Box Contents
The Warlord Games German Grenadiers box is a plastic kit containing:
- 30 German Army Infantry
- 25 Rifles/Carbines
- 15 SMGs
- 10 LMGs
- 10 Assault Rifles
- 10 Panzerfausts
- Mix of heads with and without helmets and caps.
- Backpacks, pouches, pistols, grenades, binoculars, canteens, etc.
The List
| Standard Reinforced Platoon | |
|---|---|
| Officer | |
| 2nd Lt (Assault Rifle) – Regular – 50 x1 Buddy (Assault Rifle) – Regular – 10 | 60pts |
| Infantry | |
| Heer Veteran Grenadier Squad – 6 Men – 78 NCO SMG – 3 x2 SMG – 6 x3 Panzerfaust – 15 | 102pts |
| Heer Veteran Grenadier Squad – 6 Men – 78 NCO Assault Rifle – 5 x3 Assault Rifle – 15 x3 Panzerfaust – 15 | 113pts |
| Heer Grenadier Squad – 6 Men – 60 x1 LMG – 20 | 80pts |
| Heer Grenadier Squad – 6 Men – 60 x1 LMG – 20 | 80pts |
| Sniper Team – Veteran – 65 | 65pts |
| Total – 6 Order Dice | 500pts |
Breakdown
- Rifle – 15
- SMG – 3
- AR – 6
- LMG – 2
- Sniper – 1
- Panzerfaust – 6
Notes and Analysis
The objective of this list is two part – 1) use as many of the components from a single box of infantry as possible and 2) make a List that work at a competitive level. Please in mind, this List was written using only the content of a single box of infantry.
One of the best things about Bolt Action is how inexpensive (compared to many other popular One fantastic aspect of Bolt Action is that you can truly get started with a single box of troops. And I don’t mean getting started with some kind of demo-level intro game. No no! This is a full on, 500pts army list. A 500pt game played on a 4×4′ table is a rich and engaging Bolt Action experience. Sure, this list does not include any vehicles but you gotta start somewhere. On to the list!
This Late War list makes use of almost every body included in this kit (28 of 30). The force is built around four squads of Grenadiers. The two Veteran squads should generally push up the board threatening infantry and vehicles alike with a mix of rifles, SMGs, Assault Rifles and Panzerfausts. Being Veterans they will have some staying power at this points level and the presence of assault weapons makes them excellent at close combat as well as shooting. The other two squads should hang back with their LMGs to provide supporting fire and cover objectives. Their LMGs pump out 5 shots a turn at 36″ thanks to the Hitler’s Buzzsaw Army Special Rule.
Supporting them we have a classic 2nd Lt and friend. They can be modeled with whatever weapons you prefer, but this is a great chance to get 10pts worth of Assault Rifles for free. Keep in mind that German 2nd Lts can give a “Snap To!” order to two units per turn, and this can give you a strategic edge. Lastly, the Veteran Sniper Team is great for targeting enemy Flamethrowers, MGs and Mortars.
What’s Next?
The main areas this list is lacking are HE, mobility and armor. Three purchases I would consider as a next step would be:
- Medium Mortar (or even Nebelwerfer!) to provide some long range HE support. Adding a Spotter to the Mortar allows you to keep it hidden behind cover, but watch out for enemy Snipers! The Nebelwerfer will only ever hit on 6s, but there are few weapons with as strong of a psychological effect as multi-launchers with their ability to target multiple units at once.
- A Truck or Half-track would give one or both of the Veteran squads some mobility. Trucks in particular are a cheap Order Die, and when kitted out with a MMG can provide fire support once it has dropped off its cargo.
- Armor Support – Germans have so much armor to choose from it is almost impossible to pick one! Some classic options include the uber-mobile Puma or 222. The crowd favorite infantry killing machine of the Stuh 42, or maybe the versatile Panzer III or IV. Let’s be honest, if you’re playing Germans you’re not going to only buy one vehicle…
– Sam
Chicago Dice 