Q&A: Meta, new OP weapons, how to assault buildings

[@WoodImp]

Hi Bo, Just to clarify your comments about Japan's lack of Grenadiers in the rule book? They are in there, and I've had great success in my games of V3 so far with the knee mortars, especially with the point cost reduction down to 20pts a pop. I know in some tournaments coming up that the use of spotters being used across all indirect Reg+ units will be limited to only units within that spotters/observers platoon which makes things a bit trickier, and at WOW I've noticed the Grenadiers capped to one unit per Rifle Platoon in anticipation of excessive spam! Looking forward to seeing the new ideas folks bring to the table in V3, and expecting a thorough thrashing from list ideas I never considered ahaha

[@jamesspratley8163]

I was going to ask the same - they're in there, why can't we use them? In theory we can take 6 in the mandatory squads for rifle platoon, plus 2 optional, then for good measure another 5 in a heavy weapons platoon. Have I missed something?

[@jsizzlesaurusrex]

Thanks for answering my question. I don’t see how the Japanese are gonna be even close to competitive until that armies of book comes out. Hopefully that book comes out soon and brings some tricks.

[@OnlyFausts]

There’s some good and bad news - firstly there ARE grenadiers in the rule book. AND they get light mortars cheaper than in V2. Secondly word from the open day is British and Japanese are supposed to have engineers and we can expect to see these Errata’ed in. Does that change the outlook for Japan - if you’ve seen my (almost 200 comment post on Facebook) with my disappointment on Japanese V3 then you’ll know like BO I think they’ve lost probably a little too much at least to make varied lists. The bad news from the open day - Q1 2026 for Armies of Japan so a LONG wait with a limited roster.

[@Thomas_T.E._DANCON_C-SQN_3]

Thanks a lot for you videos and thoughts on the game. They are really informative and give a good insight into the game (especially for a newbie like me. Since I'm a newbie I haven't had much experience with assualts but I do like that the new rules run a little more realistic when It comes to this Cindy og warfare. I know it's a game, but it should be expensive to do assults. For an attack in real life you should plan on 3/1 advantage, attacking a city 5/1 Assualts were and are not a common thing and allways involved Heavy casualties if there weren't enough preparation og support.

[@boltactiontutorialsbybomor3846]

@@Thomas_T.E._DANCON_C-SQN_3 perfect, then you should feel good about the new assault rules. For me realism was never what drew me to the game, it was game balance. On that count the new assault rules are a step backwards

[@deccabw]

If you army has access to a HMG I think it will be an auto take ,the combination of range ,+1 pen,6 shots and that ability to pin a tank make it pretty powerful 🤔

[@arkenhemnall6224]

It's fine Bo, I've started to write my own 3rd ed rules for BA, I'm calling them '3 point No' rules, and basically started a year ago + in all reality, but 3rd ed has spurred me on to actually make it a semi- cohesive set of alternative rules for where I feel BA should have gone IMO. As you say there's no real incentive to assault anymore, and even as a player myself that favours skirmishing and shooting I can see a time and place for a good assault. Not much point unless the odds are stacked literally massively in the favour of the attacker (ie 3 to 1 advantage in numbers, target in the open, etc etc) We'll be playing 3rd ed a lot over next couple of months so I guess a Christmas review would be good. Happy gaming... 👌💪

[@Tyrantitan1um]

Hi Bo, thanks for the video, In Venezuela we have the meta game with 15 order dice and 1000pts, so I think that MMGs for our format are not yet profitable, because it takes away an order die that we may need for another piece/unit. I think I would be more of a fan of the HMG when they are available, they increased them to 6 shots at 48" and with the PEN+1. As you say, if the fields are going to start filling up with cover, it will be a matter of using more assault units, so that we can reach Point Blanck to have an Impact of 2+ and avoid the opponent's DOWN reaction. I don't see much potential in Tanks, they are a great risk of losing a large number of points, in that case I would use something more than armored cars with HMG or Auto Cannons. Well, I have been a big fan of the fact that a well-positioned piece of artillery can reach any part of the map. And for one tank you can buy 2 medium or heavy anti-tank tanks, and you can place one on each side and you also cover yourself from the flanks. To all this I agree that this format will be more of indirect fire, medium or heavy mortars, gaining vision of the advanced observer and any army spotter. If I use howitzers, I do mount them on a cart, because they would only fire indirectly the first turn of the game. And versatile weapons will also be highly sought after.

