Bolt Action Basics - artillery movement and orders

Hello everyone and welcome back to the channel and the eleventh video in the Bolt Action Basics series. In this video, we are going to be looking at artillery in games of Bolt action and how we assign orders and move both artillery and anti-tank guns.
In games of Bolt Action, artillery pieces and anti-tank guns are issued orders and moved a bit differently when compared to infantry and tanks and vehicles. Their move orders are at different rates and their movement is also handled in a different manner. In this video, we will be looking at three examples of issuing orders and movement in games of Bolt Action
As with the rest of the Bolt Action Basics series, the videos are intended to be a very basic overview rather than a detailed analysis. I would always recommend picking up a copy of the main Bolt Action rulebook as this will expand on the areas of the game covered by this video and the rest of the Bolt Action basics series.
Bolt Action Basics;
Building a Bolt Action army - • Bolt Action Basics - B...
Unit quality and issuing orders - • Bolt Action Basics - U...
Combat - • Bolt Action Basics - C...
Pinning and morale - • Bolt Action Basics - P...
HQ units and snap to action - • Bolt Action Basics - H...
Transports and tanks - • Bolt Action Basics - t...
Ambush - • Bolt Action Basics - A...
Troop and vehicle movement - • Bolt Action Basics - t...
Medics and snipers - • Bolt Action Basics - m...
How HE works - • Bolt Action Basics - h...
If you are new to Bolt Action or you are thinking about taking the plunge and starting to play the game, I hope that you will find this video series of videos helpful or interesting.
They are intended to be a very brief outline of the basic aspects of the game that will help you at the beginning of your Bolt Action journey.
If you have any comments or questions, just pop them below and I will certainly respond to all questions and comments. If you enjoyed the video, please give it a like and consider subscribing to the channel for more gaming goodness!
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Instagram: on_point@hq
Twitter: @point_hq
You can also join our Facebook group - / onpointhq
Credits;
Gently, onwards - ELPHNT
Happy gaming and may your dice roll well!

[@AlphaGator9]

I am a retired Field Artillery soldier. Thank you!

[@OnPointHQ]

Awesome! Then that was definitely the video for you then! I don't often use artillery in games of Bolt Action but I always enjoy building and painting them 😊

[@zumerset8739]

Thank you for your service sir!

[@SoB413]

I think I've said this once or twice : perfect videos for getting started!!! Great work sir👍

[@OnPointHQ]

Cheers mate, that's very kind thank you! That's the aim of the series, to show new or aspiring gamers the basics of the game. I think a brief overview can really help show great a game is 😊

[@8bitkefka]

57mm anti-tank gun... I damage onces does it remove it... or what happens to the 3 crew... if they stay are there any penalties for the shots after?

[@joshpickering5039]

Really enjoying your bolt action videos mate, love the conversion videos, offers up some great ideas for making your own models. Keep up the good work!

[@OnPointHQ]

That's awesome, cheers Josh, much appreciated mate! I could probably make every video a kitbashing or conversion video as it's really one of my favourite parts of the hobby. The idea of having really unique and models individual to my armies are what inspires me. I always enjoy seeing the different ways other gamers kit bash and convert their own unique figures. Glad you enjoy the channel buddy 😀👍

[@frik422]

HI, IM THINKING OF BUYING THE 88MM PAK 37 CAN IT BE TOWED WITH A maul TIER AND HOW IS THE BRINGING ON BOAR SEQUANCE, IS IT WORTH IT.

[@BrushQuill]

Another great video. Really clear.

[@OnPointHQ]

Thanks Cal, there are quite a few other nuances that I didn't cover in the video so keeping it short and concise was a bit of a challenge! Hopefully it covered the main basic mechanics :)

[@theenigmaticgamer]

Another helpful vid for my Bolt Action playlist! Thanks Ste.

[@OnPointHQ]

Thanks Keith! I'm really glad that you are finding the series useful. Its been really good making these types of videos and I really cannot wait to get back playing Bolt Action again :)

[@xr8rgreat]

With rocket artillery when you range in I know you have to roll a 6+ to hit units with in 6" radius what about the unit you ranged in on initially?

[@longstreet0163]

Hang on......I'm pretty sure an Opel Blitz could tow PaK 40. I'm also fairly confident that PaK 40 crews could move their gun by hand in a limited manner. I was just gonna start collecting this game, but I'm gonna have to think about it now. Why do the devs bring in silly and inaccurate rules like that?

[@OnPointHQ]

There has been a change in the rules since this video was made in that artillery pieces, anti-tank guns etc can be moved onto the table in turn one without the need for a tow 😃👍

[@Ian_Comics]

Thanks. I didn't know light/med artillery only had a run speed of 6".

[@OnPointHQ]

I'm glad you found the video helpful 😃👍

[@GamingWithBacons]

Excellent video! Would love to see videos on firing on different targets and different situations.

[@paulspaintshed3511]

Top vid as usual Ste.

[@OnPointHQ]

Cheers Paul, much appreciated buddy! The movement and orders for artillery are pretty different to other units so I thought this would be a good topic for a video 😊

[@tonylittle9096]

Can artillery start the game already on the field or do they need to be towed into place ?

