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Hi Guys,

I'm looking into Bolt Action after having a few problem with 40k.

I might pick up a few Germans or Japanese forces. Or maybe both seeing how everything looks amazingly cheap.

I've never played before, but from what I hear the rules sound nice. How difficult is it to adapt to the different rules? Furthermore, is there an army building section using points or do you have to follow set scenarios?

I noticed a section for "Weird War" on the site, and thought that the idea of taking Wulfen SS was fun. Is this acceptable in a normal game? How historically accurate am I expected to be? Do I need to paint everything with the camouflage of the actual soldiers or can I paint them how I like?

Thanks,

Well it is historical so please paint them properly

Lists need not be historical because that would be very tough for a game like this. So take whatever tickles your fancy. Each book (even the rules I think) has lists with points and you also have the choice of themed lists.

Never done weird war sorry.

My advice?

Get the starter set for your army, the rules and army book. That is more than enough to start and the sets are very cool.

But please, please paint them properly haha.

I'll try my best to paint them properly! I was just trying to work out how strict people generally were. I wasn't planning on painting them bright pink or anything, just a simple blue. But I suppose I'll have to look into and find out how to paint them in accurate colours.

I'm not sure exactly how Weird War goes, but I saw models listed http://store.warlordgames.com/collections/weird-war here. There's a werewolf model there!

I'll look into getting a starter set for sure. Japan seems to be rather limited for choice right now. I'm guessing they're rather focused on bayonet charges but not much else. They also lack cavalry options. So I might just go with Germany.

I recently picked up the rules. They don't look hard to learn. I'm not sure how much Weird War gets played using them. Based on their own forums, most folks seem to be playing with the 'historical' forces from the army/period/theater books or main rule book.

One thing I did notice is some of the traits/special rules seem to not be allowed for some units where they would make sense, but allowed for units where they do not make sense (from a historical perspective).

For example, the Recce rule cannot be applied to US jeeps, meaning you can't have a historically correct jeep reconnaissance section, BUT the Germans can take an SDFKZ 234/4 (with the long 75mm AT gun) and it gets the Recce trait (though it was used in reconnaissance units, it wasn't a recon vehicle, it would be used to provide overwatch/fires for the recon vehicles).

It's more of a gMe mechanic with the recon ability making it very hard to knock out the vehicle. If someone had a bunch of cheap jeeps running around it would be nuts

There's supposed to an official Weird War supplement coming for Bolt Action next year due to the tie-up between Warlord Games and Clockwork Goblin - Konflikt '47.

The current beta version of the rules can be downloaded from:

http://www.clockworkgoblinminis.co.uk/downloads.html

NickP wrote:
There's supposed to an official Weird War supplement coming for Bolt Action next year due to the tie-up between Warlord Games and Clockwork Goblin - Konflikt '47.

The current beta version of the rules can be downloaded from:

http://www.clockworkgoblinminis.co.uk/downloads.html

There seems to be some rules for the Wulfen SS in the Weird War link I did earlier. It replaces a flammenwerfer team and costs 50 points, or 80 for an experienced one. However this seems to be intended specifically for a fun halloween themed game with zombies and I doubt normal players would allow me to use them.

 CptJake wrote:
I recently picked up the rules. They don't look hard to learn. I'm not sure how much Weird War gets played using them. Based on their own forums, most folks seem to be playing with the 'historical' forces from the army/period/theater books or main rule book.

One thing I did notice is some of the traits/special rules seem to not be allowed for some units where they would make sense, but allowed for units where they do not make sense (from a historical perspective).

For example, the Recce rule cannot be applied to US jeeps, meaning you can't have a historically correct jeep reconnaissance section, BUT the Germans can take an SDFKZ 234/4 (with the long 75mm AT gun) and it gets the Recce trait (though it was used in reconnaissance units, it wasn't a recon vehicle, it would be used to provide overwatch/fires for the recon vehicles).

Yeah I got that kind of feeling. I have nothing against playing with everything being historically accurate.

No opinions on whether I should choose Germans or Japanese, and the effectiveness of assaults?

