Bolt Action Battle Report #2 Germans vs Americans 500 points

Our second game of Bolt Action kicks off and we're trying to get back to basics. We appreciate any feedback you may have on rules we missed. We do plan on growing our terrain and forces to improve our reports.
**Please be aware we experience some audio issues (popping) during this video and were unable to correct them
We do these for love of the hobby and will make mistakes. You can support us with a like on this video.
Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech):
Hero Down
Dark Times
Crossing the Chasm
Lost Time
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

[@corypichette6334]

Way easier to digest a 20 min battle report as to the 3hours ones I am use to. Wayyyy better my man, well done

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks! Glad you like the format.

[@innergains647]

💯 Agree

[@cjanquart]

Note to self: don't field an inexperienced tank, get another infantry squad.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Yes that's the ticket!

[@FrostRare]

The strap on the front of the helmet is a detail that makes those screaming eagles really come alive

[@Scotchie377]

Really enjoyed this battle report, great job. It was a nice pace to follow along. Looking forward to more reports. Thanks

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thank you. We have another one lined up this month.

[@kenc9236]

Excellent video. Explains a lot for a newbie like myself.

[@jamesnewsom9895]

This was a great battle report. I had it playing while I painted some infantry and your narrative was like listening to the call of a baseball game. Good job. Thank you.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks! I’m a big sports fan so that’s where I get it I guess :p

[@Samanar]

Fantastic battle report, very clear and concise info. Great idea on showing the rolls, make it easier to follow. Love the close up shots, it's something that's very often missing from many videos. I like to see painted models and their POV so great job here on the overall quality! Can't wait for more - sub'ed :)

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Much appreciated and glad you enjoyed it. We're working on another Bolt Action report next. Cheers

[@stevetjames7922]

Loved it - great job, esp the close up shots of your fab collection of little dudes 👍😁

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks! More to come :)

[@lexiwilson9501]

Best battle I’ve seen, easy to follow the drama with great narration.👌

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks! Got another one coming soon.

[@innergains647]

Really enjoy the smaller battle reports, lot more fun to watch

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks! We’re doing larger games now but I enjoy smaller ones a lot

[@breadroll3967]

Great battle report. Just getting into BA and this was easy to follow. Love the paint job on those models too!

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Great to hear. We’re working on a “learning” battle report now. Will be ready next week.

[@WarGamingNewbHistorical]

Love the format of this report. My son and I recently got into Bolt Action, so I appreciate the small point game you did here. He and I will probably do the same thing. Thanks for a great battle report! Hope to see more!

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks I played with my son as well. Glad to hear. We plan on doing more soon!

[@WarGamingNewbHistorical]

@@MiniatureGameMontage Looking forward to it! Keep up the good work!

[@crazyendermonkey2801]

never heard of this game but it looks fun, thoroughly enjoyed the video

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Oh cool. Yeah it has a random activation with a dice bag. Each unit has an order die and it goes into a bag. A player randomly pulls one out and activates a unit. I really like that system. Thanks for watching.

[@richmcgee434]

Warlord uses the same game engine for other systems as well, including Beyond the Gates of Anatares if you're into scifi. Wonderful range of minis for Gates, if nothing else.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

@@richmcgee434 Thanks for sharing. :)

[@marctitley7020]

Really good video. Like the content, figures and terrain. Liked it so much I have subscribed to your channel.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Awesome, thank you! We hope to get another Bolt Action report up in December as we expand the forces a bit. I appreciate the support. :)

[@aWOLtrooper]

Really love the commentary format!

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks! :)

[@grimlock5990]

Great video just what I was looking for.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Glad you liked it!

[@philRminiatures]

Great video, nice looking game with beautiful armies and terrain, I do like your buildings...👍

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks Phil!

[@Octavianus08]

Well done and well explained!

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks!

