Bolt Action : Battle Report US Airborne vs German Grenadiers

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[@xXThePanzerXx]

Advice: It is usually a good idea to take only 1 attendant with the officer due to the fact that with 2 men they retain the small team special rule and enemies suffer a -1 to hit (I find that is much more worth it than having an extra guy) Officers also give a leadership bonus for any of your units with 6" (+1 for 2nd Lt and +2 for 1st Lt) furthermore officers can order guys to act, letting you use several different units in one go (you must take the other unit's order dice out of the bag however, it is essentially treating it as you choosing to get several of your own order dice first) 2nd Lt's can order 1 unit, while 1st Lts can order 2 units, however Germans have a national characteristic called Blitzkrieg tactics that give their officers one more order than usual. Question: When going over the German army did you just not make the army WYSIWYG or is this a case of misidentifying weapons? I noticed you had one squad with 2 assault rifles and an LMG but you introduced it as an SMG and an LMG, the other had a panzerfaust that was not introduced. Was this just proxy or did you get the weapons wrong? (also the assault rifles are StG-44s (Sturmgewehr meaning Storm / assault rifle) not SRG-44s (though they are sometimes referred to as MP-44s (machinenpistole meaning machine pistol))) Turn 1 German mistakes: When you fired the Sd.Kfz.251/10's PaK 36 (your half track's light ant-tank gun) You only role one die to see if you hit. After you get a hit then you place the template (looking through the appropriate ring for the size of HE you are firing) and see how many hits you get. Then you take the number of hits and roll to wound with whatever penetration modifiers you get and the number of successful wounds is the number of casualties taken. Furthermore in this case you did not give yourself a modifier for the weapon, however, a 1" HE gives a penetration of +1 meaning that you would need a 3+ to kill those regulars (due to the fact that regulars die on a 4+ but you have +1 penetration making it 3+) You also rolled a 6 to wound, meaning that you had the ability to re-roll for, i forget what its called but its something along the lines of superior damage or something, and the way that works is when you roll a 6 to wound, you roll the die again and if you get another 6 you, instead of your opponent, chooses the casualty, in this case had you been successful in rolling another 6 for the superior damage, or whatever it is called, then you could have chosen to kill the gunner and thus destroy the medium machine gun all together. Lastly you only gave the MMG one pin, however, 1" HE does D2 pins. When you shot with your 1st squad with the LMG, in order to shoot the LMG one of the men has to load for the LMG and thus forgoes his shooting. Now in this case since your NCO was out of range with his SMG, so you could just say he is loading (I believe that is legal). You also rolled a 6 to wound on this squad, however since I addressed that already I will not restate it again nor anymore even if you continually make the mistake, just remember that you can do superior damage or whatever its called to infantry when you roll a 6 to wound. Also when you suffered 3 out of 5 casualties during the turn you should have immediately taken a leadership check to see if your guys broke and ran (you do this whenever a squad loses 50% of its current models in a single turn). Germans also have a national characteristics called Hitler's Buzzsaw that lets all German LMGs and MMGs get an additional shot, so your LMG should have 5 shots instead of the usual 4 (you make this mistake several times throughout the game). Turn 2 German mistakes: same mistakes made with the halftrack as turn 1 however, in addition this time you didn't roll to wound, you just rolled to hit and then said they get no saves, when in actuality you still have to roll to wound (again in this case getting a penetration +1 so wounding on 3+). Regulars have a leadership of 9 not 10, however you still passed because your squad didn't take 3 pins, it only took 1 pin (because you can only ever get 1 pin from each single enemy unit so 9-1=8, thus meaning you still passed your order check) however you should have removed your pin when you passed your order check due to the fact that a unit will remove 1 pin for a successful order check (note: this is not the case for other types of leadership checks such as break checks). When you wanted the officer to enter the farm house, usually that type of very destroyed building would be treated as ruins rather than a building (though in the end it's up to both players to determine that kind of thing) but if that would be the case that you used it as ruins you could have entered with an advance (treating it as difficult terrain (hard cover) and would have allowed you to shoot still. Turn 2 American mistake: When shooting at the last 2 remaining Germans in that Grenadier squad it is important to remember that squads or teams of 2 or less are counted as "small teams" thus giving an additional -1 to hit, so in this case you would have needed 6s to hit (though potentially on 7s (6 followed by 6 to hit)) (-1 for movement, -1 for softcover, and -1 for small team (plus additional modifiers that I will address in another section about "rules both players got wrong throughout the game)). Americans have a national characteristic that their rifles and automatic rifles (B.A.R.) do not suffer -1 to hit penalty to shooting for movement. Furthermore any weapon, for any nation, that has the assault special rule, such as SMGs and assault rifles, do not suffer a -1 to hit penalty to shooting for movement. Mistakes both players made throughout the game: I couldn't be sure, since I am not there measuring, but it looks like both players made several shooting attacks at, what is called, long range. Long range is more than half of the weapon's maximum range (so for a rifle which is 24" range, long range would be 13"-24" while short range would be 1" - 12") Shots taken at long range suffer a -1 to hit. I realize I am typing way too much so I am going to stop keeping track here in the middle of turn 2 and not keep bugging you with rules errors. I also don't want to discourage you guys, you did very well for your first game. Your models are beautiful as is the board. Good job fellas!

