In early 2021 I started a new project – The Bolt Action Beginner’s Guide. The goal was to create a resource that new Bolt Action players could reference at the start of their Bolt Action hobby journey. The original guide was only going to contain army lists based on the Warlord Games Starter Armies. For that original idea, the project grew into what it is now. A fully realized, one-stop-shop for new and existing Bolt Action players containing:

• Warlord Games Starter Army Box Breakdowns
• Bolt Action Community FAQs
• The Wide World of World War II Miniatures
• Anatomy of an Army List

During the course of 2021, we have published 26 individual army lists coving six nations and 15 Starter Army boxes. As of writing, there are only three Starter Armies we have not written lists for – US Airborne, British 8th Army and British Army (Old). There are few other Warlord bundles/collections for some of the minor powers but those remain low priority.

Nation	Army List Count
Germany	12
Italy	1
Japan	2
Soviet Union	2
UK/Commonwealth	3
United States	6

The Bolt Action Community FAQs are a running collection of common questions that we’ve seen at the table and ones that popup on the Bolt Action subreddit. The questions cover a range of topics from specific units to Orders, HE v. AT, vehicles and basing. I try to keep the FAQs as updated as possible, but I’m sure there are a few that have slipped by.

We all know and love our Warlord Games products, but there is much, much more available. The Wide World of World War II Miniatures is an attempt to list as many of the other 28mm WWII minis companies out there. Warlord certainly has the majority of market share, but one of the best parts about historical gaming is how many options we have when it comes to models. It’s been a true joy to see many of these companies grow as Bolt Action has expanded. Rubicon Models was just starting out a few years back and now they have the best range of 28mm plastic vehicles out there.

And finally, we created the Anatomy of an Army List. This is the most beginner focused section and offers further explanation of Bolt Action basics – specifically, the force organization and platoon structure. Each unit type is explained in detail and we breakdown each units role in the army list.

What’s Next?

Beyond the handful of lists for missing Starter Army Boxes, I’m not sure what the next steps are. I’ll continue to keep the Community FAQs and list of miniatures company as up to date as possible but the majority of the work has been completed. Well, until Third Edition drops …

Is there something we missed? Other resources you’d like to see? A specific army list request? Let us know! Leave a comment, send an emal – whatever you’d prefer.