[@siroaktree6656]

Awesome commentary as always.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

I appreciate that. Been trying to improve even if it takes me a few "takes." I'll narrate a segment 10 times and finally get it and then a baby screams in the background and I'm like $h!t!

[@rikkimichalik4940]

Cool and Tidy battle report easily managed in my lunch break at work 👍

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks! That’s the ethos of the channel. Coffee break and a battle report. :)

[@jcmanguy]

Great flow to the report, MGM.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thank you :)

[@tabe8850]

Nice batrep! First time I stumbled on your channel. Narrator has a great, clear voice. If I can offer any feedback, it’s that the audio clipping is tough on my speakers.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks buddy. We figured out the issue and resolved it. Something was happening after we would render the footage. Sadly it leaked into a report or two before we figured it out

[@teddwhitney1524]

Great paint job on everything really! Battle report was nice to good editing

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thank you so much 😀

[@iainclark2959]

Nice little tutorial game - great paint jobs on the minis and terrain!

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks!

[@JohnDoe-yr4wc]

Nice paintjob on those minis! Also may I ask what lighting set up you use. Is it just a ceiling light or did you get more involved. Asking because everything looks crisp and clearly lit. Thanks!

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thank you. It’s just our dining room light. I think the iPhone camera makes things look way better.

[@chrisbaird4204]

Great game to play. Easy rules to follow, and the armies in the game look great.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks, Chris. Appreciate the comment.

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

Well made video - thank you

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks! More bolt action coming.

[@Digitalfiendscom]

Those are funny looking Underhive gangers you got there... :D In all seriousness though - great Bolt Action batrep. I've got the Band of Brothers starter, German Grenadier, US Airborne, and a few tank kits that are mostly still sitting in a box. I really like BA for its simplicity but I've also bought into Flames of War, mainly to try and run the 15mm minis in Bolt Action. I think the scale works better for tanks and I can also get more buildings on the table too (I have way too many 4Ground ww2 kits).

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

lol - in the grim dark past there was only war. :D 15mm Bolt Action you say!? That sounds fantastic. I'm very much the same. I love the 15mm scale (for tanks) but I love the BA rules.

[@sicckarrimail6525]

Are Bolt and flames pieces all interchangeable?

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

@@sicckarrimail6525 Two different scales. Flames of War is Company based and 15mm size. Bolt Action is squad based 28mm scale.

[@kitchenwargamers4141]

Great battle report love the church. Keep it going guys 😁👍

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks for the comment. We've got another one coming and I just subbed to your channel. :)

[@kitchenwargamers4141]

Thank you. Looking forward to your next battle report 👍

[@waynecato]

Again, what a pleasure it is to watch all the batreps of all the the games y’all choose!! Do you also play Dust 1947 or Deadzone? 😀

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thank you. I haven’t played either of those although I’ve looked at Deadzone. I like Mantic Games and have several Kings of War armies.

[@waynecato]

Miniature Game Montage were did you get the scenery, very nice.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

the church is a bolt action terrain piece. I 3d printed the walls and the smaller house with files on thingiverse. The hills are self made and the trees are battlefield in a box. Cheers!

[@waynecato]

Miniature Game Montage Thanks

[@e-4airman124]

great job on painting

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks! We released a new report today with my friend James and his Germans look really good.

[@stump182]

12:25 Difficult to tell the distance, but remember that you can't run the full 12" with the wall in the way. Movement for that German squad would be 6" Great battle report, looking forward to the next.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks I'm glad you brought this up actually because we talked about it. The wall kind of has a rubble at the end. Would you say they can move around that freely or would it still be difficult?

[@stump182]

@@MiniatureGameMontage It depends on what you and your opponent want to call it. In Bolt Action, that could be rough ground. Rough Ground has the same movement penalty as the wall. Best to decide what it is at the start of the game, or just dice it off during your turn.

[@adrianpaton649]

Good report. More BA Please!