[@GeeksWargaming]

Thanks for the feedback, yes we mentioned at the end that long range rule we missed but will cover that in the next bat rep. Hope you enjoyed the game overall

[@FordyHunt]

Nice comment

[@anthonyrussell0912]

One heads up, p.56 core rule book, "regardless of any modifiers that apply, a roll of a 1 is always a failure", this is in respect to wounding

[@FerreusVir]

Oh sweet! I love the BA rules and minis, glad to see you guys branching out.

[@elsinorebrewing3841]

Nice review of the game in general I will say.I have seen Bolt Action at my local game shop and it seems quite interesting but at the same time not clogged up with rules etc.I like the concept of dice being drawn to determine the order of play as it really adds randomness to the game.I have to say NICE job on the game table,very well done with regards to scenery as a battlefield.So much detail and cover....very fantastic to say the least.Thanks for the video and a "like" was given.

[@MrRileysc11]

Really enjoyed the battle report. I’m getting into Bolt Action and have been searching KZbin for some good channels. Your guys 1st game is already one of the better ones out there. Looking forward to more!

[@peterandlhalaLLC]

Great job demonstrating. I am looking forward to the next game!

[@WoffBoot]

Thanks for the batrep - I've never seen Bolt Action plated before, but I'd definitely watch more of this. One piece of feedback: I think you need to throw a lot more terrain on the board - cover and LoS seems to be important and it would open up more tactical options for your troops.

[@deans7074]

Great thing about Bolt Action is that there is a spin-off game that uses the same rules called Konflikt '47, where the war spins into alternate history and the the armies get Weird tech/science like armoured walkers -all of which just compliments you're already existing Bolt Action forces. Makes a nice change fromtime to time without having to buy an entirely different game...

[@mattcappelli5822]

Really enjoyed watching this. Hoping to see more Bolt Action from you guys!

[@macca-of1yc]

Great to see Bolt Action it's been my go to system last year!

[@philRminiatures]

Nice vid, atmospheric and gorgeous terrain, so many details to enjoy!

[@GeeksWargaming]

Glad you enjoyed it. Lots more Bolt Action planned. With amazing scenery added

[@HotDiceMiniatures]

Really enjoyed this! Well done boys.

[@thorpey012]

Seems a really easy game system, I like the random unit activation and modifier system for hits. It makes me wonder if 40k could be adapted to use a similar unit activation system. We all know how in some games of 40k, going 2nd can leave you in a world of hurt. Its not as bad since 8th but still....has anyone else kicked this idea around or perhaps experimented with a rule set?

[@patrickstelchek5977]

I'd like to add that American riflemen don't suffer the -1 penalty for moving and shooting carbines and rifles.

[@HeadHunterSix]

It would be easy enough to use the same method of activation - put a die or some kind of token in a bag for each squad, draw them out and take a turn with the chosen unit. You could do it where the unit takes an entire turn before the next unit (move, fire, fight etc) or you could draw dice for each phase, though this would take longer. It's simple enough to put such a system in place, which leads me to conclude that GW simply doesn't care about how broken their initiative system is.

[@HeadHunterSix]

@@patrickstelchek5977 That also includes the BAR :)

[@Hambone571]

At 9:45, before the machine gun can shoot, due to the pin marker, you need to make a morale die roll,to,see if they will follow their order to shoot..... because they are, pinned, they may not.

[@Smushed001]

Just subscribed, looking forward to more Bolt Action!

[@sportsbanter3885]

Nice BR, really enjoyed this as I have been meaning to try Bolt Action out anyway!

