howitzers and Mortars. As a former Airborne Infantryman in the army, it hits pretty close to home using pure Airborne.

What I wanted to know though, is would I be hamstringing myself if I went pure infantry with some artillery pieces instead of using any vehicles? And, what do you guys think of the second edition? I am currently trying to find reasons to NOT start Bolt Action. The prices of the models are fantastic, so sell me on Bolt Action and make my wife angry that I am bringing home even more models haha.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh, and what is the average point size of the game. And I saw the guys at the store playing on a 4x4 table, is that the average table size? And do you have difficulty finding games or people to try Bolt Action with you?

As someone who was recently sold on Bolt Action I will say that I am enjoying breaking into it so far. I have yet to play a game but I have been reading the 2nd edition rule book. If you are a 40k player you will find the overall transition is not terribly difficult. A lot of the concepts feel familiar with the major changes I've noticed being the order dice system, how pinning affects unit moral, and how a units combat experience dictates its durability under fire. I am sure there are other nuances I haven't noticed yet but from what I have seen so far it feels both familiar and fresh.

I can't comment on game play quite yet but as far as "bang for your buck" goes I am really pleased with the relatively low cost for getting in to Bolt Action. In the starter kit I purchased I got 20 Airborne Infantry, 12 Grenadiers, and an Sdkfz (all that with a rule book, templates, a shelled out farm house, and markers for a cool $112 USD). After spending a fair amount of time browsing the Warlord Games webapage I have been impressed with the overall mini-to-dollar value.

It says in the rule book that the average play surface is 4x4 to 4x8 which I am used to. And as far as finding a player base, I asked around at the two big game shops in my town and they said they have Bolt Action players that come in, however they are not as common as other gamers. I bought the starter set in hopes of roping a friend or two into the game.

Anyhow, I am sure someone can provide you some better information on the subject as I have literally just started my dive into the game. In the mean time, buy your wife something nice so when the minis arrive at least you have a little buffer zone

You'd do fine without any vehicles but having one is quite useful as a small arms resistant unit that can usually carry a couple of MGs. The mobility is also nice for fighting other tanks otherwise they just go where ever you didn't put your AT gun. Lastly they're a great point sink in bigger games otherwise you end up having to plan a second infantry platoon.

Second edition is an improvement overall. We didn't like templates and went back to the old rules for HE but that's it.

Average point size seem to be 1000 to 1250. 4x6 is a common table size. 4x4 could get crowded pretty quickly if you play against an army with lots of guys. We normally play about 2-3k on 10x6.

BA seems quite popular. My clubs plays lots of niche games but when we meet up with other clubs we always have BA in common.

 durecellrabbit wrote:
You'd do fine without any vehicles but having one is quite useful as a small arms resistant unit that can usually carry a couple of MGs. The mobility is also nice for fighting other tanks otherwise they just go where ever you didn't put your AT gun. Lastly they're a great point sink in bigger games otherwise you end up having to plan a second infantry platoon.

Second edition is an improvement overall. We didn't like templates and went back to the old rules for HE but that's it.

Average point size seem to be 1000 to 1250. 4x6 is a common table size. 4x4 could get crowded pretty quickly if you play against an army with lots of guys. We normally play about 2-3k on 10x6.

BA seems quite popular. My clubs plays lots of niche games but when we meet up with other clubs we always have BA in common.

Well, I plan on getting two of the 1000 point D-Day starters, three of the redeploying .30 Cal MMG Teams, another bazooka and mortar team, and two of both the 57mm Anti-Tank and 75mm Pack Howitzers, plus a few more guys with carbines if I like the rules. I would rather just get pretty much everything I want at once.

How anal are people on using the factory bases? That is my only complaint with the models is that I hate those super thin bases. Are the base sizes 25mm for infantry?

I doubt people would be upset about basing. Especially if they are taller and larger diameter which is to their benefit.

 NH Gunsmith wrote:
...How anal are people on using the factory bases? That is my only complaint with the models is that I hate those super thin bases. Are the base sizes 25mm for infantry?

I believe they are 25mm. I haven't met anyone who gets grumpy about different bases, I've got howitzers mounted on GW oval bases and nobody's complained.

 NH Gunsmith wrote:
Well, I plan on getting two of the 1000 point D-Day starters, three of the redeploying .30 Cal MMG Teams, another bazooka and mortar team, and two of both the 57mm Anti-Tank and 75mm Pack Howitzers, plus a few more guys with carbines if I like the rules. I would rather just get pretty much everything I want at once.

How anal are people on using the factory bases? That is my only complaint with the models is that I hate those super thin bases. Are the base sizes 25mm for infantry?

That is going to be a lot of stuff, you might not get to use it all in games often.

