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Bolt Action
Bolt Action: World War II Wargames Rules: Second Edition
With more than 23,000 copies of the first edition sold, this second edition of the best-selling Bolt Action World War II Wargaming Ruleset from Osprey and Warlord Games presents streamlined and refined rules, incorporating all the FAQs and errata compiled over four years of intensive gameplay. It is fully compatible with the existing range of supplements and also introduces new material. Written by veteran game designers Alessio Cavatore and Rick Priestley, Bolt Action provides all the rules needed to bring the great battles of World War II to your tabletop.
Using miniature soldiers, tanks and terrain, you can fight battles in the shattered towns of occupied France, the barren deserts of North Africa, and even the sweltering jungles of the Pacific. Army options are almost limitless, allowing you to build the kind of army that most appeals to your style of play, from heavily armored tank forces to lightly armed, but highly skilled infantry. The choice is yours.
Using miniature soldiers, tanks and terrain, you can fight battles in the shattered towns of occupied France, the barren deserts of North Africa, and even the sweltering jungles of the Pacific. Army options are almost limitless, allowing you to build the kind of army that most appeals to your style of play, from heavily armored tank forces to lightly armed, but highly skilled infantry. The choice is yours.
228 pages, Hardcover
Published October 18, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 13, 2016
Bolt Action is probably my favorite game in recent years. I played a lot of the first edition rules, and have been looking forward to seeing the changes in this edition. The rule book follows the same format as first edition. The book does lead you through the rules in a logical progression. So as far as rules go this book is well done. (I'm not sure I know what a 5 star-rated rule book would look like, in any case.)
If you are just coming to Bolt Action in this edition, you'll find a solid game that works great. Just enough historical accuracy without the minutia of supposedly more "realistic" rules.
If you are coming from the first edition, I guess you've researched the changes already and don't need my review to tell you what they are. I think the changes to the rally order will make the game significantly different from 1st ed. You're going to be focused on killing units outright rather than making them combat ineffective. Machine guns have gotten deadlier, too. So there seems to be a push toward killing stuff -- not as historical in theme but again this is not a simulation game.
So, my rating is for the rule book and how the rules read. The game itself is a clear five out of five stars for me. After I play it and see how the rule book works in practice I may revised my rating. But I think they have nailed down the gaps with this new edition.
If you are just coming to Bolt Action in this edition, you'll find a solid game that works great. Just enough historical accuracy without the minutia of supposedly more "realistic" rules.
If you are coming from the first edition, I guess you've researched the changes already and don't need my review to tell you what they are. I think the changes to the rally order will make the game significantly different from 1st ed. You're going to be focused on killing units outright rather than making them combat ineffective. Machine guns have gotten deadlier, too. So there seems to be a push toward killing stuff -- not as historical in theme but again this is not a simulation game.
So, my rating is for the rule book and how the rules read. The game itself is a clear five out of five stars for me. After I play it and see how the rule book works in practice I may revised my rating. But I think they have nailed down the gaps with this new edition.
December 18, 2016
I am not sure whynitbtook me three months to finish this except that it was very slow goingbon the assembly of my Soviet infantry. It will be interesting to finally play Bolt Action as it will be my fist "buckets o' dice" miniatures game. I am building a mid- to late war Soviet army but the fiddly plastic models have been a real challenge.
This core rule book provides some generic army composition rules for the major powers but you will definitely want at least your Armies Of book if not an additional source book to assemble an interesting histoeic force rather than just a generic force.
This core rule book provides some generic army composition rules for the major powers but you will definitely want at least your Armies Of book if not an additional source book to assemble an interesting histoeic force rather than just a generic force.
November 17, 2016
As before, Warlord Games have once again produced an excellent set of wargaming rules. This is a well thought out, well written upgrade to the original 1st edition rules that came out 4 years ago. The additions to rules changes all make sense and are well explained in trademark clarity. It's easy to update from the old rules, and the system lends itself well to new players. A must have.
July 13, 2021
How the rules were made is very cool and exciting including the vehicles (I read the book not with kindle), I played two games with my mom weeks ago and she won. We were playing with the Bolt Action Band of Brothers Starter Kit.
August 1, 2017
Enjoyed reading and soaking in the pictures. Looking forward to playing!
October 31, 2016
New edition rules
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews