Released on Sept. 20, 2014 – Tank War – was the first Bolt Action supplement books created by Osprey Publishing and Warlord Games. Over the next ten years an additional 23 Campaign and Theater books would be published to supplement our beloved game. In 2021 I created a ranking of the existing 19 Bolt Action books. The list was updated in 2022 and again in 2023. But now, with the confirmation of Bolt Action: Third Edition, it’s time for one final update.
Each book was rated across five categories; Units, Theater Selectors, Scenarios, Production, and Layout. There is a max of 5 points in each category resulting in a score between 5 and 25. In the case of ties, I adjusted the overall rank to award the more impactful book with a higher overall position.
Note: Only the Theater and Campaign books are included. The Armies of… books were not considered.
24 – Ostfront: Barbarossa to Berlin
Published Feb. 20, 2015
Written by Andy Chambers
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
Following Battleground Europe, Ostfront was the second Theater book released. Sadly there were no improvements made to either the layout or formatting and the scenarios lack the unique charm of Battleground Europe. Compounded by the cumbersome way they are written and presented, this leaves the player without anything to really dive into. But there are a few specialized units and Theater Selectors like the Red Army Winter War Reinforced Platoon and the OT-130 Teletank. Frustratingly, in an attempt to cover what the book calls “fighting that raged virtually without pause for four years across thousands of miles of territory” players are only provided with the highest level overview. There is simply too much ground to cover. A supplement for the entire Eastern Front is just too much.
23 – Duel in the Sun: The African and Italian Campaigns
Published Feb. 25, 2016
Written by Dylan Owen & Alessio Cavatore
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 11 |
Duel in the Sun will always have a special place in my heart as the first Theater book I owned and I found true hobby inspiration in its pages. However, that cannot save it from a host of issues. Like all the Theater books, the layout is unforgivable. Mixing the profiles for new units and Selectors within the scenarios and historical background makes it impossible to quickly reference the book for information. On the plus side, the inclusion of the Indian Army was both welcome and overdue. Although the rules are a bit light, a player now had the means to create and play a purely Commonwealth Indian Army. These rules would later be expanded on in Campaign: The Western Desert but that was still years away.
The production took a major step forward with the inclusion of models outside of the Warlord line, mainly Perry. To my knowledge, this is the first Bolt Action book to showcase models not produced by Warlord. It would not be the last. Standing as the fifth and final Theater book, Duel deserves a place in Bolt Action history, but not at the top of the ranking.
22 – Battleground Europe: D-Day to Germany
Published Nov. 20, 2014
Written by Ryan Miller, Rick Priestly & Alessio Cavatore
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 11 |
The first Theater book published, Battleground Europe set the tone for the next four books. Sadly, some poor choices made during this first publication carried over for years. The main offender (and why the Layout rating is set to 1) is the strange choice to include new units and Selectors scattered throughout the book. There is no way to get an overview of what new units have been added in any of the Theater books. Thankfully, later publications would correct this.
In this book, unit rules are hidden throughout the scenarios, and sometimes game rules are in green call-out boxes (usually those boxes are reserved for historical background). The scenario special rules are also scattered throughout and referenced in later missions (Minefields see p.36, Amphibious Assault see p.31), why not include all the special rules in one section? Where this book shines is the scenarios. They are excellent. The scenarios are simple, unique, and to the point.
21 – Campaign: Mariana & Palua Islands
Published Sept 3, 2020
Written by Mark Gallear
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 12 |
Although Mariana & Palau Islands is one of the relatively recent releases, this book it fails to capitalize on the years of lessons learned. The formatting for the Theater Selectors uses this two-column style in an effort to get multiple Selectors onto one page and the result is a mess. The Selectors are also not collected into one section, they are spread throughout the book creating a frustrating and confusing reading experience. And I must mention the Selectors are just plain uninteresting. The one high point are the new units introduced.
You do have to give props for a book that highlights a lesser know and lesser played part of the war, but why did this book not follow the example set from previous publications with its layout? A missed opportunity.
You can read more in our Campaign: Mariana & Palau Islands Hot Take.