Most players are very relaxed about bases, although the introduction of templates in 2nd ed did add a bit of tension. 25mm is the standard size for standing infantry, you could easily use thicker GW if you'd like. I use a mix of 40x20mm and 50x25mm bases for prone models and 40-60mm rounds bases for my weapon teams depending on which size they fit best. You can also base you weapons teams individually if you prefer.

 durecellrabbit wrote:

 NH Gunsmith wrote:
Well, I plan on getting two of the 1000 point D-Day starters, three of the redeploying .30 Cal MMG Teams, another bazooka and mortar team, and two of both the 57mm Anti-Tank and 75mm Pack Howitzers, plus a few more guys with carbines if I like the rules. I would rather just get pretty much everything I want at once.

How anal are people on using the factory bases? That is my only complaint with the models is that I hate those super thin bases. Are the base sizes 25mm for infantry?

That is going to be a lot of stuff, you might not get to use it all in games often.

Most players are very relaxed about bases, although the introduction of templates in 2nd ed did add a bit of tension. 25mm is the standard size for standing infantry, you could easily use thicker GW if you'd like. I use a mix of 40x20mm and 50x25mm bases for prone models and 40-60mm rounds bases for my weapon teams depending on which size they fit best. You can also base you weapons teams individually if you prefer.

Well, I plan on getting that much to set them up as a diorama in between games. I asked about the bases because I found a company (Proxie Models) that makes 25mm round lipped bases more in line with Warmachine and Malifaux. They also make a large amount of other sized round lipped bases that should be perfect for weapons crews and the Howitzers.

Fellow former T10B wearing 11bang bang: BA is a fun, simple game. You'll likely master it in just a few settings. It can have a very"Hollywood" vibe to it and can be great for reenacting your favorite WWII movies. I will caution you that it is not the best for mirroring small unit tactics (I'd recommend Chain of Command for that), but it is a go to game at all the conventions and gaming events I routinely visit. It also easily translates to 15mm figs (if cost is an issue or you have leftover Flames of War figures). If you like it, I'd also recommend checking out Gates of Antares. It plays pretty much the same, but has a few more tweaks that, IMO, makes it a superior gaming experience over 40k's current system. Enjoy.

1/325AIR wrote:
Fellow former T10B wearing 11bang bang: BA is a fun, simple game. You'll likely master it in just a few settings. It can have a very"Hollywood" vibe to it and can be great for reenacting your favorite WWII movies. I will caution you that it is not the best for mirroring small unit tactics (I'd recommend Chain of Command for that), but it is a go to game at all the conventions and gaming events I routinely visit. It also easily translates to 15mm figs (if cost is an issue or you have leftover Flames of War figures). If you like it, I'd also recommend checking out Gates of Antares. It plays pretty much the same, but has a few more tweaks that, IMO, makes it a superior gaming experience over 40k's current system. Enjoy.

Hooah, Airborne brother. I don't expect it to be a true mil-sim, I just want it to play like a great B or C war movie. I looked at Gates of Antares, and I just couldn't get behind a lot of the models. I used to love SciFi games, but they really just don't excite me anymore (besides X-Wing). Really prefer steampunk/horror/fantasy. I get my fill of that with Malifaux and Warmachine, I haven't had a good "historical" game in my life since I dabbled in Flames of War when it first came out. Who knows though, I might get into Gates of Antares if I like Bolt Action enough... but that would require me to sell off one of my game systems I play. I limit myself nowadays to X-Wing and three other tabletop games at max so I don't end up with multiple closets of models anymore haha.

You can definitely do a "Kelly's Heroes" with this system, so you will enjoy it.

I agree on some of GoA factions/design aesthetic can be a bit off putting, but it has a good unit stats system, slimmer on the special rules than 40k by a long shot, and with a good reaction system that gives it a heads up on similar sci-if war games. I really wish 40k 8th copied that system and that BA used the GoA reaction system, as it is a good, sometimes game changing mechanic that can add a bit of a nail biting action mid game. I've had entire squads wiped out from a failed reaction and seen others do miraculous saves that keeps the game alive each turn.

If BA does not scratch you just right, definitely recommend Too Fat Lardies "Chain of Command." It is a little more complicated, but you can definitely recreate authentic FM 7-8 style squad and platoon tactics. Both games are same scale, platoon plus attachments, individual based so your collection will work in both games. Is a bit tougher to find opponents as it takes longer to master and does not have a point system for pick up games.

Have fun!

The main sales point for getting into any historical wargame is that your collection is not married to the rules. If Warlord were to completely mess things up in a new edition, you can always become a WW2 miniature gamer first and foremost. In a way your collection is evergreen in that the facts of the war in question are not going to change and no one can copyright anything about it.

One thing you might notice though is that the approach to gaming where you collect one half of what you need to play and expect an opponent to show up with the rest of what you need to play has major disadvantages when compared to a game hosting model where you own a complete game with two armies and terrain and invite people to play.

You may discover that the hosting approach has its own disadvantages such as shallow tactics from a non regular opponent, having to do more work in terms of painting and scenario design and so on. For some, it also represents fewer opportunities to game than just playing what's popular locally.

