Bolt Action is the WWII tabletop wargame where you build, paint, and command 28mm soldiers across historically grounded battles. The rewards are real: a gorgeous army on the table, a deep tactical game, and a passionate global community. The catch is honest: you're assembling and painting miniatures for a few weeks before you roll your first die. Here's exactly what to get first.
By Colin B. · Published June 5, 2026 · Last reviewed June 5, 2026
Bolt Action has a meaningful entry cost: a starter army, the rulebook, paints, and brushes run $155 at minimum. Budget $265 for the complete setup including terrain and order dice. The investment is real, and so is the payoff.
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At a glance
Our top pick in each category
The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category.
Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.
The Army PainterThe Army Painter, Hobby Starter Brush Set, 3 Paint Brushes for Acrylic Paint incl. Drybrush, Small Detail & Standard, Fine Tip Model Brush for Miniature Fantasy Painting
Pick your faction before you buy anything. This is your most important decision and determines every model you'll ever paint. If you're new to WWII history, start with US Army or British Commonwealth: the most opponents at game stores, the most YouTube tutorials, and a well-documented record that makes army-building decisions intuitive.
You need two books, not one. The core rulebook covers how the game works. Your nation's army book covers what units you can field and at what point costs. Most beginners only buy the rulebook first and then get stuck when they can't build a legal army list. Buy both at the same time.
Plan for 15-30 hours of hobby time before your first game. Assembly, priming, and painting 50+ figures takes real time. You can technically play with grey plastic, but most game stores expect at least primed models. Set that expectation before the box arrives.
Your faction choice is the decision that locks in months of painting. Pick a theatre you find historically compelling, not just 'which one is strongest.' US Army and German Wehrmacht have the widest model selection and the most community support. British Commonwealth excels in D-Day scenarios. Soviets play a distinctive infantry-horde style. Starter army boxes are the smart entry: they include 50+ infantry figures, a vehicle, and enough points for a beginner game at a meaningful discount over buying units separately. Don't buy piecemeal at first. You'll end up with half an army that can't play.
Starter Armies — what's the difference?
A few common shapes, each making a different trade.
US Army
Most YouTube tutorials and opponents; great for first-time players.
Playstyle
All-arms, balanced
Difficulty
Beginner-friendly
Model variety
Extensive
Best for New players who want community support and clear historical narrative
Tradeoff Mid-range firepower, not the toughest infantry or heaviest armor
Widest model range; veteran units and special rules reward tactical play.
Playstyle
Elite infantry
Difficulty
Intermediate
Model variety
Widest range
Best for Players interested in Eastern or Western Front scenarios
Tradeoff Complex special rules, harder to learn than US or British forces
British Commonwealth
Strong infantry plus carrier support; ideal for D-Day gaming.
Playstyle
Infantry and transport
Difficulty
Beginner-friendly
Model variety
Good
Best for D-Day and North Africa scenario players
Tradeoff Fewer elite unit options than German forces
Soviet Red Army
Infantry horde playstyle: more models, lower points cost per figure.
Playstyle
Numbers and attrition
Difficulty
Intermediate
Model variety
Good
Best for Players drawn to the Eastern Front who enjoy horde-style armies
Tradeoff Less individually capable units, requires volume to be effective
Best starter
Warlord Games
Bolt Action US Army Infantry Platoon Starter Army
$137.48 as of Jun 22, 2026
★★★★★Our rating
US Army is the most beginner-friendly faction: plenty of opponents at any game store, well-documented history that makes list-building intuitive, and the best plastic kit support in the range. This box gives you a complete 1,000-point force, enough infantry, a vehicle, and tokens to play your first game. The rulebook and army book are sold separately; budget for both.
What we like
Complete 1,000-point force right out of the box
US Army has the most opponents and tutorial resources
Plastic kits are lighter and easier to convert than metal
What to know
Rulebook and army book cost an extra $80-100 -- factor this in
★★★★☆Our rating· Only 5 left in stock - order soon.
Before committing to a full army, a single infantry platoon box at around $35 lets you test assembly and painting without pressure. Thirty plastic figures teach you everything you need to know about the hobby side. If you're hooked, you'll know exactly which army you want. If you're not, you've lost less than $50.
