Bolt Action
WWII 28mm miniature wargame. First published 2012 by Warlord Games + Osprey Publishing. Designed by Alessio Cavatore + Rick Priestley (both ex-Games Workshop). Uses ORDER DICE mechanic — one die per unit drawn from bag; introducing tactical uncertainty. Third Edition released 2024. Most popular WWII historical miniature wargame.
What is Bolt Action?
Bolt Action is WWII 28MM HISTORICAL MINIATURE WARGAME. First published 2012 by WARLORD GAMES + OSPREY PUBLISHING. Designed by ALESSIO CAVATORE + RICK PRIESTLEY (both formerly Games Workshop; Priestley = 40K co-creator; Cavatore worked on 40K + WFB). GAMEPLAY: SQUAD-BASED SKIRMISH (10-30 miniatures per side). ORDER DICE mechanic = ONE COLORED DIE PER UNIT (one per side) drawn from bag alternately — creates TACTICAL UNCERTAINTY (which unit activates next unknown). Each order: 6 CHOICES — FIRE, ADVANCE, RUN, AMBUSH, DOWN, RALLY. Units gain PIN MARKERS when fired at (accumulating suppression); enough pins = unit inaccurate + can flee. NATIONS: British, US, German, Soviet, Japanese, French, Italian, plus expansions. FORCES: infantry squads + machine guns + artillery + tanks + halftracks. THIRD EDITION 2024 refined system. HUGE VARIETY of THEATER supplements: PACIFIC, EASTERN FRONT, DESERT, WESTERN EUROPE, NORMANDY, BATTLE OF THE BULGE, MARKET GARDEN, ITALY. CAMPAIGN books provide historical scenarios. LARGE COMMUNITY globally; frequent tournaments. Considered MOST POPULAR WWII HISTORICAL MINIATURE WARGAME — beats FLAMES OF WAR (competitor) in North American community. RELATED: BLOOD RED SKIES (WWII air combat), CRUEL SEAS (naval), KONFLIKT '47 (WWII with weird tech).
Quick facts
Category
Miniature Wargames
Type
Team sport
Players
2–4
Duration
~180 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
wargame table + terrain
Country of origin
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Estimated origin
1st Edition 2012 Warlord Games/Osprey; 2nd Edition 2016; 3rd Edition 2024
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Complete scenario mission (destroy enemy, hold objectives, escape, etc.) using period-appropriate WWII tactics.
Rules
Basic rules
Order dice determine activation order
Each player has colored dice equal to units; drawn alternately from bag.
6 order choices per activation
FIRE, ADVANCE, RUN, AMBUSH, DOWN, RALLY.
Shooting: to-hit roll → damage → save
D6 rolls; modifiers for cover, range, veterans.
Pin markers accumulate from being shot at
Pins reduce combat effectiveness; 12+ pins possible fleeing.
Tanks + heavy weapons have detailed rules
Armor penetration + damage tables.
Missions from rulebook or campaigns
Objective + Body Count scenarios common.
Scoring
Scenario-based. Victory Points from objectives held + enemy units destroyed.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Objective held | 1-3 VP |
| Enemy unit destroyed | VP equal to unit cost |
| Scenario-specific bonuses | Varies |
Win condition · Scenario objectives + VP total.
Playing area
Called
wargame table + terrain
Dimensions
typically 6ft × 4ft table with WWII terrain
Terrain: buildings, hedgerows, forests, hills; typically 3D scale models.
Equipment
Rulebook
€30-50 3rd Edition
28mm plastic + metal miniatures
Warlord Games; €30-60 per 30-mini box
Colored order dice (D6, 12+ per side)
€5-10 dice set
Measuring tape (inches)
€5
Templates: teardrop, HE blast
For artillery/grenades
6-8 D6 for combat
Standard dice
Terrain: buildings, hedgerows, forests
€50-500 for complete table setup
Painted armies (typically 1000 pts)
1000 pts ~30 miniatures + 1-2 tanks
Strategies
Army list customization for scenario
Different missions favor different builds.
Order dice randomization = flexibility premium
Units that can 'wait' (Ambush) are strong.
Cover + suppression essential
Pin markers > actual damage often — force enemy pinned.
Terminology
- Order dice
- Colored D6 in bag; drawn to activate units.
- Pin marker
- Suppression counter reducing effectiveness.
- FUBAR
- Failed order test result — random action.
- Assault
- Melee combat resolution.
- Cover
- Terrain protection modifier.
- Recce
- Reconnaissance units with move-shoot-move ability.
Major competitions
Bolt Action UK Nationals
annual · UK · since 2013
Bolt Action World Championship
annual · worldwide · since 2018
Historicon (major convention)
annual · USA · since 1975
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Warlord Games (publisher)
Founded 2007 · UK (Nottingham)
Official site ↗Osprey Publishing (co-publisher)
Founded 1969 · UK
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Alessio Cavatore (Italy/UK) — Designer
- Rick Priestley (UK, b. 1960) — Co-designer; also created Warhammer + 40K
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Buy STARTER SET (2-player, €80-100)
Includes minis + dice + rules for both sides.
- 2
Play at local game store (Warlord retailer network)
Community teaches faster than solo learning.
intermediate
- 1
Build 1000-point army for chosen nation
~30 miniatures + 1-2 tanks; €200-300 investment.
- 2
Attend local Bolt Action tournament
Warlord-affiliated events global.
advanced
- 1
Multiple nation armies + tournament scene
Master different playstyles.
Frequently asked
What is Bolt Action?+
WWII 28MM HISTORICAL MINIATURE WARGAME (2012) by ALESSIO CAVATORE + RICK PRIESTLEY (both ex-Games Workshop). Published Warlord Games + Osprey. SQUAD-BASED SKIRMISH (10-30 miniatures per side). Signature ORDER DICE mechanic — colored dice drawn from bag alternately for unit activation (tactical uncertainty). Nations: British, US, German, Soviet, Japanese, French, Italian + expansions. 3rd Edition 2024 current. Most popular WWII historical miniature wargame globally.
How is Bolt Action different from Warhammer 40K?+
BOLT ACTION = HISTORICAL WWII, 28mm scale, INFANTRY-focused (30 mini per side), ORDER DICE random activation. WARHAMMER 40K = SCI-FI FUTURE, 28mm scale, larger armies (30-200 miniatures per side), IGO-UGO turn-based, MORE FANTASTICAL units. Different genres despite same scale + manufacturer connection (both Games Workshop veterans design Bolt Action). Bolt Action MORE APPROACHABLE — fewer miniatures + cheaper start (€150-200 vs €300-500). Historical vs fantasy preference determines choice.
How much does Bolt Action cost to start?+
€150-250 for STARTER SET (2 armies + dice + rules) OR €300-400 for SINGLE ARMY (1000 pts) + rulebook + dice + templates. TERRAIN can add €100-500 (or use household items initially). PAINTING time-consuming — 30 miniatures require 15-30 hours quality painting (or pay commission $200-500). MODERATELY EXPENSIVE hobby but LESS than Warhammer 40K (€500-1500 typical armies). MOST AFFORDABLE historical wargame at 28mm scale.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Bolt Action— Wikipedia
- Warlord Games — Bolt Action— Warlord Games