20 – Campaign: Battle of the Bulge
Published Feb. 23, 2017
Written by Mark Barber
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 12 |
The first supplement for Second Edition and the first of the Campaign books, Bulge breaks the mold in many ways. For starters, this book is concerned with only one battle. Not an entire front or theater of operations. This will be the focus for the vast majority of the books that follow. The sweeping scope of the Theater books is gone – we are now zooming into specific engagements.
Included in the pages is a full army list for Late-War Free France and there are some truly unique and exciting options for an army. A force of Free French SAS and/or French North African Troops would be something else! But for as fun as the French list looks, the book is bogged down by just bizarre and unclear rules for Panzerbrigade 150. And for some reason, the choice was made not to break out the new unit profiles and Selectors into one section. The new Selectors are pretty fantastic and the AT Platoon was introduced (it remains one of Ben’s favorites).
19 – Germany Strikes! Early War in Europe
Published July 20, 2015
Written by John Lambshead
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 13 |
The poor formatting of the Theater books continues. Germany Strikes! is packed with fantastic and flavorful units and Selectors but they are so frustrating to find. Scattered throughout the book and divided by operation and chronology – nice to use as a reference book but not for a gaming supplement.
Early War is an often overlooked area of Bolt Action and Germany Strikes! held the line as our only Early War in Europe supplement for years. It’s packed with unique content like the Fallschirmjager drop onto Eben Emael and the fearsome Neubaufahrzeug Pzkpw V Model A Tank (possibly the most incredible machine of the entire war). The scenarios are fun and well written, and the “Players Note” provides welcome insight for those looking to play these missions. I would have loved to put this book higher on the Ranking but the egregious formatting really killed its chances.
18 – Campaign: The Western Desert
Published Sept. 20, 2018
Written by Roger Gerrish & Mike Bradford
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 13 |
Ah Western Desert, you got so much right and so much wrong. This is another book that should have scored higher. The annoying layout and the major inconsistencies/errors/insane unit rules (looking at you Schutzen Squad) keep The Western Desert from rising to the top. The highlights include full rules for Commonwealth Forces, a major and needed buff to Italian National Rules, out of control (in a good way) LRDG special rules/options, and the Scenario maps are a great addition. As an Italian player I was beyond hyped for this release and overall, it did not disappoint. I am continually inspired by The Western Desert to start new hobby projects and create new armies.
17 – Campaign: Gigant
Operation Sea Lion: The Second Front
Published June, 2017
Written by John Lambshead
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 14 |
A true under-the-radar release and one of only two Bolt Action supplements that go all-out alternate history. Actually, I’d wager that Gigant is beyond the scope of alternate history. I mean, the premise of the book is set around the invention and deployment of the ME 323 Gigant – a glider that can hold numerous Panzer tanks!
The layout is good, it works. Nothing fancy and gets the job done. Although this is a fantastic book, if you thought Sea Lion was too out there, this is not the book for you! Even though Gigant is thin (only 64 pages) it’s packed with content. Crazy unique units and Selectors. It’s got rules for a Panzer I that arrives via paradrop! This is a book that knows exactly what it’s about and leans all the way in.
16 – Campaign: Italy: Soft Underbelly
Published Oct. 28, 2021
Written by Robert Vella
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 14 |
The first in a new series on the Italian campaign, Soft Underbelly is a mixed bag. Although there is a vast array of new units, rules, Theater Selectors, and options – a series of poor design, layout, and editorial decisions resulted in a mediocre final product. The most egregious example is the British and Commonwealth National Characteristics section. It’s a complete mess. Confusing and difficult to scan, it’s frustrating to make sense of.
Now, on the other side of the coin, holy moly is there a lot of new stuff! The book is packed with Theater Selectors, units, and special rules. Included are rules for Italy; Army, Commandos, MPs, Germany; Panzergrenadier, Herman Goring Division, Fallschirmjäger, UK; Highlanders, Irish, Indians, Guards, Canadians, Airborne, Commandos, US; Army Recon, Nisei, FSSF, Rangers, Airborne and Popski’s Private Army. The content is there, but the execution is sorely lacking.
For more coverage, give Campaign: Italy: Soft Underbelly Hot Take a read.
15 – Empires in Flames: The Pacific and Far East
Published Oct. 20, 2015
Written by Andy Chamber
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 14 |
Empires deserves props for nothing more then giving players the opportunity to play games set in 1937 during the Second Sino-Japanese War. This is fantastic and I am still waiting for a supplement focused on the Spanish Civil War. I have a soft spot for Early-War Bolt Action. I think the game is at its best when playing Early War and Empires brings the Early War heat.