What we like
~$35 trial run before committing to a full $75-100 starter army
30 plastic figures to practice assembly and basing techniques
Enough models to understand the painting time commitment
What to know
Not a playable force on its own -- this is practice, not a game kit
No vehicle included; competitive lists require at least one
The natural paired army: buy this for your opponent or for your second faction once you're hooked. Includes infantry, a Panzer IV, a Sdkfz 251 half-track, mortar, and a machine gun team -- a 1,000-point German force ready for learning games. Buying both the US and German starter armies means you and a friend can play immediately with no borrowing needed.
What we like
Complete 1,000-point German force -- pairs directly with the US starter
Includes armor and infantry for a well-rounded learning army
German forces have the widest model selection in the game
What to know
Same scale as the US starter -- not a larger or more advanced set
German special rules have more complexity than US Army
You need two books to play a legal game of Bolt Action: the core rulebook (mechanics, scenarios, and general army construction) and the army book for your chosen nation (every unit available to that force, with point costs and special rules). Buy your army book at the same time as the core rules. You'll need both within your first session of list-building. Campaign supplements are genuinely fun reading but not required until you want to recreate specific historical scenarios.
Best starter
Warlord Games
Bolt Action 3rd Edition Rulebook
$42.50 as of Jun 22, 2026
★★★★★Our rating· In Stock
This is the one book every Bolt Action player owns. The 3rd edition cleaned up the most-argued edge cases from prior editions: order dice mechanics, vehicle rules, artillery spotting, and close combat are all sharper. Full-color hardback with historical context and 50+ scenarios. You cannot run a legal game without it.
What we like
Complete rules for all units, vehicles, aircraft, and scenarios
3rd edition resolves the most-argued edge cases from prior editions
Full-color hardback with historical context throughout
What to know
Nation-specific unit lists require a separate army book (~$30 more)
At ~$45, pricier than many rulebooks but covers the whole system
The army book for your chosen nation is your second essential purchase. Every unit available to the US Army, Rangers, airborne, tank destroyers, artillery, with point costs and special rules. Buy the one that matches your army. German, British, Soviet, and other faction books follow the same format.
What we like
Complete US Army unit roster with point costs for legal list-building
National special rules that make US forces play distinctively
Full-color historical reference for uniform and vehicle painting
What to know
Only useful if playing US Army -- other factions need their own book
This is a rules reference, not a strategy or painting guide
Campaign supplements add historical scenarios with special rules and force restrictions that make the game feel genuinely different. Overlord covers the Normandy landings with amphibious assault rules, bocage terrain mechanics, and faction-specific lists. Not required at the start, but if the D-Day theatre is why you got into WWII gaming, this is the book that makes it matter.
WWII armies are mostly browns, greens, and grays, which is good news for beginners. The palette is historically constrained, color-matching errors read as artistic interpretation, and most tutorials are free on YouTube. You need three things: primer (spray or brush-on, applied before any paint), 8-12 base colors for your faction's uniform and equipment, and a wash -- a thin dark ink that pools in crevices and makes every model look better in 30 seconds. Army Painter's faction-specific paint sets do the color selection for you.
Best starter
Army Painter
Historical: WWII American Paint Set Combo (20 paints)
$79.99 as of Jun 22, 2026
★★★★★Our rating· In Stock
Army Painter pre-selected the exact colors for US Army uniforms, webbing, helmets, and equipment. No color theory required. Twenty Warpaints Fanatic bottles covering everything from Olive Drab vehicle paint to flesh tones, plus a brush included. For German or other factions, Army Painter makes equivalent historical sets. Search your faction's name.
What we like
Pre-matched colors for US Army uniforms -- no color-hunting needed
Includes wash for instant depth without advanced techniques
Dropper bottles mix and store better than pot-lid bottles
What to know
Primer not included -- buy spray primer separately before you start
Faction-specific -- German or Soviet players need a different set
WWII American Armour & Infantry Model Color Set (6 colors)
$20.50 as of Jun 22, 2026
★★★★☆Our rating· In Stock
Vallejo is the professional miniature painter's water-based paint of choice. Better pigment density than Army Painter, slightly thinner consistency that layers beautifully, and dropper bottles with almost zero waste. A fraction pricier per bottle but the quality shows on the finished model. Worth it if you've decided you're in for the long haul.
What we like
Better pigment density than most budget paint brands
Dropper bottles allow precise consistency -- no dried-out paint rims
Vallejo WWII palettes are well-documented in community tutorials
What to know
Slightly more expensive per bottle than Army Painter
Thinner consistency needs a light touch -- beginners may over-thin
A wash is the single technique that makes the biggest difference for beginner painters. Strong Tone is a dark brown ink you brush over the whole model. It flows into crevices, darkens recesses, and creates shading that would take an intermediate painter an hour of manual work. Paint flat colors, apply wash, let dry: you have a finished-looking model in two steps.