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Totally planning on it. I thought afterwards that we really need to play more of this one. :)

[@Samanar]

@@MiniatureGameMontage Agreed, there's not enough BA reports so every single one is much appreciated! :)

[@Michael-ws7rc]

Well done. So, question. I know both games have their own flavor, but if you were voicing a preference to a guy with the money to get into only one new game, would you advise Bolt Action of Flames of War? Just iff the top of your head.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Both are so different. I think Bolt Action is a bit easier to learn. I love random activations. FoW was my first true miniature wargame. I really like the game, the scale and painting is a breeze. I play Flames more than Bolt Action just because locally that's what our group does. Honestly I just don't know. I really enjoy them both and for different reasons. That's zero help I know but I don't think I can pick one or the other.

[@mikehoyt7592]

Nice job. Would be good to pull back once in awhile, maybe at the start of each turn, to identify where everybody is relative to each other

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

That’s great feedback, Mike. It’s not often I get input on the camera work so happy to have it.

[@tabletopgeneralsde310]

Hey buddy, did a very good job on this one. Most minor errors has been talked about. 2 things where i am not sure if someone mentiont it, no run for vehicles over linear obstacles and the NCO with his MP could do a second round in melee, btw he can not be the loader.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks! I appreciate the corrections.

[@tabletopgeneralsde310]

@@MiniatureGameMontage, please don't take it as a criticism, we do a lot of mistakes every game

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

@@tabletopgeneralsde310 Not at all. I'm still a student of the game. :)

[@xavrikxify]

Loved the video, but with HE shots, their HE value subtracts from the infantry save. For instance, when the Panzer IV fired and hit that infantry squad, he should've been killing those veterans on 3+ instead of 5+ due to the HE2. Absolutely awesome video though. I love your format.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks after a few games I finally got that one committed to memory! I hope to get another Bolt Action report in this month.

[@xavrikxify]

@@MiniatureGameMontage not that that shot mattered anyway with the Panzer IV. Lots of 1s and 2s. Haha.

[@darnokx9277]

Great battle report, well narrated. One minor annoyance: some random noises every now and then. Other than that: well done!

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Yes - unfortunately that happened post production. Like it wasn't there when I was making it and I couldn't get rid of it. We fixed it moving forward. :)

[@petermckibben1657]

I kept tweaking my headset thinking it was that 😆

[@mattwright8250]

Great game

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks - more of these coming for sure

[@euphoria7046]

Nice table.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks! Always a work in progress :)

[@HeadCannonPrime]

Fun. You don't see too much bolt action batreps.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Right - it doesn't give us a lot of views but that's not what we're about. I think it's a great game and I really like the era. Thanks for watching.

[@sicckarrimail6525]

What would you say the starter cost would be to get into this game? We lack a table like this with terrain but we’ve been considering options on how we could build/buy one. I assume the game doesn’t play too well without one.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

The Band of Brothers starter box is fantastic. You'll get German and US forces, rulebook, etc. It's a great value. It should run you about $100 and you'll be able to play small games. The terrain can get pricey for buildings but a lot of if you can make yourself. For example, cut up a $10 welcome mat and you've got crop fields/rows. Spray paint them green and you've got hedges. Go to your local carpet store and get the thin carpet samples for plowed fields. Then you can add a few buildings here and there and expand your forces over time. I think you could use $200 wisely to field a force and set up decent looking terrain.

[@sicckarrimail6525]

@@MiniatureGameMontage man you’re a lifesaver. Been wanting to get more into war games since me and my group bought axis and allies. We got our toes wet with the genre, I’ve played war games on console and pc but nothing beats the real life feel of the board. This games been one of the ones I’ve considered heavily. Definitely will be subscribing to discuss more in the future! Thank you again.

[@therestoftheowl3938]

Nice and succinct reports but be aware of your audio production because there was random clipping

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thank you. Yes we got it figured out. Unfortunately a report or two slipped out without us noticing. I'm lining up another Bolt Action report in two weeks.