[@GeeksWargaming]

Glad you enjoyed the battle report. There will be more. You can buy bolt action from our sponsor elementgames.co.uk/?d=10255

[@garrobond0017]

Good batrep,some tips ,German half track can double move on roads. Also if models move plus one moving ,cover, plus long range,so he would be hitting on sixes.not fives . If it was small team would have hitting on six followed by six. Keep up the good work.

[@rosenkazakov9914]

Great terrain, really like it. Can you please give us a link where do you get all the pieces ? I assume it is unpainted, which is fine, i paint my miniatures and terrain. Thanks

[@GeeksWargaming]

Hi, the terrain is all from warlord games. You can check out the range at Element Games elementgames.co.uk/?d=10255 Geeks

[@Cherokie89]

16:20 does Bolt Action not have a modifier in the rules for an attack on the flank?

[@hangfirerecords]

awesome to see this go down in such beauty

[@GeeksWargaming]

Thank you, we are planning more bolt action battle reports

[@maliceharding4668]

With the 37mm gum you role one dice of it hits then you see how many are under the circle then you roll for wounds also you can run over obstacles no need to side step

[@philRminiatures]

Great looking game, splendid minis and terrain!

[@viridisxiv766]

looks interesting, i look forward to watching it at a more reasonable hour! haha.

[@michaelparsonage5889]

Great bat report. I think I might star this system

[@jeremywebb6150]

I don't know if it has been asked or covered in a video, but where did you get the base of the battlefield? is it a custom table or a gaming mat?

[@GeeksWargaming]

Hi.. thanks for the question, its a battle mat from deepcut studios

[@Hambone571]

Thank you Sir. I will be looking into it.

[@GeeksWargaming]

Happy gaming

[@thomasfilshie1398]

been a while coming but well worth it. For the Americans I'd get the m8/m20 scout car, some light armour for the Americans that can kill infantry, and for the Germans I'd get a panzershrek team (anti-tank team). that would give a nice boost to your forces

[@taoistgoth]

Why, at the start, didn't you add the AT gun's PEN value of +1 to your damage roll against the MMG? Also why only 1 pin when the AT Gun is d2 pins?

[@GeeksWargaming]

One of our early games and we were still learning the rules

[@timothyhines7845]

Thought that if your troops were up against cover that didn't count towards movement.

[@hamm6035]

Filming advice, please pull back so the positions and pins are in view so we can assess the progress.

[@joereilly7082]

Also when stuck in the open with lots of folks able to fire at you then you should consider having the squad go down. They would loose their turn this round but they get a +2 (I think) so they are REALLY hard to hit. Fives would have become 7s which means a six followed by a six to hit.

[@kaizimmer417]

Are those roads printed onto the map or are they separate layers?

[@GeeksWargaming]

They are printed on

[@weirdwwii8775]

Great stuff!

[@raizox6134]

Hi, I have two questions 1- Where did you get that moss 2- How many grams do you need to cover all that map?

[@GeeksWargaming]

The moss is hobby lichen, which you can get from modelling shops. We have a bag of it and tbh you use as much or as little as you like so its hard to say about covering the board

[@boltactionbunker5276]

good game. nice table top.

[@e-4airman124]

great job. Where did you get the game mat it is awesome!

[@GeeksWargaming]

Hi the mat is from deepcut studio, its awesome for bolt action

[@pivotproductions8648]

I think the two prone airborne troops where sniper units

[@thekameleon9785]

Where do people get these tables and matts?

[@GeeksWargaming]

The table we built ourselves. The matt is from deepcut. Amazing matts

[@fharbord]

What game mat is this? Seems perfect for Normandy battles :)

[@GeeksWargaming]

Its from deepcut studios.. they do good mats for bolt action

[@johnvint3122]

When you roll a 6 to kill the shooter gets to reroll the 6, roll another 6 shooter picks the man Cpl or LMG

[@GeeksWargaming]

Thank you, this was our first game. Still learning the rules. More bolt action on the way soon we hope

[@Justufixion]

The gaming mat was quite nice. Where can one be purchased from?

[@alans6459]

I agree where did you get the gaming mat? This game looks like a lot of fun I'm going to give it a try!

[@srgamesdesignstudio688]

Hi! Where did you get the mat? Please let me know. Thanks!

