I own a wargaming store in Thailand and we're preparing to start a Bolt Action community here. Since Bolt Action has no player base here... it is a good chance for us to introduce 'House rules' to balance the game (but most of all, make it more fun)... and these House rules may set a precedent for the future of Bolt Action in Thailand. So far, I see that tanks are, in general, inferior to infantry... especially some heavy and super-heavy tanks... rebalancing the points is a complex and potentially confusing option, so these are the ideas for House rules I have so far: Inexperienced tanks: ignore understrength pins on 4+ (so they're possible to pin, but not certain, still endangered by flamethrowers) Regular tanks: ignore understrength pins (less likely to be wiped by a flamethrower and cannot be pinned by MMG) Veteran tanks: ignore pins from all weapon attacks (does anyone see potential problems with this rule?) Tiger tanks, IS-2 and Super-heavy tanks all receive +1 armour (they are popular products, but all low-tier, and I dont want them to be disappointing to play with. Also honestly it seems more realistic looking at the historical data) Any other popular house rules worth encouraging at this early stage? Thanks
Wow. Good to know. Definitely taking one of these squads in my Soviets every now and then. Glad you’re keeping up on the Bolt Action content. You helped out a ton when I was transferring from 40K to Bolt Action. Thanks for the well made vids.
Some ideas for futur videos: - List building/why multiple platoons? /how many infantry squads / weapon loadout / how much AT? / how much armor?/ Toolbox of a well balanced army / must have units / etc. - All possible playstyles of the major Factions and how to build lists accordingly - often forgotten rules in BA - Using Smoke screens - Where to get Miniatures for minor factions (manufacturer). - most cheesy things to do (or not to do) in bolt action - emplaced tank turrets - konflikt 47 Walkers worth it? - konflikt 47 additional units - konflikt 47 faction reviews Edit: I forgot the most important one... ...polish army review. 😉😇 Just some ideas, you already covered most of the things i was wondering about ba anyway. Thanks for your work, it helps a lot and i love listening to your videos while painting.
I’ve recently started running a semi-historical campaign with some college friends. Because one of my friends couldn’t make it and the other didn’t realize we were starting with Poland and not France, he made a French platoon and I was forced to cobble together a German one on the fly in our equivalent to the Saar offensive. The 1939 German theatre selector is hysterical. You get access to both flamethrowers as part of Pioneer units, as well as access to the 88mm. He sent a B1 medium tank at me. The tank was doing a good job at harassing my units for about 3 turns. I finally had enough and attacked him once with my flamethrower and destroyed his tank. Flamethrowers are fucking stupid lmao, actually gamebreaking. I can’t believe they got past testing because good god.
Very nice Video! Nice that you pointed out how the long range and Point blank modifiers work. I think a lot of Guys are missing this strange interaction. Personally i love my flamethrower or Pioneer Team. They are like a Swiss Army Knive and can delete what ever your opponent points at you. Very Important to mention is that a flamethrower is your only Chance of survival against japanese Bamboo spams because the japanese fanatic rule does not ignore the Moral Checks from Flamethrowers.
Bbq s are absurd considering their point cost. At the very least the should have to take a morale check when they are fired upon when they ate outside of their own ...firing range
It's common practice among experienced players opt for the 8 man veteran squad considering of the terrifying morale checks that flamethrowers cause. But soviets have a army wide rule; that lets them re-roll morale checks that threaten the infantry unit. So taking an 11 man veteran squad when playing the soviets isn't such a bad idea as the survivors are the least likely to run away.
When using the flamethrower and shooting it into or in the building you need to D6 check, on a 4,5,6 if the building catch fire and is impassible to any units on any floor.
Do you want a review of the Polish Army or do you want a review of a Campaign book involving the Polish? My Army reviews are specifically referring to the Nations as they appear in the Armies of books, which can be quite underwhelming for minor factions. I plan on doing Campaign book reviews where I cover the scenarios and forces in them, but for the sake of brevity, I keep them separate. Otherwise these videos would take me a very long time to make.
Yeah a review of minor factions would be great. Poland has some unique troops like cavalry. Also Tankettes are cute. 😁 maybe you could bundle together some allied minor factions in a video or something 🤔
@@HollywoodWargaming I was thinking ankiet The Polish army faction, not necessarily in campaign books, but since you mentioned that it actually makes a lot of sense to do campaign books where they fought etc. By no means we want you to spend so much time on one thing. You are doing great work and whatever you decide will be def a good decision! Looking forward to more videos.