[@therestoftheowl3938]

@@MiniatureGameMontage awesome, Subbed

[@battlemastersamuel9709]

If I am not mistaken, correct me if I am wrong, but at time stamp 4:09 shouldn't the American squad had cover from the German squad attack because of the terrain elevation?

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

I’m not sure if terrain elevation such as a hill gives cover. It’s true line of sight based so I guess it depends on what you and your opponent agree on. I’m no rules expert though. ;)

[@battlemastersamuel9709]

@@MiniatureGameMontage yea I was just wondering actually because my group plays it like that. I might actually want to look in my book and see if it does lol.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

@@battlemastersamuel9709 Yeah for me it's positioning. If 50% or more are behind the hill where it doesn't give the shooter total LOS then I would say it's cover. If they are top of the hill and 50% or more of the unit can be 100% seen then no cover. That's me at least :)

[@Joshbond.]

Where did you get your terrain from guys? (Walls & Buildings) Thanks in advance.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

The church and blown up buildings are warlord branded products. The roads are battlefield in a box (flames of war). They are 15mm scale roads but they work well for 28mm as well. The crop fields/rows and hedges are home made and the walls and one full building are 3D printed from thingiverse.

[@Joshbond.]

@@MiniatureGameMontage Thanks for the quick response. Do you recommend their terrain then? Or would you advise to go elsewhere?

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

@@Joshbond. The church isn't built for 28mm (it's smaller) and that was an unfortunate surprise. I'm not sold on the ruined buildings either. So while looking good I would consider alternatives. The walls I'm a big fan of because they were very low cost yet very effective. I'll soon be adding some 3d printed buildings but I've looked at some good MDF alternatives as well. In short I would do research and potentially go elsewhere. :P

[@danielmarett1083]

man, i want to get into bolt action, correct me if im wrong but ww2 warhammer right? I just cant seem to find any rulesets, minis or other useful data :/

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Totally different ruleset. I wouldn’t compare it to 40k. I actually enjoy Bolt Action much more

[@danielmarett1083]

@@MiniatureGameMontage I have wanted to get into it but nowehere hosts any sessions near my residence and the only other lads I play with aren't too interested

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

@@danielmarett1083 yeah historical games aren’t everyone’s pleasure. I really enjoy them as well as sci-fi but many folks are one or the other. Bolt Action has a very active community on Facebook. You could join and post there to see if anyone else is in your area. Just an idea :)

[@danielmarett1083]

@@MiniatureGameMontage worth a shot i suppose :)

[@SoB413]

Loved the battrep! Side note HE shells have a pen of +3, so 2 would have died😁

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks! One day we’ll get it all right!

[@joelbylund163]

Actually not 100% correct. The HE has the same pen value as the size of the template. In other words a 1" template has +1 pen, 2" template has +2 pen and so on

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

@@joelbylund163 Noted. Thanks!

[@thekameleon9785]

When is it 6s on 6s?

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

I think this game is anything above a 6 would be 6s followed by 6s. For example, base hit is 3, you moved so 4, hard cover is 6 and long range is 7 as an example.

[@FrostRare]

Why are the tanks ineffective? Can the rules be modified for realism?

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Tanks like anything will hit on 3s but then you modify for range, movement, cover, etc. I think the core game is more infantry based and tanks are there for support. They have a separate game called Tanks I believe that focuses purely on the tank side. They are a bit hit or miss we’re finding out in our games.

[@FrostRare]

Miniature Game Montage okay, thanks. I’ve yet to set up a table and read the rules. From what I’ve been watching, I imagine there can be slight gameplay tweaks made for convenience/realism/pacing/fun

[@Lomhow]

Maybe my headphones are dying, but did anyone else hear a weird popping sound throughout the video?

