I managed to get a quick game in last Friday - another against the very sporting Pete, and his second introductory game to Bolt Action. This was also our first attempt with the excellent second edition ruleset. I probably won't discuss the rules on this platform, as many others have done that to death already, but suffice it to say that I approve.
The game against Pete was great fun, mostly because of the following factors:
- He's a great opponent and happy to play an open, collaborative game;
- The table looked great! (see above)
- The game was extremely close - far more so than we anticipated;
- There were some wonderfully cinematic moments (more on that below) and
- I had to face my very own lads of the 11th Armoured Division!
Facing my own troops came about because Pete was borrowing some Germans, and having swiftly sketched up a Veteran German list for them (we played 850pts) I was keen to show an open hand, so we rolled to see who'd get to play which.
This turned out well for me in the end, because I've started some of my own Germans at last...but that's another story for another post...
ANYWAY. We rolled up the new 'table quarters' mission - whatever it's called - and had an absolute blast!
In terms of forces, They were - broadly - as follows:
4KSLI:
2Lt, 3 Sections (one with only 8 men), 3" Mortar, Sniper, Arty FOO, PIAT, Staghound and Cromwell CS. All Regular apart from the Cromwell, which was Inexperienced.
Germans:
1Lt, 1 Squad with ARs and 1 LMG, 1 Squad with rifles and 2 LMGs, Sniper, Medium Mortar and a PaK40. All Veteran apart from the Mortar and PaK40.
Turns 1-2
Essentially, the British infantry advanced into the top corner with some success but got gunned down on the road (assault rifles and LMGs are nasty). The Pak40 threatened the road but got taken out by the second indirect shot from the Cromwell and the Germans made a slow move toward the ford, supported by their sniper and mortar (which took out the British mortar!). The Panzerschreck and PIAT teams headed toward each other.
Turns 3-4
Now the Staghound came into its own, moving up to head the Germans off at the pass (the ford): its ten shots were brutal, but the Veterans only lost one. 5+ is hard to kill! They got their own back by managing to assault and pin the Staghound and pinned it a little more thereafter.
The Cromwell moved in to assist, now the PaK40 was no more, but a wonderfully lucky shot from the Panzerschreck caught it in the side armour and blew it sky-high. As the infantry on both sides were whittled down, the two officers got stuck in, with the Brits killing two grenadiers, but getting wiped out themselves.
At the other end of the table, the delayed artillery strike was moved toward the German mortar and they were unlucky enough to catch a heavy howitzer round...which they all promptly survived on a roll of three ones! Tee-hee! Glad I didn't bother going down.
I had to leave at 21.00, so we called it a hard-fought draw. The Germans were definitely gaining control (despite a 'FUBAR' roll) and despite losses still outclassed the Toms...but they would have struggled with the Staghound, and the Panzerschreck would've taken another two turns to get anywhere near engaging it.
After four turns we'd fought to a surprising draw, but every step of the game was really good fun - and Bolt Action's second edition really is fantastic!
Cheers to Peter and David - here's to next time, eh?!
- Drax.
 |
| My table quarter was top-left in the picture above. Pete's was bottom right, but we chose the non-central stream as the divide, with a bridge and a ford. |
In terms of forces, They were - broadly - as follows:
4KSLI:
2Lt, 3 Sections (one with only 8 men), 3" Mortar, Sniper, Arty FOO, PIAT, Staghound and Cromwell CS. All Regular apart from the Cromwell, which was Inexperienced.
 |
| Pete's set-up. Nice and bunched up. Pity my only template was a medium mortar! |
1Lt, 1 Squad with ARs and 1 LMG, 1 Squad with rifles and 2 LMGs, Sniper, Medium Mortar and a PaK40. All Veteran apart from the Mortar and PaK40.
 |
| The two German Squads (rifles actually in the house) The ford is to the left - annoyingly it was difficult going. Rightly so. |
Essentially, the British infantry advanced into the top corner with some success but got gunned down on the road (assault rifles and LMGs are nasty). The Pak40 threatened the road but got taken out by the second indirect shot from the Cromwell and the Germans made a slow move toward the ford, supported by their sniper and mortar (which took out the British mortar!). The Panzerschreck and PIAT teams headed toward each other.
 |
| Deployment and movement. |
 |
| British movement begins. Slow and steady. And fraught. |
Now the Staghound came into its own, moving up to head the Germans off at the pass (the ford): its ten shots were brutal, but the Veterans only lost one. 5+ is hard to kill! They got their own back by managing to assault and pin the Staghound and pinned it a little more thereafter.
The Cromwell moved in to assist, now the PaK40 was no more, but a wonderfully lucky shot from the Panzerschreck caught it in the side armour and blew it sky-high. As the infantry on both sides were whittled down, the two officers got stuck in, with the Brits killing two grenadiers, but getting wiped out themselves.
At the other end of the table, the delayed artillery strike was moved toward the German mortar and they were unlucky enough to catch a heavy howitzer round...which they all promptly survived on a roll of three ones! Tee-hee! Glad I didn't bother going down.
I had to leave at 21.00, so we called it a hard-fought draw. The Germans were definitely gaining control (despite a 'FUBAR' roll) and despite losses still outclassed the Toms...but they would have struggled with the Staghound, and the Panzerschreck would've taken another two turns to get anywhere near engaging it.
 |
| Boom! |
 |
| The shot-up Germans fight through to consolidate after pinning the Staghound. |
 |
| The Pnazerschreck team braves the 'threat' of PIAT rounds from the surviving British AT man, by the yellow die. |
 |
| (The reverse angle) |
 |
| Endgame. Note the German HQ, to the right of the Staghound. Note also the lack of British officer, recently KIA. |
Cheers to Peter and David - here's to next time, eh?!
- Drax.
Nice looking table!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very fun game. Always fun to test ones abilities by playing an unfamiliar force too.
Germans? Damned tease....
A really good write up, it was a pleasure to read. Thank you for posting!
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, pay attention to how the author of the comment uses .카지노사이트
ReplyDelete