[@GeeksWargaming]

Its from deepcut studios 👍🏻

[@RavenHeadInn]

7min 40 , another -1 because of the long range (over half) .... also at 10mins, a pin dosnt give you a -1 to actions like shooting etc any unit pinned has to make a leadership test to see if it takes out the order. the -1 is for that test,if you had 3 pin markers it would be -3. if they pass, they just shoot as normal.

[@GeeksWargaming]

Hi.. yes we went through our mistakes at the end of the vid. It was out first game on camera, with more to come.. hopefully without the mistakes

[@Hambone571]

Wha do you use for those wonderful looking cobblestone roads?

[@GeeksWargaming]

They are printed on the battle mat.. they are amazing

[@Hambone571]

Geeks Wargaming Well... then whats the name of the mat company?

[@GeeksWargaming]

Its from deepcut studios

[@bizziecaptain8728]

Where can I get a mat like that

[@GeeksWargaming]

Its the cobbled streets mat from deepcut studios

[@smat2899]

Good job, thank you

[@thanewargaming2572]

Plz tell me what the bushes are in need some

[@GeeksWargaming]

They were hand made by a friend of ours

[@jantimmer5558]

Maybe a bit late but noch makes good stuff.

[@glyndwr1391]

Hay guys when will you be doing more bolt action?

[@GeeksWargaming]

Very soon, robin is currently painting up more units for us to use

[@evilkingification]

Can't say I'm to blown away by this I'll watch it though I do prefer the 30k and 40k stuff

[@bitsandbolts7884]

10:12 I don't know If you just didn't film it but you forgot to take an order test for the machine gun

[@denisd3639]

Great job, gents!

[@GeeksWargaming]

More bolt action coming soon

[@noahsorensen3895]

What are the rules for anti tank grenades

[@bendapen]

Son of Soren If you equip infantry units with anti tank grenades then they gain the special rule ‘Tank Hunter’. In the section about the rule in the book it says, “Tank hunter units are equipped with specialized close quarters anti-tank weaponry. This includes anti-tank grenades -possibly launched from a rifle- sticky bombs, Molotov cocktails and the like. If a tank hunter unit wins an assault and scores damage against the armored vehicle, the effect is resolved on the Damage Result table as for a normal anti-tank penetration rather than as for superficial damage.” What I gathered from this is that units of infantry equipped with the Tank Hunter special rule are able to assault armored vehicles in close quarters and if the infantry is able to damage the armored vehicle then it would be treated as a regular penetration. I hope this was somewhat helpful. I’m not 100% sure on this but it seems like that’s what the rules try to explain.

[@maddoxnunn4446]

Anyone have the link to their battle mat?

[@GeeksWargaming]

If you look for cobblestone on deepcut studios website

[@maddoxnunn4446]

Kudos to you guys I said this on two vids doubting anyone would respond, but the OWNER is The Who replies not only on one vid but two! Not to say both of these videos are older as well! Congrats you have earned yourself a subscriber. I am so excited to try to get into Bolt Action, so thanks for that as well.

[@JordanThreinen]

i love your format but you guys missed a bunch of rules,, long range, how pins work, order tests and removing pins, the american fire and maneuver special rule. everyone makes mistakes though and i hope to see more battles like this!! +sub

[@JordanThreinen]

and i think you are using the old rulebook? also forgot -1 to hit per pin marker meaning at 29:26 you needed a 7 to hit not 4 lol

[@GeeksWargaming]

Hi, first game and we were using the rules from the band of brothers boxset and not the actual rules. We know we missed things and we hopefully picked them up in the post game review. We have a second battle report online, hopefully with fewer mistakes

[@nickgodske2913]

is this the 2 player starter set? :)

[@GeeksWargaming]

Yes it is.. we have added some more of the Bolt Action scenery

[@zimnylech527]

A decent battle report, but I keep dying inside just a little bit whenever you refer to a single die as "a dice"...

[@CousinsWarItalia]

Cool!!!!! ;)

[@zuluking79]

So, I take it that nothing blocks LOS in this game? Shooting thru 3 sets of hedgerows? lol

[@GeeksWargaming]

If you can see them you can shoot them

[@zuluking79]

@@GeeksWargaming hello, it looks as if 2 opponents at the same ground level are shooting thru at least 1 or 2 hedgerows that neither one are adjacent to. Just seems impossible in real life.

[@hazed1009]

This is old. Reposted??

[@GeeksWargaming]

Hey yes this video is probably about a year old. How do you mean reposted?

[@DakotaMilesO]

You two would make a nice couple