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Yes that came out post production. It wasn’t in the pre-render of the video but kept coming out in the final product. We eventually catch it and put a stop to it for future reports. Sorry about that

[@Nappa14693]

a morale check can cost you your entire unit? wow

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Pinning is so important in this game. The more fire troops get under the worse they perform. And they may run when their buddies are taking casualties

[@andron2348]

The decals on the panzer IV are in the wrong place

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Yeah Im not very good at historical accuracy. Im not that confident in my skills to place it where it has to mold around the model. Kind of is what it is now but thanks for letting me know

[@andron2348]

@@MiniatureGameMontage Just get some books, and keep on trucking.....................

[@mike80555]

It didn’t happen to matter when it came to it but when the German tank hit the US infantry you have to include the HE pen value. The infantry in this case would then die on 3’s instead of 5’s. The heavy AT gun HE has a pen value of 2. Next turn, hitlers buzzsaw rule. Your infantry squad LMG should of only gotten 5 shots and not 6. Forgot about turret jam when the Sherman took damage. One other thing that I will day though. This isn’t a rule that was wrong or forgotten but in turn 2 the Germans got the first die. If the Germans would of done a “snap to” action they could of used there infantry squad and tank before the US did anything. That would of saved your other german squad. I can tell already as I’m writing this it would of changed the outcome of the game and I’m only at the 5 min mark. If the Germans had handled that die better that probably would of won them the game. But later on in the game. Why the hell did the Germans tank run from the US infantry?! That was a move I can’t explain! Why?! And the German officers should of rum at the end instead of going down. Could of gotten more points.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks for the feedback. We're just learning the game and in these first few reports it's me and my young son. We read through the book and we're now trying to put it into motion so our tactics and familiarity with the game will take time. I have a tournament organizer coming over soon to help teach me a few things. We are pretty casual, however. Just having fun playing games and sharing them. That said, we'll improve with time and experience.

[@paulmarine5055]

is it just me or is melee over simplified in this game? It feels like it could be easily exploited and OP

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

We very well could have screwed up but it’s very quick and dirty.

[@robertlavery6896]

That mic screech is awful, but the video was enjoyable.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks I tried for a full day to get rid of it. It only came out in the final product. I didn't want to lose it so I have since switched to a new editing platform and computer. No issues since doing that. :)

[@BANJOPCGaming]

Where is that church from mate?

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Here you go. For some reason I couldn't find it on warlord's site. I actually purchased mine here. www.waylandgames.co.uk/warlord-games-scenery/56381-church?search_query=bolt+action+church&results=15

[@BANJOPCGaming]

@@MiniatureGameMontage Thank you!

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Np, it’s super easy to assemble and looks great. I did the entire thing plus painting in an afternoon. Just keep in mind that I don’t think it’s true 28mm scale. It’s something smaller. Cheers!

[@tomgroenendaal5601]

Nice game. Just a few rules that you didnt do properly. You cant use anyone else for the loader than loader itself for the lmg. Lmg shoots 4 times and 5 for germans not 6. Same for mmg. Its 5 and 6 for germans, not 7

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks for the feedback. We're working on another report so that's good to know ahead of it. So what happens if the loader dies?

[@tomgroenendaal5601]

@@MiniatureGameMontage -1 to hit for in this case the lmg. If its a team weapon not in a sqaud (only 1 remaining) then its -1 to hit and -1 to morale (in case of medium mortar team for example)

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Thanks again. I’m going to model a loader on my next batch just so I’m aware of it.

[@roha2317]

Brings medium tanks in 500 point games 🤣

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

All day! I like to play with my toys.

[@CS-zn6pp]

Never use inexperienced tanks, waste of points, regular minimum. Never mix assault rifles and LMG's in a German squad.

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Yeah that inexperienced tank was an easy lesson to learn. So just go all rifles with an LMG. I’ll try it out

[@nozedic]

horrible clicking sounds. beware of listening with headphones

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Correct. Have no idea what happened but we switched computers and it hasn’t happened since. Thanks!