The layout is improved over other Theater books – the scenario special rules are collected in the back of the book, not scattered throughout. The Selectors and new units though are still not collected in one spot to allow quick reference. But what the book lacks in cohesive formatting it makes up for in scope. There are units from 1937-1945 from the US, UK, IJA, Soviet Union, and a full Army List for China. Excuse me, two full army lists for China. You can run either Nationalist or Warlord and both have unique options. The scope of the scenarios is just as impressive. There are rules for night fighting, jungle warfare, urban battles, and more. This is the one of farthest-reaching of the supplement books.
Special shout out to the book that brought us the absolute filth that is Gurkha Paratroopers. I had to mention it. Oh, also Mongolian Cavalry. And Merrill’s Marauders. Also X & Y Force. Dang, this book is legit.
14 – Campaign: The Road to Berlin
Published Nov. 30, 2017
Written by Roger Gerrish
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 15 |
The Road to Berlin is certainly one of the top books from a production standpoint. The photos are fantastic, the terrain superb and the scenario maps are well done. However, this does not help the book’s horrible layout. Units and Selectors are buried within flavor text and split across multiple pages and divided by poor image placement. There are multiple instances where it’s not clear if something is rules or historical background.
When are you able to find the rules, they are unique and flavorful. There is a full Army List for the Polish Home Army! It’s a great boost to the Partisan Army List included in France and the Allies and gives players a chance to bring something other than a generic resistance force. We also have the next-level Extended Last Levy Selector. This Selector is filled to the brink with wild units and really lets you run with the theme of desperate urban warfare. For example, the Panzer-Zestorer Truppen is a squad with three Panzerschrecks, three. Also included are German Tank Riders, the Panzer VIII Maus (King of Paper Panzers), and multiple NKVD units along with an NKVD Theater Selector. If you are looking for Late-War Soviet, German or Partisan options, this is the book for you.
13 – Korea
Published Aug. 22, 2019
Written by John Russell & Steven L. Urquhart Smith
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 15 |
This is a massive tome. Korea weighs in at 240 pages. For context, the Second Edition Rulebook is 228 pages… Following the example of most supplements published in late 2018-2020, the production is fantastic. A wonderful (if limited) new model range was released along with the book (still waiting on plastic US with greatcoats). Players are able to leverage many of the existing Bolt Action kits (especially Late-War Soviet and US tanks) meaning some may already have a collection to use for a Korea game.
Where Korea falters is scope. This is an attempt to put the history of an entire multi-year, multi-nation conflict into one book. It also tries to adapt the Bolt Action rules one-for-one into a struggle that did not take place during WWII and unfortunately, it fails to hit the mark. The Bolt Action rules needed to be recalibrated at a foundational level to account for the change in weapons, technology, and tactics post-1945. Playing a game of Korea feels like any other game of Bolt Action.
The layout of the book is almost perfect. Only missing a point for the two-column layout for the Selectors. The Selectors themselves are pretty standard. The majority of the units are straight from Bolt Action with a few exceptions. The production is excellent, with the new model range captured in lovely photos.
This is a tricky one to grade against the other Bolt Action supplement books. Partly because it’s not meant to be Bolt Action. It’s meant to be something one step further. I hope Korea does not stop Warlord from pushing the boundaries of what Bolt Action can be. But the lesson learned here is if Bolt Action: Vietnam is ever released (and I hope it is) it will need to change the base Bolt Action rules from the ground up.
12 – Tank War
Published Sept. 20, 2014
Written by Ryan Miller, Rick Priestly & Alessio Cavatore
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 15 |
Outside of the Armies of…books, Tank War was the first published supplement for Bolt Action. Although long in the tooth (it’s almost as old as the game itself) Tank War has stood the test of time with its contents enshrined in the hallowed halls of Bolt Actions legacy. Tank War introduced the current rules for pinning armored vehicles years before Second Edition arrived. And the Tank Battle Scenario is an undeniable classic (why it’s formatted across five pages, I’ll never know).
