Felix's Gaming Pages Blog

Here are a few of Simon’s British Sherman tanks for Flames of War.

Rear view.

Here are a couple more of Simon’s British Sherman tanks for Flames of War.

This is his Sherman Firefly armed with a 17pdr.

Another “normal” Sherman.

More photographs from Flames of War.

Here are a couple of Simon’s British Sherman tanks for Flames of War.

More photographs from Flames of War.

Flames of War British Army M5 Half Tracks from Simon’s collection.

I know, I know, a new set of rules, a new scale and more painting!

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.

Players get to decide which of the major or minor World War II powers they would like to represent, and then construct their armies from the lists provided. Army options are almost limitless, allowing you to build the kind of army that most appeals to your style of play. The choice is yours.

Created as a joint project between Warlord Games and Osprey Publishing, the leading independent military history publisher, Bolt Action is sure to be the most popular new wargame on the market.

I have been intrigued by Warlord Games’ Bolt Action rules for a while now so was pleased to get hold of a copy.

Initial impressions are very positive, it is an extremely well produced publication, with great looking photographs.

I’ve not had a chance to read it fully or even play the rules, but one of the reasons I am looking forward to playing the game is I like the idea of using order dice.

One thing I do need to decide is which army to go for.

I do quite like the look of the Assault on Normandy starter set.

Assault on Normandy starter set gives you everything you need to pit your tactics and wits against your opponent as you recreate the great battles of World War II on the tabletop! In addition to the glorious Bolt Action rulebook and eight Orders Dice, you will find forty hard plastic, multi-pose 28mm miniatures as well as terrain for them to fight over. This is a great starting point as you seek to defeat your foes and bring an end to the greatest conflict in history.

This is the perfect starting point for Bolt Action, and I would have probably bought it if I knew it was available when I bought the Bolt Action rules…

The ruins are very nice and hopefully will be available separately.

In the box you get two starter armies, US and German, however my regular opponent, Simon, has told me that he wants to go Italian. To quote him

“So I can wargame with a really silly accent and not worry about having to paint camo on paratroopers.”

My problem is who do they fight?

The obvious option is the British in North Africa. I am also thinking about Greek forces. Another option would be the invasion of Sicily.

Time though now to read the rules.