All my Sovet tanks can take a flamethrower as a weapon in fact I just bought a KV-8, then I built my T-34 as a OT-34/85. Then I also have the option of removing the co-axial MG on the KV-2 and replace it with yes a flamethrower like Stalins Fridge couldn't get terrifying enough with it's massive Infantry eraser 152mm M-10 howitzer. The only tank that I own that is Soviet that does not have a flameethrower option is my IS-2. My KV-8 and 2, then my OT-34 all with ATO-41. I'll also add the Soviets if they take the ROKS-2 flamethrower and they are part of a squad of infantry or engineers then they can not be targeted or chosen as an exceptional damage result as the ROKS-2 looks like a backpack and rifle and so is indistinguishable from a regular infantryman.
How does flamethrower rules apply on units with fanatics? Are units with fanatics special rule immune to morale checks caused by flamethrowers? Asking out of curiosity due to having read one guy having problems with an opponent who plays with 5*12 bamboo stick units with his Japanese.
they are strong, but they are needed. Finnish have basically no anti tank/anti horde option expect for a lone flamthrower and some random list with big (unreliable) tanks. I can agree that playing ONLY FT can be a lot unpleasant, but you can say the same against bamboo fighters, gurkhas or else. Removing FT from the game or changing them would amper the balance of the game itself, asking for more changes, which can happen but need some thinking. I also find hilarius that you are excluding infantry based FT, but not the tank one, which have better range, more hits and doesn't make the unit to count destroyed even if it runs out of fuel. Okay, a vehicle is more "fragile" than a small team (especially veteran), but it serve the same role if not better.
@@HollywoodWargaming yes, but panzershreck is hella expansive in comparison to FT and panzerfaust are only 0-2 and only in continuation war and jaakari squads (so, not sisu)
@@HollywoodWargaming therein lies one of my biggest gripes with BA: Fausts and Shrecks weren’t fielded until 1943. In BA, historical equipment lists seem secondary to list building.
I get a bit confused with the small differences between the rulesets sometimes. We just play everything with bolt action rules except close quarter combat.
Flamethrowers are OP, no doubt. One enemy flamethrower is manageable, two start to get scary, more is just not fun. Small correction: The target only ever do a single morale check following an attack. It's the last step/phase of the shooting procedure, occasionally triggered by some condition (like a flamethrower hit or casualties) - not an additional out-of-sequence event. The rulebook states, p.67: "The target of a flamethrower must always check its morale once firing has been worked out and pin markers allocated as described above. Note that a morale check is required regardless of the number of casualties caused and even if no damage has been suffered at all."
@@ijsbeermeneer9952"Target checks morale" is the last step, in the Shooting sequence. It's a single step. It can have multiple sources that trigger it, but it's always a single step to execute - no matter the amount of triggers. E.g. Small arms fire only trigger if more than half is casualties, flamethrowers ALWAYS trigger the step no matter the amount of casualties. The rules never mention anything about an additional roll. People are reading stuff into the rules that are simply not there.
Ambush is quite good against flamers, they have to come to you in most cases. And if you don't kill it, it will still give a pin marker. We also have a sort of geneva conventions. The difference is we don't have to do it, you are just being frowned upon. this also includes suicide units (anti tank dogs, japanese anti tank units), flamers, Multiple rocket launchers. If we are talking about OP units, the multiple rocket launchers are in there too. We are also trying out a few house rules to fix some of the problems we have as a group with the game
I own a wargaming store in Thailand and we're preparing to start a Bolt Action community here.
Since Bolt Action has no player base here... it is a good chance for us to introduce 'House rules' to balance the game (but most of all, make it more fun)... and these House rules may set a precedent for the future of Bolt Action in Thailand.
So far, I see that tanks are, in general, inferior to infantry... especially some heavy and super-heavy tanks... rebalancing the points is a complex and potentially confusing option, so these are the ideas for House rules I have so far:
Inexperienced tanks: ignore understrength pins on 4+ (so they're possible to pin, but not certain, still endangered by flamethrowers)
Regular tanks: ignore understrength pins (less likely to be wiped by a flamethrower and cannot be pinned by MMG)
Veteran tanks: ignore pins from all weapon attacks (does anyone see potential problems with this rule?)
Tiger tanks, IS-2 and Super-heavy tanks all receive +1 armour (they are popular products, but all low-tier, and I dont want them to be disappointing to play with. Also honestly it seems more realistic looking at the historical data)
Any other popular house rules worth encouraging at this early stage?