Beyond these highlights, there are a host of extra bonus rules like Vehicle Crew Experience, Tank Ace, linked games, and Legendary Crew. The new Command Vehicles are all pretty same-y and have been almost entirely replaced by more recent books. But at the time, they were needed and I’ve even used a couple of the Command Vehicles in Second Edition armies.
But let us never forget, Tank War gave us the Armored Platoon Selector. Thank you Tank War, for giving us a new way to play Bolt Action.
11 – Campaign: D-Day: Overlord
Published June 27, 2019
Written by Robert Vella
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 16 |
Another huge Campaign book with 216 pages, Overlord tries its best to add variety to a series of airborne drops and beach landings. Sadly the scenarios all have the same vibe. The units however are quite interesting. You’ve got all kinds of specialized units like Beach Assault Squads, DD Shermans, and various French tanks converted into German service. We do also have the infamous Forward Naval Observer. This guy remains one of the most insane units added to the game. With a blast radius of d6+9″, all affected units take Pins on a 1-4, a 2″ HE template on a 5, and a 4″ HE template on a 6, it’s pretty over the top. Not to mention the chance that vehicles are ‘flipped over’ and count as destroyed if they take the 5 or 6. Oh, units in buildings take 3d6+2 hits… (note: the Naval Observer was “adjusted” per the FAQ).
The book itself follows the preferred layout of Scenarios – Units – Selectors – Special Rules – but the formatting on the pages themselves is subpar. Overall, D-Day is sold. If you are looking to play games during the Normandy landings, you can’t go wrong. Full marks for specificity, but outside of the landings there is not much for you.
10 – Campaign: Italy: Tough Gut
Published Aug. 12, 2023
Written by Robert Vella
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 17 |
Breaking into our Top 10 by a single point, Tough Gut followed the long break after Soft Underbelly and improved in every aspect. It’s a damn shame that took this long to add the Equipment & Attachments section to the Theater Selectors. It’s such a nice touch that gives clarity to the options available to each Platoon.
There are some almost disgustingly powerful force options in here such as US II Corps (Sharpshooters anyone?) and the Commonwealth rules have finally peaked. That being said, I still haven’t fully wrapped my head around the “Supported Theater Selectors” for France and Poland – those forces are not French or Polish. They are American and British. It’s a design idea that holds back an otherwise excellent book that deservers a spot in the Top 10.
For more coverage, give Campaign: Italy: Tough Gut Hot Take a read.
9 – Campaign: Market Garden
Published Feb. 22, 2018
Written by Chris Brown
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 18 |
Power, absolute power. Market Garden contains some of the most competitive offerings in Bolt Action. You’ve got the British XXX Corps, the American Parachute Platoon, and the British Airborne Recon Troop – all of these Sectors are hard as nails and a difficult force to face on the table. On the other side of the coin, a handful of the scenarios are far too prescriptive and force the players to take a force from an exact list of units. The more open scenarios are great and provide a host of interesting deployment rules for combat jumps, reserves, outflanks, and drop zones. Sadly the way the book is formatted prevents it from achieving greatness with annoying layouts and unit rules buried within flavor text.
Market Garden is a book of high highs and low lows. The Germans really don’t get much to work with here. The Alarm Patrols are a joke outside of very specific scenarios and the Flak Battalion Support looks amazing until you realize you can’t move within 18″ of the enemy. German players looking for top-tier Selectors should look elsewhere.
8 – Campaign: Case Blue
Published Jan. 9, 2024
Written by Alexander Smith & Ryan Smith
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 18 |
Although we didn’t know it at the time, Case Blue was the final supplement for Second Edition. In one of the great ironies, the Italian Army Special Rules in Case Blue are S-Tier good. Players around the world clasped hands and rejoiced as one to see the whipping boy of Bolt Action rise to take the crown … and then Third Edition was announced. A Monkey’s Paw moment if I ever saw one. Move quickly my Italian Generals – you’ve got until Sept. 2024 to crush your opponents with Fire & Maneuver, free Fanatics and re-rollable Armor Penetration.
One a more serious note, Case Blue does an admirable job of capturing the scale and scope of the Eastern Front. No easy task. Beyond the wild Italian Army Special Rules the other Axis Minor Powers shine with new rules and units. We also have a Soviet Armored Train (including a specific Theater Selector that allows for railway tack to be placed on the table like a WFB Wood Elf player). The Cossacks are an inspired addition and Slovakia gets a full Army List.
