"Bolt Action - First game - Russian and Germans" Topic

I had the chance to play a game of bolt action with a couple of buddies last night.

You can see the (not so detailed) AAR on my blog. link

I had fun. I generally like the mechanics and think the rules would work nicely for other settings as well. I also like that the rules work for different scale models.

I have never known a set of rules that was truly scale dependent…

I play BA in both 28mm and 15mm. I like both scales. But I think 15mm has some definite advantages.

Just played my first game last night. Not sure about whether I like it or not. I wanted to have my Russian LMG do a half-move so it could provide covering fire, while the rest of the squad did a full move (which prohibits them from firing). That cannot be done, despite the skirmish nature of the rules.
I also found the "pins" do not actually "pin down" or suppress anyone. They are more like accumulated "shakens".
They only cause minuses to the "pinned" unit.
Since the essence of infantry combat since WWII has been fire and movement, with suppression fire designed to keep the enemy's heads down so units can move, I'm not sure if this set does that.
But- its my first time with the rules. Perhaps a closer reading of the book is what's needed.

Pan Marek, sounds like you may want Chain of Command if you're looking for that sort of tactical game.

I've played 3 or 4 times. Not my cup of tea. There's "simple and fast play" and too simple.

I thik it would be great for kids though.

Nice looking game , I like seeing the old 1/72 stuff on the table , its a scale very under utilised in my area. I actually prefer it for some games.
Ive found BA too simple and after 5-6 games we've changed it a little by allowing rifle units to split into two sections and limiting order dice to ten per side ( as that's all I have anyway ) thus some sections just wont be able to activate , so it makes a difference where you use those valuable order dice and on which unit. The game has been really great to get new people into playing but for games veterans it seems to be lacking . A well supported game though. cheers Tom

Tom & Tin- Thanks for the thoughts/ideas! Although I have the book, and thus am as guilty as any, I suspect that BA is hooking some guys at my club with its "shine" and that includes it being "well-supported". But faulty rules, presented well, are still faulty. Ah…. mass marketing.

Surely all rules are well supported these days?