Thanks
Hey I know it’s like 9 months ago but where is this shop?
Wow. Good to know. Definitely taking one of these squads in my Soviets every now and then. Glad you’re keeping up on the Bolt Action content. You helped out a ton when I was transferring from 40K to Bolt Action. Thanks for the well made vids.
Some ideas for futur videos:
- List building/why multiple platoons? /how many infantry squads / weapon loadout / how much AT? / how much armor?/ Toolbox of a well balanced army / must have units / etc.
- All possible playstyles of the major Factions and how to build lists accordingly
- often forgotten rules in BA
- Using Smoke screens
- Where to get Miniatures for minor factions (manufacturer).
- most cheesy things to do (or not to do) in bolt action
- emplaced tank turrets
- konflikt 47 Walkers worth it?
- konflikt 47 additional units
- konflikt 47 faction reviews
Edit:
I forgot the most important one...
...polish army review. 😉😇
Just some ideas, you already covered most of the things i was wondering about ba anyway. Thanks for your work, it helps a lot and i love listening to your videos while painting.
I’ve recently started running a semi-historical campaign with some college friends.
Because one of my friends couldn’t make it and the other didn’t realize we were starting with Poland and not France, he made a French platoon and I was forced to cobble together a German one on the fly in our equivalent to the Saar offensive.
The 1939 German theatre selector is hysterical. You get access to both flamethrowers as part of Pioneer units, as well as access to the 88mm.
He sent a B1 medium tank at me. The tank was doing a good job at harassing my units for about 3 turns. I finally had enough and attacked him once with my flamethrower and destroyed his tank.
Flamethrowers are fucking stupid lmao, actually gamebreaking. I can’t believe they got past testing because good god.
Very nice Video! Nice that you pointed out how the long range and Point blank modifiers work. I think a lot of Guys are missing this strange interaction. Personally i love my flamethrower or Pioneer Team. They are like a Swiss Army Knive and can delete what ever your opponent points at you.
Very Important to mention is that a flamethrower is your only Chance of survival against japanese Bamboo spams because the japanese fanatic rule does not ignore the Moral Checks from Flamethrowers.
I was planning on one for my Germans but this has sold me on it. If only the snow troopers flamethrower was better. Lol
He indeed looks like a "Draw me like one of your french girls - flamethrower" :-D
The one in the pioneers box is very nice.
@@inkognito3806 it dose. I was thinking of getting making my own but will more then likely get one of those.
OP, no. Powerful, yes. They're easy enough to deal with, just don't let the psychological impact of your opponent taking one get to you.
Nice Vid. They are also available in troop units as well, mostly in engineers/sappers sections.
Bbq s are absurd considering their point cost. At the very least the should have to take a morale check when they are fired upon when they ate outside of their own ...firing range
This game is basically Warhammer 40k played with .303 Lee Enfields.
It's common practice among experienced players opt for the 8 man veteran squad considering of the terrifying morale checks that flamethrowers cause.
But soviets have a army wide rule; that lets them re-roll morale checks that threaten the infantry unit.
So taking an 11 man veteran squad when playing the soviets isn't such a bad idea as the survivors are the least likely to run away.
Praise be Hollywood gaming!
When using the flamethrower and shooting it into or in the building you need to D6 check, on a 4,5,6 if the building catch fire and is impassible to any units on any floor.
Totally missed that. Bolt Action rule book format strikes again!
@@HollywoodWargaming i wish they could re-release with all that errata and a GLOSSARY
Stubborn troops can survive Flamethrowers, also Japanese or fanatics.
Another great video. Still waiting for your review of Polish faction! maybe one day 🤷🏻♂️😁
Do you want a review of the Polish Army or do you want a review of a Campaign book involving the Polish? My Army reviews are specifically referring to the Nations as they appear in the Armies of books, which can be quite underwhelming for minor factions. I plan on doing Campaign book reviews where I cover the scenarios and forces in them, but for the sake of brevity, I keep them separate. Otherwise these videos would take me a very long time to make.
Yeah a review of minor factions would be great. Poland has some unique troops like cavalry. Also Tankettes are cute. 😁 maybe you could bundle together some allied minor factions in a video or something 🤔
@@HollywoodWargaming I was thinking ankiet The Polish army faction, not necessarily in campaign books, but since you mentioned that it actually makes a lot of sense to do campaign books where they fought etc. By no means we want you to spend so much time on one thing. You are doing great work and whatever you decide will be def a good decision! Looking forward to more videos.