I'm not the most social person myself and over the years I've developed enough local contacts that I can game weekly with the miniatures and rules of my choosing. I also game weekly with the miniatures and rules of someone else's choosing, but when you're a guest at someone else's hosted game, you need to reciprocate. Miniature wargaming started to spread with tiny pockets of people who find like minded individuals and building from there. The approach still works.

I can heartily recommend both the game itself and the miniatures. It's fast and simple compared to other games of this scale. it also lends itself to gaming with people who aren't usually gamers due to both the rules being easy to grasp and the ww2 setting is familiar to almost everyone.

You absolutely can get by without vehicles but you'll have to choose your support options carefully so you have enough AT firepower where you need it.

One more question, if I wanted to mix some of the winter models in the Airborne models to make a Battle of the Bulge army, would that be acceptable?

And thank you guys for the replies, I cannot wait to start playing!

 NH Gunsmith wrote:
One more question, if I wanted to mix some of the winter models in the Airborne models to make a Battle of the Bulge army, would that be acceptable?

And thank you guys for the replies, I cannot wait to start playing!

I'd say that it would not be too much of a problem. Only thing I'd state is if you are doing that, you may want to make sure they were all in Winter Uniform to keep it thematic. But other than theme, it tends to play the same unless you were doing a specific scenario from one of the campaign books.

Otherwise, good luck with it! Hope you do well with your Airborne army (I am an American army player but play more combined arms and try to based my army off of the 442nd Infantry Battalion).

 Tanakosyke22 wrote:

 NH Gunsmith wrote:
One more question, if I wanted to mix some of the winter models in the Airborne models to make a Battle of the Bulge army, would that be acceptable?

And thank you guys for the replies, I cannot wait to start playing!

I'd say that it would not be too much of a problem. Only thing I'd state is if you are doing that, you may want to make sure they were all in Winter Uniform to keep it thematic. But other than theme, it tends to play the same unless you were doing a specific scenario from one of the campaign books.

Otherwise, good luck with it! Hope you do well with your Airborne army (I am an American army player but play more combined arms and try to based my army off of the 442nd Infantry Battalion).

The only reason that I ask is even though I plan to base my army off the 82nd Airborne, the Band of Brothers series is has brought a lot more exposure to the exploits of the 101st, and it was widely known that going into the battles at Ardennes the Airborne forces were short on everything (including winter gear). Plus, I really like both the metal Airborne and winter miniatures, and my table I am building for Malifaux and Warmachine will be a winter table.

 NH Gunsmith wrote:

 Tanakosyke22 wrote:

 NH Gunsmith wrote:
One more question, if I wanted to mix some of the winter models in the Airborne models to make a Battle of the Bulge army, would that be acceptable?

And thank you guys for the replies, I cannot wait to start playing!

I'd say that it would not be too much of a problem. Only thing I'd state is if you are doing that, you may want to make sure they were all in Winter Uniform to keep it thematic. But other than theme, it tends to play the same unless you were doing a specific scenario from one of the campaign books.

Otherwise, good luck with it! Hope you do well with your Airborne army (I am an American army player but play more combined arms and try to based my army off of the 442nd Infantry Battalion).

The only reason that I ask is even though I plan to base my army off the 82nd Airborne, the Band of Brothers series is has brought a lot more exposure to the exploits of the 101st, and it was widely known that going into the battles at Ardennes the Airborne forces were short on everything (including winter gear). Plus, I really like both the metal Airborne and winter miniatures, and my table I am building for Malifaux and Warmachine will be a winter table.

Ah okay, I forgot about that little detail. In that case, I retract that statement a bit. If you can make it work, then I would love to see it. Also, do love the feeling of Winter tables but I have only a few of my armies in winter gear. :/

Plus, it will help give me even more different sculpts so that I am not painting the same couple of models over and over haha.

Thankfully I play Khador in Warmachine, so that is an easy fit for the winter table, Malifaux... thankfully anything can fit with Malifaux as long as I make a few pieces of terrain that is fairly exclusive to the Victorian Horror setting it should work fine.

 NH Gunsmith wrote:
Plus, it will help give me even more different sculpts so that I am not painting the same couple of models over and over haha.

Thankfully I play Khador in Warmachine, so that is an easy fit for the winter table, Malifaux... thankfully anything can fit with Malifaux as long as I make a few pieces of terrain that is fairly exclusive to the Victorian Horror setting it should work fine.

I know how that feeling is. (looks at the pile of Soviet infantry unbuilt, unpainted and all the same...). Still, more power to you on it and good luck!

I love Bolt Action we have a play group meets every Friday night and we have events a lot.

I love the fact that it's easy using the theater selectors in the army books that is historical while being balanced take all commers list. The game is got really high balance slick easy to understand rules. It's innovative and lot of fun.

Warlord Games' home page, as well as the Bolt Action section landing page, says, "1939-1945 28mm World War II Wargaming" right at the top. Also, in the description of the minis on the products page.

These are 28mm minis, not 25mm as previously commented.