[@OnPointHQ]

It would all depend on the type of game/scenario you are playing I guess. For example if it was a standard engagement where units are brought onto the table in turn one then I would say that a tow would be required. But if you were playing a scenario whereby you could set up on the table before the game starts, I would say a tow wouldn't be required. This is because I'd assume the artillery piece was towed into position before the battle started and has already left the battlefield ☺

[@1982Clarkey]

Bang On, just what I needed. Can't wait for the next one.

[@OnPointHQ]

Hey Chris, good to hear from you buddy. That's excellent and I'm glad it helped. It was a little uncanny that it was going to be the next video after you asked about it. I hope the video outlined what you were looking for :)

[@1982Clarkey]

@@OnPointHQ I'm still struggling with squad composition if I'm honest. I dunno if I go with squads that can do it all or squads good at doing one thing e.g loads of SMGs or loads of Assault Rifles or loads of Rifles.

[@OnPointHQ]

I really think it's down to personal preference and how you want them to operate. An example I always give is my Fallschirmjager. Typically it's a 10 man veteran section with two LMG's. This gives me flexibility to either run it as on offensive section where I'll add a few assault rifles. If I plan to use them defensively, I'll save the points and keep the rest of the section with rifles. Having the two LMG's with the buzzsaw rule, I know that I'm going to be throwing at least 10 shots a turn 😊

[@tonylittle9096]

What do you think of nebelwerfers?

[@OnPointHQ]

Hey Tony. I've never used a nebelwerfer but I plan to add one to my German army at some point this year. I've seen them used in battle reports and when they hit they can be pretty devastating. It's also a pretty iconic weapon which is why I want to include one in my collection 😊

[@tonylittle9096]

@@OnPointHQ iv always had a fascination with rockets. That alone is enough for me to want one in my army. Your points are also valid.

[@danepatterson8107]

One of the things in miniatures that doesn't make sense to me is why most of the indirect fire guns would even be on these battlefields, let alone moving on one. I haven't actually read the BA rules yet or played a game; And I wonder if a more realistic system like Chain of Command might appeal to me. Things like a 25-pounder should simply have an on-board spotter and not have to be on the same tactical board as the platoons they are supporting, don't you agree? Also, I've read somewhere that for Germans, buying a horse-drawn transport is best because it can tow any gun size and is super cheap.

[@OnPointHQ]

Hey Dane, yes I'm in agreement. With Bolt Action, there is an element of suspending belief when it comes to the inclusion of certain weapons and guns. For example, I want to add an 88mm to my German army but know that in reality, a piece of this size would be nowhere near the confines of a 6x4 table. I think Chain of Command has several nuances that make it more realistic than Bolt Action. I'm actually painting up two 15mm armies for Chain of Command and I'm really looking forward to playing it. Yes, the horse drawn limber is very cheap! 8 points for inexperienced and can tow pretty much anything. Always made me scratch my head that one! :)

[@MrHarrytheJew]

Great video! Very useful in todays game, as my Canadian 6pdr blew a Tiger sky high, after he revealed his side armour, thinking I wasn’t a threat 😉

[@OnPointHQ]

That's awesome, really glad that you enjoyed the video and that sounds like one like one hell of a shot from the 6pdr! Definitely not something the Tiger was expecting 😀

[@Slayer51]

My question is regarding the initial placing onto the field. Is a tow vehicle required, or can artillery be placed without a tow regardless of weight class

[@OnPointHQ]

This is a question that we've brought up in our games of Bolt Action many times. I am pretty sure that it is house ruled across the world. The way we play it is if it is a standard game and we are both deploying onto the table on turn one then artillery that requires a tow needs to be towed onto the board. However if we are playing a scenario where units are deployed before the game starts we allow them to deploy without a tow as we assume it has been deployed and the towing vehicle has left. However we do say that if a tow is not purchased then the artillery piece will be unable to move or redeploy for the duration of the game. But for actually moving onto the table I would say that a tow is definitely required 🙂

[@andraslibal]

Very useful video. Thank you :)

[@OnPointHQ]

Thanks Andras! I'm glad that you found it useful. Hopefully the format outlined the basics. I think sometimes seeing a video that provides an overview will fill in the gaps or players will look to check out the more detailed aspects in the main rulebook 😀

[@Aelfgaard]

Thanks (again) Steve, for an informative video!

[@OnPointHQ]

No worries Allan, a few people had asked me if I was planning on making a video about moving artillery and it was next on the list of things to do. Hopefully it was clear to follow :)

[@TheYorkshireTankie]

Top work mate, just in time for me to work on a Zis gun!

[@OnPointHQ]

Cheers Josh and top timing! My next artillery piece to build will be another French medium anti-tank gun with probably another ridiculously oversized base 😁

[@smoothbrush4722]

Nice episode again.

[@OnPointHQ]

Thanks Lucian! This was one that I've wanted to make for a while and after the last video about HE it seemed like a good time to make it 😊