[@jeffashley9659]

Because the German Grenadiers went DOWN, wouldn't the Close Assault be Simultaneous? I feel like the sequence will have to be 1) Use Indirect (or Direct hitting on a 4+) HE to force an Enemy in Cover to go Down, then 2) Close Assault and fight Simultaneously. Overall, my two cents are that Close Assaults still have a place, but it won't have the Domination that it previously did. With V3 coming online, I'm excited to see all of the new ideas. Personally, I'm looking into running US SPG Halftracks, in a combination of two with 75mm Medium AT (with the 2in Template) and two with the 105mm Howitzer. 500pts of 7+ Armor that can go into Woods and Rubble.

[@boltactiontutorialsbybomor3846]

no, there is no way to make "defender goes first" into "simultanious" in the rulebook

[@hegemongary]

​@boltactiontutorialsbybomor3846 page 110 last paragraph of defensive positions states if the defender is down they do not benefit from defensive positions ans the fight is simultaneous.

[@boltactiontutorialsbybomor3846]

@@hegemongary ha, you are right. I mixed that up with the changes for WoW

[@ijsbeermeneer9952]

Bo! Your dishwasher is done! Also great vid, i tend to agree, and hope that the mourning proces of the old meta passes away quickly. Happy gaming!

[@boltactiontutorialsbybomor3846]

@@ijsbeermeneer9952 ha, yeah... Started beeping just as I was recording

[@ArchaiKM]

I do not agree with some of your thoughts (mostly because you are focused on the competitive side and I am far more of a Narrative mind) but i still always enjoy your videos, for that reason. I may not adopt a meta list because Tank A is slightly better than Tank B, but i may pay better attention to what i shoot my HE at to get the most effect. Anyone who says you are "playing it wrong" obviously don't understand that it is a game with many different facets for people to enjoy.

[@Ot00le-O7]

Logically, the only reason an attacking unit would get to attack first is if the defending unit doesn't see them coming. You could include some additional line of sight rules in your tournaments to up the assault game. Maybe try something like: "If a unit initiates a run move within 6 inches of an enemy unit and no model in that enemy unit can draw line of sight to the activating unit, then, when moving into close combat, the activating unit may go one step earlier in the combat." I would argue that being in a building would still counter this advantage unless the assaulting unit had the engineers rule also. What do you think?

[@ijsbeermeneer9952]

Well i get that, but in v2 you need to actually see the opponent youre charging. Has that been changed?

[@alanlatour624]

What are your thoughts on artillery and AT guns? Which would be best to take? (On the back of the arty sale on Warlord’s website)

[@BattleDragon88]

Third edition just show up and I already hate it. Yes I got japanese army. Never run cheese bamboo squads just regular rifle platoons and nobody say I'm in overpowered because I don't have any good tanks and heavy at guns. Now with no range penality and bullet spam from mmg and hmg I feel my forces are useless. And I don't believe in this mythical grenadiers light mortars meta.

[@boltactiontutorialsbybomor3846]

yeah, japanese players are going to have to change their playstyle massively. But you should be in good shape for the new meta with your collection of riflemen, maybe add some MGs and a bunch of mortars?

[@BattleDragon88]

@@boltactiontutorialsbybomor3846 thank you for reply and suggestions but to be honest this is biggest problem for me I bought 3 infantry boxes and one snlf and one support box to have fun infantry horde type game. Now they made them trash and I maybe need max 30 infantry man and they want to force me to buy three support boxes and artillery. And worts thing is now gameplay is boring as fuck to me. I don't want go deploy mortar pits and praying for sixes. Never worked for me. My ija mortar never hit single target during his career. Everybody liked imy japanese army because it was very different and flavorful. Now it's looks just boring

[@boltactiontutorialsbybomor3846]

@@BattleDragon88 yeah that sucks... Sorry

[@binkymoon5238]

Hi, I play IJA and feel the same way. Yes, I'd argue we have completely lost our strengths. Maybe banzai will get buffed slightly, such as not having to take an order test so long as the charge range is achievable. But we likely won't see banzai reverted. Let's find new strengths. Our tanks suck but our armored cars do not! If you can, build up large rifle sections, 10+ men minimum. Pair each squad with an armored car / tankette. These "units" can be doubled or even tripled up on objectives. The idea is that you are trying to split enemy fire between the bodies and the cars. If either or gets focused down the other gets a chance to reach its destination. I'm writing up a video to hopefully encourage fellow IJA players, I'll let you know when it's ready. In v3 IJA doesn't need to kill the enemy, just suppress them and keep them off objectives. More than ever our fourth national trait is SPAM! I apologies to other players but the method is forced upon us.

[@SpinewireUK]

I thought if you were down and in cover and you are assaulted then you fight simultaneously. So the defenders no longer get fights first advantage? Did i dream that?