Also, how important are transport vehicles? Do my soldiers need transports to be effective?

How much do you like tanks? If they are one of the main appeals of the game for you, then better to go for the Germans as they have the largest numbers of options available to them.

If you aren't that bothered about tanks and like close assaulting infantry, then maybe the Japanese are for you. Close assaults are deadly in Bolt Action - they always result in either the defending or attacking unit being destroyed immediately.

Most of the scenarios are objective based, so it is very useful to have one unit of infantry that can get to an objective quickly. You don't need your entire army to be completely mobile though.

NickP wrote:
How much do you like tanks? If they are one of the main appeals of the game for you, then better to go for the Germans as they have the largest numbers of options available to them.

If you aren't that bothered about tanks and like close assaulting infantry, then maybe the Japanese are for you. Close assaults are deadly in Bolt Action - they always result in either the defending or attacking unit being destroyed immediately.

Most of the scenarios are objective based, so it is very useful to have one unit of infantry that can get to an objective quickly. You don't need your entire army to be completely mobile though.

I'm not too into tanks. I'm very much an infantry person, and close assault sounds fun.

Germany is a big draw because of the experienced elite troops with advanced weapons holding off the masses. I saw that you can have entire squads armed with assault rifles, and they have better machineguns.

Japan is a big draw because BANZAAAAAAI! I think I heard that models with swords have advantages in melee, and I saw that you can get a commander on a horse with a sword!

Colehkxix wrote:

NickP wrote:
How much do you like tanks? If they are one of the main appeals of the game for you, then better to go for the Germans as they have the largest numbers of options available to them.

If you aren't that bothered about tanks and like close assaulting infantry, then maybe the Japanese are for you. Close assaults are deadly in Bolt Action - they always result in either the defending or attacking unit being destroyed immediately.

Most of the scenarios are objective based, so it is very useful to have one unit of infantry that can get to an objective quickly. You don't need your entire army to be completely mobile though.

I'm not too into tanks. I'm very much an infantry person, and close assault sounds fun.

Germany is a big draw because of the experienced elite troops with advanced weapons holding off the masses. I saw that you can have entire squads armed with assault rifles, and they have better machineguns.

Japan is a big draw because BANZAAAAAAI! I think I heard that models with swords have advantages in melee, and I saw that you can get a commander on a horse with a sword!

I play Japan and it is pretty fun. While the japanese aren't historically accurate (not many games are in this matter) in bolt action they do this to level the playing field. For example the Japanese never used swords in combat, the officers are taught that screaming combined with the waving of the sword is worth 10 rifles on the battlefield. This resulted in them spending hours a day training their vocal cords for screaming and ultimately many officers died attempting to use their swords in this manner.

But thats the cool thing about Japanese, historically accurate or not, in ww2. You get to learn about all these very foreign ideas and techniques that are a result of being a real new comer to the industrial age. A real mix with the old and the new.

I highly suggest you go with Japan. It is tough at times and they will force you to leave your comfort zone and take risks but that's all part of the fun. Of all the things you learn about the second world war, Japan will have you scratching your head the most. That isnt to say they did some amazing things as well. On the table they reflect this with things like suicide bombs, bamboo wielding conscripts and so on. Ultimately the force you chose to use is up to you but I highly recommend Japan.

I started with a modest late War Canadian force; but I have shifted to building a British Burma force using Chindits, Gurkhas and other ephemera. Check out all of your options.

Bolt Action will take a few things to get used to as a 40k player.

1. Pinning is a markedly different mechanic that anything in 40k. It can result in units being 'destroyed' without actually dying. It also makes it harder to accomplish your plans.

2. Random activations - The dice cup is a fantastic way to keep the flow of the game from being I go/ You go. Games can change radically due to the order dice are drawn.

3. Overwatch is an action. If you want a unit to attack the foe you can, but you aren't doing anything else.

4. Officers are not heroes. They cannot hold off the horde solo. They are key for morale tests, like they should be. Don't expect a Lt. to blow through squad after squad of foes.