What we like
Most impactful single technique for beginner painters -- instant depth
Strong Tone works across all WWII uniform colors and earth tones
Small bottle goes far -- 18ml covers 30-40 infantry models
What to know
Darkens colors significantly -- don't apply over metallics or light skin
One wash alone isn't enough -- you still need base coat colors
Most beginner painters either buy a 30-brush set they'll never use or cheap brushes that fray after a week. Start with three sizes: a medium round (size 2) for base-coating large areas, a small round (size 1 or 0) for layering, and a detail brush (size 00) for eyes, insignia, and belt buckles. A quality brush holds its point longer, which means fewer mistakes and less frustration. Replace the small round when it stops holding a point; that's the one that determines most of your painting quality.
Best starter
The Army Painter
Hobby Starter Brush Set, 3 Paint Brushes for Acrylic Paint incl. Drybrush, Small Detail & Standard, Fine Tip Model Brush for Miniature Fantasy Painting
$21.59 as of Jun 22, 2026
★★★★★Our rating· In Stock
Three brushes designed specifically for miniature painting scale: a base brush, a detail brush, and a large base brush. Better than generic artist brushes out of the box, affordable enough that you won't feel bad replacing them when they fray. The set covers every task you'll encounter in your first six months.
What we like
Sized correctly for 28mm scale -- not too big, not too small
Affordable enough to replace without guilt when they fray
Natural hair holds a point better than most budget synthetics
What to know
Natural hair absorbs paint faster than synthetics -- rinse often
Starter brushes last 3-6 months before the tip stops holding a point
If you're not sure you'll stick with the hobby, a generic synthetic round brush set keeps the risk down. Quality is uneven -- expect to throw out a few and keep the ones that hold a point -- but the useful brushes are good enough for base coating. Total cost under $12. Upgrade to Army Painter or Winsor and Newton once you know you're in for the long run.
What we like
Under $12 for a variety of sizes to explore what works for you
Good enough for base coating and washing -- the two most-used steps
What to know
Quality highly variable -- expect some to be unusable out of the box
Won't hold a point as long as natural hair brushes
The professional standard for miniature painting. Series 7 brushes hold a point through hundreds of sessions, snap back after every rinse, and apply paint with precision cheaper brushes can't match. A single Size 1 outlasts three Army Painter brushes and costs less over six months. Buy one when your starter detail brush starts fraying.
What we like
Holds a point longer than any other brush in its category
Single brush outlasts multiple cheaper rounds over 6 months
Professional standard used by competition miniature painters
What to know
~$15 per brush -- stings until you see how long it lasts
Don't use for drybrushing -- destroys the natural hair bristles
Bolt Action is played on a 4x6 foot table with 30-40% terrain coverage -- buildings, hedgerows, walls, woods, and rubble filling roughly one-third of the battlefield. Too little terrain and gunfire dominates, making infantry nearly useless; the right amount creates tactical decisions every turn. You need two things to start: a gaming mat (the printed surface that makes any table look like a battlefield) and a terrain kit with at least two buildings and some scatter pieces. MDF laser-cut kits are the beginner-friendly option -- they fold flat for storage and paint quickly.
Best starter
Frontline Gaming
FLG Mats Bocage 6'x4' Neoprene Wargaming Mat
$$$
★★★★★Our rating
A good gaming mat is the single visual upgrade that most transforms your game table. FLG mats are neoprene-backed -- they don't slide, don't crease, and roll up for storage. The Bocage pattern with its hedgerow-covered fields is purpose-built for Normandy and Western Front Bolt Action games. Lay it over any 6x4 table and the game immediately looks the part.
What we like
Neoprene backing prevents sliding and creasing during play
6x4 feet covers the full standard Bolt Action table size
Bocage hedgerow pattern is perfect for Normandy campaign scenarios
What to know
Heavy -- 4-6 lbs rolled up, not the lightest storage solution
One mat covers one theatre -- desert/snow mats sold separately
Three ruined farmhouse buildings provide cover across the battlefield and immediately transform a bare table into a European village firefight. Warlord's plastic ruins are pre-textured and require only a primer and drybrush to look convincing. Three buildings is enough for a playable skirmish table and the fastest route from nothing to actual wargame scenery.