[@boltactiontutorialsbybomor3846]

@@SpinewireUK that is a rule from the Wow tournament

[@TabletopTommies]

P.110, main rule book - defenders don't benefit from the defensive position bonus if Down when assaulted and would otherwise get the bonus (not something unique to WOW), so you are correct, they do fight simultaneously in this situation. Phil

[@SpinewireUK]

@@TabletopTommies Thanks i assumed it as it makes sense, but couldn't remember what video i saw that mentioned it.

[@BoltAction.AdArma]

In WOW there a lot houserules and pointchanges. For me that is to much change in rules and points

[@richardciereszko4519]

Bo, yet to get the book but, from what I’ve have seen so far, I think you are correct on a number of points. I agree that close combat has been changed for the worse, to the extent that it is virtually a non option as a tactic. I don’t understand why the changes were made and anyone who thinks it’s more realistic does not understand infantry tactics. Looking forward to all the new builds that we are likely to see though and how the interaction of pinning, Pl Comd, -1 shooting no matter how many pins and stay down/rally clearing all pins will work.

[@merlin4084]

They changed it, in Marcus Vines own words, to nerf the Japanese (and by extension, because their national rules are so similar, the Ghurkas) and bring them more in line with the rest of the armies for a shoot first, combat maybe game.

[@ijsbeermeneer9952]

Yep. If anything, im excited for the new meta. I think people are still in their 'mourning proces' as several meta builds have been dismembered, so therell be lots of negativity online. Get out there and have some fun!

[@BoltAction.AdArma]

You missed the Most op weapon. The Quad HMG Artillery piece

[@nathanvandermaelen]

Thanks for the video, very helpful as always. At some point you say that autocannons are going to be good. I personnally feel like their comparative advantage against heavier guns is now partially gone, as they were much more likely to get a hit in V2. They still do in V3, but to a lesser extent. Do you think that thanks like e.g. the Kugelblitz will still be as worth it as before in comparaison to e.g. tanks with HE 4" like the Brummbär ?

[@arkenhemnall6224]

I'd say multiple shot weapons/ tanks will still be much better than single shot, no matter how big the single shot is. I'd rather hit a near guaranteed every turn with a Kugelblitz compared to the 50%? of the Sturmtiger. Obviously scenario and flavoured play both AFVs are superb tanks but purely competitively the KugelBlitz is still a beast. I'm doing a Kugelblitz 'lite' list with 4 Flak Zwilling 43 and 3 of the half tracks with heavy autocannon on the back, that's 22 heavy autocannon shots and basically an upgrade of the 2nd ed army I have been using up to this Friday. Now that they have taken away the -1 for long range too though the Kugelblizt is a bit more vulnerable as everything is now in the game, good luck with finding the best way to use it 👍🏻

[@nathanvandermaelen]

Thank you for the point. I also own a kugelblitz and 2 flakzwillings, + 2 sdkfz 250/9 and a Coelian. I am trying to see what I can do competitively with that and what I should add - more flakzwillings is definitely an option. I am just scared that WG could adapt their point costs to make them in line with other autocannon artillery pieces.

[@arkenhemnall6224]

@@nathanvandermaelen from what I have heard said autocannons are being made cheaper, but people usually talk about the 20mm FlaK 38s so the H autocannons likely be about the same.

[@arkenhemnall6224]

@@nathanvandermaelen also with the new shooting rules being more 'killy' I'd say that buying the gun shield will be a must, but if still +5pts that's worth it I'd say

[@arkenhemnall6224]

@@nathanvandermaelen also also I played a second ed game there on Friday and for one used my Panzer IV vs my mate's Sherman, most of the time needing 4s and 5s to hit, so likely the same as 3rd ed on average, the usual missing with the main cannon most turns reminded me why I avoid si gke shot units (snipers, tanks, AT and artillery, Flamethrowers, etc etc)

[@xxStenetxx]

I mostly dislike your videos for all the rule mistakes you often make. Just in this weekend, I had to correct three people on how dense terrain works because they have seen one of your videos. Then I have to argue with them and look up in the Rulebook just so they believe me because the Great Bo Mortensen have said something else. So with so many trusting in you, can you please holde yourself to a higher standard in v3. - Love A

[@boltactiontutorialsbybomor3846]

@@xxStenetxx 🤣

[@oakleystactics579]

V3 is the best version so far

[@TheBoltActionBergan]

Ignore the negatively Bo keep the competitive content coming if that's not your bag then don't watch your videos it's not rocket science and like you always cavat your videos with your just someone on the internet passing on your thoughts and opinions 😉 Loving the channel