Bolt Action "Firefight" Stalingrad RattenKrieg Unboxing and review

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

You can download a free version of firefight rules from Walord here: www.warlordgames.com/update-firefight-skirmish-rules-faq/

[@BigPigEnergy]

Looking over this again, and it'd be nice to see a return to this sort of set format for 3rd ed. as an equivalent to the entry-level GW starters. Not that BA is a particularly pricey game to begin with, especially with some infantry boxes having the capacity to be built as 450/500pt armies on their own under the current rules, but I really like the idea of a little sampler game to get a taste of the system. Sad this was such a limited run, I missed out!

[@rich_john]

I've played a couple of games of firefight. Works really well.

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

Good to know.

[@ChrisS-fh7zt]

You are thinking of the PPS-43 sadly even though Warlord says there is one there is none on this sprue. There is the PPD-40 which was the predecessor to the PPSh-41. It is the 3rd one below the M-38 Mosin Carbine. The furry hats as you call them are Ushanka's

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

Furry hats = Veterans mate, whatever they may be called ;)

[@Kevin.Mitchell]

Bonus fun, thanks for that! I downloaded the firefight rules a while back but by then I was already committed to the full game so I haven't tried them. I'll enjoy seeing how it plays out if you can do a play through - plenty of scope for silliness and heroics in equal measure I'm sure. I agree this seems an interesting way in for anyone who wants to give it a try, but if that's what it's supposed to be, they should throw in some cut down rules to help people along.

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

Yeah, they definitely need that, and it can easily be done. Loads of rules can be cut out to suit the theme.

[@greywulfslair]

Brilliant little kit, especially for someone new to wargaming where the sheer number of sprues even in something like Band of Brothers can be very intimidating. It would be even better if the sprues were different colours. Clip off the figures, a bit of glue and you're ready to play your first game. This is where the lowest price kits for 40k and Age of Sigmar really stand out. If Bolt action released this and did the same, they would have a real winner on their hands.

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

To be fair, the Soviet models are not the simplest to build sadly.

[@greywulfslair]

@@ModellingforAdvantage You make a good point sir.

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

@@greywulfslair that said, this is getting very close to an amazing starter product.

[@mattcappelli5822]

This was a tasty surprise on Saturday morning! This is really interesting. I hadn’t heard of this, but I just started BA right before covid hit. The shame of it is you don’t get a watered down rules set. Really think that should be included. The rules are easy to start with, but get rather complicated. But otherwise, good value, especially with order dice. Those buggers ain’t cheap

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

I think this is an early iteration of an experiment, that went to the wall with Covid.

[@rich_john]

Also worth considering dropping the -1 to hit. Otherwise yes lots of hitting on 7s...... I find it can speed the game up, if needs be👍

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

We will see how it plays out of the gate as it were, but yes, I am wondering about that.

[@dteakle1]

I played Firefight at Crackcon and really enjoyed it even though Bolt Action isn't my favourite ruleset. This set looks like a great way to introduce new players to the genre

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

Yeah, with a cut down ruleset to go in the box, this could be a real winner.

[@rich_john]

I played at crackcon as well. Were you the chap I played, in what was probably the world record for the longest game of Firefight. 🤣

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

@@rich_john How did the game go then?

[@rich_john]

It was a fun game.. but lasted about the same time as a small game of Bolt Action 🤣....and that was with the -1 small target dropped 😳🤣

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

Did you play 200 points? Under the circs, that struck me as a "big game"

[@simonjonsson5222]

Is there a link to where I can find the rules as a pdf ? Warlords homepage is so confusing 😕

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

Here: www.warlordgames.com/update-firefight-skirmish-rules-faq/

[@dm51964]

They should release it again and it is a superb idea for a starter set or for people to pit small individualized forces against each other and now with the boxes of plastics available from Warlord and individual sprues available on eBay it could be a way of playing many different forces. If the rules were more generic and not set in one particular campaign it could be a real winner for Warlord Games if marketed well and a Bolt Action light for small numbers of miniatures/ squads would be superb

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

I completely agree

[@rich_john]

Also LMG rules quite different. Almost a sustained fire rule. Can be a bit deadly for only a small force.

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

true, although I imagine you spend a great deal of the game shooting on 7s...

[@howardeverton2847]

Awesome review. Bought it myself when it was available. Inspirational viewing for those playing Rattenkrieg.. Stalingrad (German and Russian versions), Enemy at the Gates (tongue in cheek) and text wise read Bolt Action Campaign supplement and Anthony Beevors book of same name. On a footnote.. Kaiser's bookcase is a literary inspiration... What does Jonny B's look like?

[@jbatchelor85]

Mainly Mr men books.

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

haha

[@ianjackson8643]

it looks like this would make a good battle for the Stalingrad sewers if only you knew someone who was working on a ruleset ;)

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

Indeed!

[@inthegameroompodcast]

It's a shame that they completely abandoned this project and fired the author. The full 120 page (so far) manual was nearing completion when they killed it.

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

Interesting, you seem to know a bit more about this one.

[@BigMekDanskull]

Looks like a nice little taster!

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

Yeah, I was quite impressed with it.

[@jackwilliams4087]

Nice concise review. Good value starter kit but I feel the konflikt 47 style of starter army is the way to go, rules, dice, 3ish units and some heavy. Thanks for the introduction to bolt action, joined you at the band of brothers games, now on my 3rd 1000pt army (grenadier yank paras and now the British airborne box). Keep rolling 6s.

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

Oh the starter armies are great, especailly when they include rules, but for many players the price point is just too high to 'test out' a system. I feel there is a real markey for the £25 quid starter set.

[@smoothbrush4722]

Nice unboxing

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

Thank you 🤗

[@pbeccas]

Looks interesting

[@ModellingforAdvantage]

Sure does.