Weird War/Historical Accuracy depends on your foe. Historical gamers can be a cranky and cantankerous lot but most are still gamers.

My Lt. for my Americans is Captain America, using his movie costume.





Stay mostly true and you should be fine. A few vintage/retro nods will in all probability be smiled at and welcomed.

As age of sigmar has ruined whfb for me im looking to move on. I have everything ill ever buy for 40k and looking to find a new game to spend my money on. I have tried a demo game and enjoyed it and I really like some of the mechanics of the game. Also the FLGS usually runs a monthly tournament and 2 nights a week labeled for bolt action gaming. I don't know much about how the armies play out and I am looking for some insight as to the little nuances amongst the nations. Aesthetically and historically I am really interested in an army of Russians/defenders of Stalingrad. I have been debating the $120 army bundle of pick hq/troops/squad/etc. Would that be a good place to start with an hq,2boxes of troops, MMG team, truck, and tank? or would the 1000 pt or 500pt starter sets be better?(I really want the winter troops though)

Would spending the 120 be too much to start with or if im going to play this game go all in and spend the $200 for the army deal+books+dice?

I got the main rulebook and a couple Army books, and ordered a 1000 point force and a few options I knew I was interested in fielding at some point. I intend to use the figures/models for more than Bolt Action, with the To Fat Lardies rule sets 'Chain of Command' and 'Troops Weapons and Tactics' being very likely candidates for use.

I found the prices at http://yhst-12000246778232.stores.yahoo.net pretty good for the armies and many of the Warlord figures and models. I am also getting models from other companies.

The generic (main rulebook) force for Bolt Action is
A HQ element
2 infantry squads

And then you add to that. You get to add 0-3 infantry squads, 0-1 of various infantry teams (machineguns, mortars, FOs, snipers...) and 0-1 big gun (AT type, or arty type or AA type), 0-1 armored cars, 0-1 tank type, 0-1 transports or tow vehicles.

So, at least one box of infantry (or a similar number of infantry if sourced from somewhere other than Warlord plastic sets) is a great start for most armies.

0-1 transports per infantry squad

 judgedoug wrote:
0-1 transports per infantry squad

Yep, I mis-typed that.

 CptJake wrote:
I got the main rulebook and a couple Army books, and ordered a 1000 point force and a few options I knew I was interested in fielding at some point. I intend to use the figures/models for more than Bolt Action, with the To Fat Lardies rule sets 'Chain of Command' and 'Troops Weapons and Tactics' being very likely candidates for use.

I found the prices at http://yhst-12000246778232.stores.yahoo.net pretty good for the armies and many of the Warlord figures and models. I am also getting models from other companies.

The generic (main rulebook) force for Bolt Action is
A HQ element
2 infantry squads

And then you add to that. You get to add 0-3 infantry squads, 0-1 of various infantry teams (machineguns, mortars, FOs, snipers...) and 0-1 big gun (AT type, or arty type or AA type), 0-1 armored cars, 0-1 tank type, 0-1 transports or tow vehicles.

So, at least one box of infantry (or a similar number of infantry if sourced from somewhere other than Warlord plastic sets) is a great start for most armies.

Thank you very much for that link. I think I made my decision to jump right into it and try to play this sunday. For the Americans screaming eagles 500pt starter is $38 coming from GW to have an army even if I don't like the game its not a horrible investment.

Their shipping can be a little high, but with their prices I still made out way ahead of ordering from Warlord direct or from the Warstore. I think I got hit with $24 shipping on an order of about $215 (two 1000 point armies, two sets of dice, a couple extra vehicles and infantry teams). I suspect the shipping charged will be close to what their shipping is, I don't think they are using it to generate profit, but it is a departure from flat rate or hidden shipping costs other companies use.

http://www.navalwarfare.net/storeinfo.html

Their shipping policy is on that page if you scroll down a bit.