The book is let down by some frustrating errors/omissions (anyone know where Stragglers can be taken?) and the formatting once again needs work. But the overall package is strong. Especially for anyone running a Minor Axis power.
7 – Campaign: D-Day: British & Canadian Sectors
Published Jan. 1, 2021
Written by Mark Barber
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 19 |
Like the Australians in Campaign: New Guinea, the Canadians and Inter-Allied Commandos are provided fully-featured Army Lists in British & Canadian Sectors. There are plenty of new Army Special Rules, Theater Selectors, and units to build out a robust and unique force for both the Canadians and Commandos. Of course, players always had the option to run a Canadian or Commando force using the rules in Armies of Great Britain but that was simply running a British force with a different coat of paint on it. This gives players the full Army List.
In addition to the two complete Army Lists, we have Selectors and units for all kinds of forces that fought in this theater. Luftwaffe Field Division, 12th SS Hitlerjugend, Panzer-Lehr and about a half-dozen British Theater Selectors. The scope of new units and army builds is truly impressive. However, like so many Bolt Action books, it’s the format and layout that brings it down. It’s spread out, frustrating, hard to follow and at times, confusing.
There are 13 missions, starting with the fighting just outside the Normandy Beach landings all the way to the closing of the Falaise Pocket. Caen takes center stage with multiple missions covering the battle for the city. There are many Attacker/Defender missions that make good use of defensive structures and switch up the objectives to keep them from getting stale.
For more coverage, give Campaign: D-Day: British & Canadian Sectors Hot Take a read.
6 – Campaign: Sea Lion
Published May 18, 2017
Written by John Lambshead
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 20 |
The first ‘what if’ Campaign book. I am a massive fan of Sea Lion and was thrilled to see Warlord take a risk with this release. The entire premise of this book is out of the ordinary and I feel it really opened up the author to just go wild with the units and Selectors. Honestly, the only reason the units and Selectors didn’t score 5s is because of how bananas they are. Let’s see here, longbows with fire arrows? Obsolete artillery? An improvised mortar with the Dangerous special rule that has a chance to kill its own crew? Roller skates? I mean, I’m all about these wild rules but it’s not for everyone. Ben has had the Shire Patrol on his list of “maybe someday” hobby projects for years.
Sea Lion also delivers on a solid and easy-to-follow layout. Nations – Selectors – Units – Special Rules, that’s how it’s done. The scenarios are also off the rails. There is a mission to kill or capture Winston Churchill! There is another one that takes place entirely on back-country waterways with small-boat boarding actions. Sea Lion includes full rules for playing Patrol games, small combat engagements, and they are excellent. Oh, linked scenarios rules are also included if you wanted to play out the fate of the Home Islands invasion. There is a certain romance to creating ‘last stand’ armies and now you can do that with a British theme.
A lovey produced book that Warlord clearly had fun creating. Again, it’s not for everyone but you cannot deny that Sea Lion delivers.
For more coverage, give the Campaign: Sea Lion Review a read.
5 – Campaign: Battle of France
Published Nov. 29, 2018
Written by Mark Barber
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 21 |
Battle of France is a welcome addition that fills the Early War content gap. Since the publication of Germany Strikes! there had not been another truly Early War book. France is crammed to the gills with Early War content and you love to see it. There are options for a Generic Anti-Tank Platoon that is usable by all Nations, motorbike platoons, and multiple Early War platoons for the UK, France, Germany and Italy. There are new Early War specific units for the UK, France, and Germany as well. And, one of the best parts, the book is formatted in just a perfect way. They really should all be like this.
One of the additional items tucked away in the back of the book are the rules for Company Commander. This is a system to play a series of linked games where you lead a dynamic force that takes losses that you have to replenish along with growing your force through the recruitment of new units. Your units also gain experience from battle to battle and gain new skills/abilities. We played a massive campaign using modified Company Commander rules back in 2019 and it really was the best of times. Company Commander is not theater or period specific. You can use these rules to fight any battles across any operation. Sure, it’s more fun if all the players are building a force that ‘fits’ with the others, but that’s just a bonus.