All my Sovet tanks can take a flamethrower as a weapon in fact I just bought a KV-8, then I built my T-34 as a OT-34/85. Then I also have the option of removing the co-axial MG on the KV-2 and replace it with yes a flamethrower like Stalins Fridge couldn't get terrifying enough with it's massive Infantry eraser 152mm M-10 howitzer. The only tank that I own that is Soviet that does not have a flameethrower option is my IS-2. My KV-8 and 2, then my OT-34 all with ATO-41.
I'll also add the Soviets if they take the ROKS-2 flamethrower and they are part of a squad of infantry or engineers then they can not be targeted or chosen as an exceptional damage result as the ROKS-2 looks like a backpack and rifle and so is indistinguishable from a regular infantryman.
I know right? I got the start collecting winter Soviets army and saw the flamethrower was an option on THE FRIDGE
Vehicle Flamethrower video coming soon
Great, informative stuff as always. Do you know if flamethrowers can react to an infantry assault?
I believe I mentioned that in the video. But if you’re within 6” of the target they do not get to react.
How does flamethrower rules apply on units with fanatics? Are units with fanatics special rule immune to morale checks caused by flamethrowers?
Asking out of curiosity due to having read one guy having problems with an opponent who plays with 5*12 bamboo stick units with his Japanese.
Thanks for the video. The flamer should have assault.
How about house-ruling away the forced morale check..?
Thoughts on hull mounted flamethrowers? for example on T34? must take?
Huge advantage over Turret Mounted flamethrowers. Flame vehicles are less of a must-have but can be quite devastating.
Would a simple rule change that doesn't allow them in transports fix them 🤔
I just dont take flamethrowers since I consider them OP and annoying in the game
Polish review please
Geneva convention lol
they are strong, but they are needed.
Finnish have basically no anti tank/anti horde option expect for a lone flamthrower and some random list with big (unreliable) tanks.
I can agree that playing ONLY FT can be a lot unpleasant, but you can say the same against bamboo fighters, gurkhas or else.
Removing FT from the game or changing them would amper the balance of the game itself, asking for more changes, which can happen but need some thinking.
I also find hilarius that you are excluding infantry based FT, but not the tank one, which have better range, more hits and doesn't make the unit to count destroyed even if it runs out of fuel.
Okay, a vehicle is more "fragile" than a small team (especially veteran), but it serve the same role if not better.
Finns have Fausts and Schrecks, no?
@@HollywoodWargaming yes, but panzershreck is hella expansive in comparison to FT and panzerfaust are only 0-2 and only in continuation war and jaakari squads (so, not sisu)
@@HollywoodWargaming therein lies one of my biggest gripes with BA: Fausts and Shrecks weren’t fielded until 1943. In BA, historical equipment lists seem secondary to list building.
I put mine in a lav
Would you ever think about doing some stuff for conflict 47?
Potentially. I was gifted the books for it. I’m just not very big on a lot of the add on rules and army designs.
I get a bit confused with the small differences between the rulesets sometimes. We just play everything with bolt action rules except close quarter combat.
Flamethrowers are OP, no doubt. One enemy flamethrower is manageable, two start to get scary, more is just not fun.
Small correction:
The target only ever do a single morale check following an attack. It's the last step/phase of the shooting procedure, occasionally triggered by some condition (like a flamethrower hit or casualties) - not an additional out-of-sequence event.
The rulebook states, p.67: "The target of a flamethrower must always check its
morale once firing has been worked out and pin markers
allocated as described above. Note that a morale check is
required regardless of the number of casualties caused and
even if no damage has been suffered at all."
Yes but what if half a unit of infantry is killed? That unit needs to do a second morale test
@@ijsbeermeneer9952"Target checks morale" is the last step, in the Shooting sequence. It's a single step. It can have multiple sources that trigger it, but it's always a single step to execute - no matter the amount of triggers.
E.g. Small arms fire only trigger if more than half is casualties, flamethrowers ALWAYS trigger the step no matter the amount of casualties.
The rules never mention anything about an additional roll. People are reading stuff into the rules that are simply not there.
Ambush is quite good against flamers, they have to come to you in most cases. And if you don't kill it, it will still give a pin marker.
We also have a sort of geneva conventions. The difference is we don't have to do it, you are just being frowned upon.
this also includes suicide units (anti tank dogs, japanese anti tank units), flamers, Multiple rocket launchers.
If we are talking about OP units, the multiple rocket launchers are in there too.
We are also trying out a few house rules to fix some of the problems we have as a group with the game