I think im going to invest in their starter army bundle. $100 for the army, book, and dice. Even if it is 25 in shipping that's the same cost of a gw starter with my armybook, dice, and 1000 points. I know it wont be a waste as the community is growing around here and I assume more will be looking away from gw as whfb is dead as we used to know it

I shopped on Amazon for my army books, got them used at a price that even with shipping was REALLY low. Got the US book in the mail today, cannot even tell it is a used copy. German book should come next week.

 CptJake wrote:
I shopped on Amazon for my army books, got them used at a price that even with shipping was REALLY low. Got the US book in the mail today, cannot even tell it is a used copy. German book should come next week.

Id feel bad if I didn't at least buy my core rulebook at the shop. Need to support them somehow

I got the core book new from Amazon using Amazon Prime. I shop around for all my hobby stuff. I don't know where the 'local' shop is (we just moved to Braggistan) and online shopping is a lot easier for me.

 CptJake wrote:
I got the core book new from Amazon using Amazon Prime. I shop around for all my hobby stuff. I don't know where the 'local' shop is (we just moved to Braggistan) and online shopping is a lot easier for me.

here in the Chicago area we are very lucky to have one of, if not, the largest mini war gaming markets in the country. we have many local places to go

 Swastakowey wrote:

Colehkxix wrote:

NickP wrote:
How much do you like tanks? If they are one of the main appeals of the game for you, then better to go for the Germans as they have the largest numbers of options available to them.

If you aren't that bothered about tanks and like close assaulting infantry, then maybe the Japanese are for you. Close assaults are deadly in Bolt Action - they always result in either the defending or attacking unit being destroyed immediately.

Most of the scenarios are objective based, so it is very useful to have one unit of infantry that can get to an objective quickly. You don't need your entire army to be completely mobile though.

I'm not too into tanks. I'm very much an infantry person, and close assault sounds fun.

Germany is a big draw because of the experienced elite troops with advanced weapons holding off the masses. I saw that you can have entire squads armed with assault rifles, and they have better machineguns.

Japan is a big draw because BANZAAAAAAI! I think I heard that models with swords have advantages in melee, and I saw that you can get a commander on a horse with a sword!

I play Japan and it is pretty fun. While the japanese aren't historically accurate (not many games are in this matter) in bolt action they do this to level the playing field. For example the Japanese never used swords in combat, the officers are taught that screaming combined with the waving of the sword is worth 10 rifles on the battlefield. This resulted in them spending hours a day training their vocal cords for screaming and ultimately many officers died attempting to use their swords in this manner.

But thats the cool thing about Japanese, historically accurate or not, in ww2. You get to learn about all these very foreign ideas and techniques that are a result of being a real new comer to the industrial age. A real mix with the old and the new.

I highly suggest you go with Japan. It is tough at times and they will force you to leave your comfort zone and take risks but that's all part of the fun. Of all the things you learn about the second world war, Japan will have you scratching your head the most. That isnt to say they did some amazing things as well. On the table they reflect this with things like suicide bombs, bamboo wielding conscripts and so on. Ultimately the force you chose to use is up to you but I highly recommend Japan.

I have to admit I don't know a lot about Japan during WW2. But I do like the unusual theme.

I'll probably go with Japan first, taking risks and charging into melee sounds very fun.

 Frizzenspark wrote:
I started with a modest late War Canadian force; but I have shifted to building a British Burma force using Chindits, Gurkhas and other ephemera. Check out all of your options.

I'm sure with the crazy cheap prices I'll collect many armies once I get started!

 Maniac_nmt wrote:
Bolt Action will take a few things to get used to as a 40k player.

1. Pinning is a markedly different mechanic that anything in 40k. It can result in units being 'destroyed' without actually dying. It also makes it harder to accomplish your plans.

2. Random activations - The dice cup is a fantastic way to keep the flow of the game from being I go/ You go. Games can change radically due to the order dice are drawn.

3. Overwatch is an action. If you want a unit to attack the foe you can, but you aren't doing anything else.

4. Officers are not heroes. They cannot hold off the horde solo. They are key for morale tests, like they should be. Don't expect a Lt. to blow through squad after squad of foes.

Weird War/Historical Accuracy depends on your foe. Historical gamers can be a cranky and cantankerous lot but most are still gamers.