The only area that France drops the ball is the few areas of typos/confusion. The Dragoons VB Group being the prime example – how many men? how many VB launchers? – but the issues have been mostly corrected in the FAQ & Errata. Battle of France is one of the best Bolt Action books around and it’s a worthy addition to any collection.
4 – Campaign: Stalingrad
Published April 30, 2020
Written by Alexander Smith
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 22 |
Another hefty tome, Campaign: Stalingrad is a book as titanic as the battle itself. Although it’s almost completely focused on Soviet and German forces, there is fantastic variety in the units and Selectors. There are wonderful and unique options for the Soviets including changes to the free Inexp. Rifle Squad that allows you to bring free AT guns, tanks, and other options. This small tweak to the Soviet National rules really gives some character to these Selectors. A personal favorite of mine – The Tractor Factory Reinforced Platoon – includes the options for multiple Tractor Factory T-34s that must be Inexp. and must have a defect. It’s wondrous.
Also included are rules for a campaign that lets you determine the fate of Stalingrad by playing a series of linked multiplayer games. A campaign map is included along with Victory Point trackers, rules for massive multiplayer games, and adjustments to the scenarios depending on who is winning and where the battle is being fought. The new units as a whole are excellent, but the overall score takes a hit due to a couple of useless units (Alarm Unit and the Zaichata Squad) but the rest of the options are great. Especially the new Commissar options.
The scenario special rules fit the scale and brutality of the struggle (fuel shortage, ammo shortage, supply drops) and the Constant Bombardment rules really are the stuff of nightmares. Stalingrad has you covered no matter if you want to play engagements in the summer at the early days of the battle or slug it out in the deep winter as these two hardened armies both refuse to give in. There was a lot of pressure to deliver with this book, as it focuses on one of the most pivotal battles in the entire war, and Warlord did not disappoint.
For more coverage, give Campaign: Stalingrad Hot Take a read.
3 – Campaign: D-Day: US Sector
Published June 24, 2021
Written by Mark Barber & Gareth Walsh
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 22 |
I did not expect to see US Sector to be this high on the list. It must be said, this book is insane. I knew this book was special when it first arrived and it remains so. This right here is one of the best Campaign books ever released. The number of new units, army rules and Selectors is staggering. You get SAS, US Rangers, French Partisans, US Army, US Airborne, Fallschirmjäger, SS and Heer. The Selectors are not your bog-standard lists of units either. Oh no. These are full-featured Selectors with unique, non-standard army rules. You can run a true US Ranger or SAS lists with this book. It’s phenomenal. There are finally rules for a true Airborne Platoon as well. It’s not just a Bolt Action force that features Airborne, it’s a real Airborne list. So many options for players – SAS Jeeps with Behind Enemy Lines, re-captured French Partisan tanks, fully implemented mechanized infantry, Ranger Special Weapons Sections, Schwimmwagen MMG Transports, SAS Medics, Horse Wagon Transports, just incredible.
Honestly, the only issues are the layout and the missions. The layout is frustrating in its order. Why the units are not grouped by nation? The missions are fine, just a bit thin and they lack the flavor you’d hope to expect. It’s all good though! The mediocre missions are really the only bad thing to say about this book. If you want to play a Late-War Northwest European Bolt Action force, you need this book.
For more coverage, give Campaign: D-Day: US Sector Hot Take a read.
2 – Campaign: New Guinea
Published Aug. 24, 2017
Written by Mark Barber
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 22 |
Australia has been “supported” via a free PDF Army List for many years. But with the release of New Guinea, those unofficial days were over – the fighting forces of the ANZAC had arrived. New Guinea provides a complete Army List for Australia that’s chock full of character and unique units. The units and Selectors are not only focused on the battles in the South Pacific. There are rules for using ANZAC forces in North Africa as well. If you are looking to play this characterful army, this is the book for you. The Australian Jungle Tank Platoon is particularly inspired.
The South Pacific Theater has not been well represented in Bolt Action and I’m always excited to see a new release that brings the spotlight to these largely forgotten battles. Australia being added as a fully playable and realized Nation is just a bonus. Plus, now I can use my Chindits as Australians fighting in New Guinea, it’s like I got a whole new army!
The book itself uses the format we all know and love. History and Scenarios upfront, followed by the units and Selectors in their own separate sections with the special rules in the back. No complaints there. The production level is also top tier. The photos are spectacular and the models shown are painted and presented at a level above the standard Warlord fare. Honestly, the production of New Guinea is second only to one.
1 – Campaign: Fortress Budapest
Published March 21, 2019
Written by Bryan Cook
| Units | Selectors | Scenarios | Production | Layout | Total |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 25 |
Simply put, Fortress Budapest is the best Bolt Action supplement ever written. This book contains the best minis, the best terrain, the best photography (New Guinea is a close second) the most unique and interesting Selectors, and the best scenarios. It’s the only book to score fives across all categories to land with a perfect overall score. I remember the first time I flipped through this book and I was immediately struck by how different it felt. It was different in a good way. You can just feel the care and thought that was put into this creation. It’s a clear labor of love. Everything about this book is just one level above everything else that has been produced before or after. Fortress Budapest is the gold standard.
To get a better idea of what I’m talking about, just take a look at this photo included in The Breakout Attempt section:
The photos in other Bolt Action books do not look like this. The detail, the staging, the pop of the paint, it’s all next level. And the whole book is like this! Well, in most of the book, there are some stock Warlord images scattered throughout. This is just one photo that I’ve selected to try and convey the overall level Fortress is at.
The book also shines at a technical level. The Selectors introduce fun new rules for your armies. There is nothing boilerplate here. Do you want to run mechanized Soviet scouts? Do it. How about a combined German and Hungarian defense force? Yep. German heavy armor? No problem. It’s all in here! Plus the major boost to the Hungarians with a ton of new units and some truly unique Soviet and German mechanized infantry options. It’s. All. So. Good.
The scenarios are fantastic. Supply Drop is a stone-cold classic. I’ve used a variation of it in several of the events I’ve run. These scenarios, unlike most books, are actually built to be played by matched opposing forces. Not just historical matchups.
I could go on, I really could. All the props to Mark and Bryan for bringing this project to life. They have set the bar for what a Bolt Action supplement can be and after all these years, everyone else is still playing catch up.
Final Thoughts
Thank you for reading along! I had an absolute blast creating this ranking and doing a short blurb for each book. These supplement books expanded my already vast interest in World War II. I’ve always been an amateur historian, especially for the Word Wars, but these books have sparked a renewed passion for lesser-known battles and forgotten theaters of conflict. Without fail when I get a new Campaign book I’ll have multiple websites open diving deeper into the campaign looking to find more inspiration for my next Bolt Action project.
Even after all these years and all these books, Bolt Action remains my favorite tabletop game. Going back through all the books has only made me love the game even more. It really was an exercise in discovery. I felt like an explorer looking for ancient treasure and I’ve found a few gems tucked away in the pages of these books. So hats off to Warlord and Osprey for providing all this support for their flagship game over the past ten years. I cannot wait to see what Third Edition has in store!
The Ranking
| Rank | Book | Total Score |
| 1 | Campaign: Fortress Budapest | 25 |
| 2 | Campaign: New Guinea | 22 |
| 3 | Campaign: D-Day: US Sector | 22 |
| 5 | Campaign: Stalingrad | 22 |
| 4 | Campaign: Battle of France | 21 |
| 6 | Campaign: Sea Lion | 20 |
| 7 | D-Day: British & Canadian Sectors | 19 |
| 8 | Campaign: Case Blue | 18 |
| 9 | Campaign: Market Garden | 18 |
| 10 | Campaign: Italy: Tough Gut | 17 |
| 11 | Campaign: D-Day: Overlord | 16 |
| 12 | Tank War | 15 |
| 13 | Korea | 15 |
| 14 | Campaign: The Road to Berlin | 15 |
| 15 | Empires in Flames: The Pacific and Far East | 14 |
| 16 | Campaign: Italy: Soft Underbelly | 14 |
| 17 | Campaign: Gigant | 14 |
| 18 | Campaign: The Western Desert | 13 |
| 19 | Germany Strikes! Early War in Europe | 13 |
| 20 | Campaign: Battle of the Bulge | 12 |
| 21 | Campaign: Mariana & Palua Islands | 12 |
| 22 | Battleground Europe: D-Day to Germany | 11 |
| 23 | Duel in the Sun: The African and Italian Campaigns | 11 |
| 24 | Ostfront: Barbarossa to Berlin | 9 |
Chicago Dice 