My Lt. for my Americans is Captain America, using his movie costume.





Stay mostly true and you should be fine. A few vintage/retro nods will in all probability be smiled at and welcomed.

I've never experienced pinning mechanics so I'll have to see how that goes. I've always wanted more random activation for 40k, the I go You Go mechanics seem terrible especially for larger games.

I'm a guard player so my officers have never been as heroic as I had liked. I'm sure that if I play as Japan, I will treat my officer as such, leading the glorious charge either on horseback or on foot with a sword. Not that I expect results!

I am a little worried about the historical gamers. I'm worried that no matter which wargame I try to play I will come across crowds I don't like. But I'm sure it'll mostly be fine.

That Captain America guy is awesome!! I love it. Has anyone ever complained when you tried to use him?

 namiel wrote:
As age of sigmar has ruined whfb for me im looking to move on. I have everything ill ever buy for 40k and looking to find a new game to spend my money on. I have tried a demo game and enjoyed it and I really like some of the mechanics of the game. Also the FLGS usually runs a monthly tournament and 2 nights a week labeled for bolt action gaming. I don't know much about how the armies play out and I am looking for some insight as to the little nuances amongst the nations. Aesthetically and historically I am really interested in an army of Russians/defenders of Stalingrad. I have been debating the $120 army bundle of pick hq/troops/squad/etc. Would that be a good place to start with an hq,2boxes of troops, MMG team, truck, and tank? or would the 1000 pt or 500pt starter sets be better?(I really want the winter troops though)

Would spending the 120 be too much to start with or if im going to play this game go all in and spend the $200 for the army deal+books+dice?

I feel the same way with Age of Sigmar. I've been meaning to get some Skaven for a very long time, but now I feel as if it's sort of ruined. Your store sounds great, I'm going to look into the local store near me and see if they do something similar.

I'm pretty sure i'll just end up "going for it" and buying a mass of guys. Especially considering they're crazy cheap.

 CptJake wrote:
I got the main rulebook and a couple Army books, and ordered a 1000 point force and a few options I knew I was interested in fielding at some point. I intend to use the figures/models for more than Bolt Action, with the To Fat Lardies rule sets 'Chain of Command' and 'Troops Weapons and Tactics' being very likely candidates for use.

I found the prices at http://yhst-12000246778232.stores.yahoo.net pretty good for the armies and many of the Warlord figures and models. I am also getting models from other companies.

The generic (main rulebook) force for Bolt Action is
A HQ element
2 infantry squads

And then you add to that. You get to add 0-3 infantry squads, 0-1 of various infantry teams (machineguns, mortars, FOs, snipers...) and 0-1 big gun (AT type, or arty type or AA type), 0-1 armored cars, 0-1 tank type, 0-1 transports or tow vehicles.

So, at least one box of infantry (or a similar number of infantry if sourced from somewhere other than Warlord plastic sets) is a great start for most armies.

I see... but you can take multiple forces in your army right? Two HQs and 4 Infantry Squads minimum and then you have more slots for more things?

Just got my Perry Desert Rats from NWS; $25.00(US) including shipping is a great deal for 38 miniatures... it did take two weeks to get them though.

I've found some great deals on BA books through Half Price Books online store https://www.hpb.com/

you can have multiple platoons which are like combined arms detachments from 40k

As far as buying Bolt Action products I would recommend Triple Helix Games without a doubt, they offer a 20% discount on Warlord's stuff and the delivery processing is top rate.

Colehkxix wrote:
I see... but you can take multiple forces in your army right? Two HQs and 4 Infantry Squads minimum and then you have more slots for more things?

Yup, you can have 1 to infinite platoons. The minimum required for a platoon is 1 LT/2LT and 2 infantry squads.

My 1000 point and larger Polish armies have 2 platoons just because of how cheap inexperienced units as well as early war support and tanks are.

Does anyone here currently play a soviet army?

 namiel wrote:
Does anyone here currently play a soviet army?

They seem to be somewhat popular at my gaming club.