What we like
Three buildings provide enough cover for a playable skirmish table
Plastic construction lighter and less fragile than resin terrain
Primer and drybrush only -- fastest route to finished-looking scenery
What to know
Three buildings covers only part of a full 4x6 game table
Assembly required -- thin plastic parts need care and plastic glue
Village Bundle Terrain Scenery for 28mm Miniatures
$39.99 as of Jun 22, 2026
★★★★☆Our rating· In Stock
A full village terrain set gives you enough pieces for a properly balanced 4x6 battlefield: multiple buildings, walls, and scatter elements all scaled for 28mm miniatures. EnderToys' pre-painted 3D-printed resin buildings require minimal work before hitting the table -- prime, drybrush, done. This is what a well-set-up Bolt Action village looks like.
What we like
Enough pieces for a fully balanced 4x6 Bolt Action table
Pre-finished 3D prints need minimal work before hitting the table
28mm scale accurate for Bolt Action standard figure scale
What to know
3D-printed resin rather than traditional MDF -- different look and feel
Less customizable than raw MDF kits you prime and paint yourself
Bolt Action uses a distinctive activation system: one Order Die per unit goes into a bag, and players alternate drawing them blind. This differs from most wargames and requires dedicated dice -- one per unit, in your faction's color, distinct from the opponent's color. Each player needs 10-15 order dice. Beyond dice, you need a measuring tape (12 inches minimum), a few 3-inch and 5-inch blast templates, and pin markers to track unit activations. All of this runs under $30 combined.
Best starter
Warlord Games
Bolt Action Order Dice (Pack of 12, Green)
$24.65 as of Jun 22, 2026
★★★★★Our rating· Only 11 left in stock - order soon.
The official Bolt Action order dice are D6s with faction symbols on the 1-face. Each die represents one unit; when drawn from the bag, you declare an order (Advance, Fire, Ambush, etc.) and act. You need one per unit -- most 1,000-point forces run 8-12 units. Grab two contrasting colors at the start so you and your opponent each have a set.
What we like
Official dice with faction insignia -- work exactly as the rules require
12 per pack covers a standard 1,000-point force completely
Available in multiple colors to distinguish your dice from opponent's
What to know
Need two sets if playing solo or teaching a new opponent who has none
Distinct color matters -- plain D6s work but feel less satisfying
Blast templates are required for artillery, mortars, and aircraft -- attacks that hit an area rather than a single model. Litko's acrylic templates are durable, clearly marked, and exactly the right sizes per the rules. The base set covers 3-inch small blast and 5-inch large blast, which handles 90% of Bolt Action scenarios.
What we like
Durable acrylic -- won't bend or scratch like paper templates
Exactly the 3-inch and 5-inch sizes required by Bolt Action rules
Clear acrylic lets you see the models underneath the template
What to know
Not critical until you add artillery or mortars to your list
Paper templates from the rulebook work fine until you play regularly
Most people get overwhelmed before their first game. Here's what actually happens in your first month, from opening the box to rolling dice across a painted table.
Bolt Action has a reputation for being intimidating. The reputation is partly earned: before you play your first game, you’ll assemble 50+ miniature soldiers, prime and paint them, build terrain, and read a 300-page rulebook. That’s a real commitment. Most people who stick with it say it’s the most rewarding hobby they’ve ever picked up. Most people who quit say they underestimated how much work the first month actually is.
This is what that first month actually looks like, week by week, with the things that matter and the things you’ll be tempted to worry about but shouldn’t.
Week 1: Open the box and don’t panic
Your starter army arrives in a box full of grey plastic sprues. There are a lot of pieces. This is normal.
The first thing to do is not assemble everything at once. Pick one infantry squad (usually 10 figures) and build just that. Learning how the kit goes together on 10 models is far better than committing to 50 before you understand how the arms attach, where the seams are, and what angle the heads should face.
You’ll need a few tools before you start: plastic clippers (often called sprue cutters), a craft knife or scalpel, and plastic model glue (not super glue for plastic kits). These are sold as a set at most hobby stores for under $20. Don’t skip the clippers — pulling pieces off the sprue by hand leaves ugly stress marks.
Assembly basics that will save you frustration:
Clip close but not flush. Leave a tiny stub, then cut that off separately. One confident cut close to the part is better than one rough cut that nicks the model.
Dry-fit before gluing. Assemble the whole figure without glue first to understand how it goes together, then glue from the feet up.
Remove mold lines. Run your craft knife lightly along the seam where the mold halves met. This takes five extra seconds per piece and makes the finished model look dramatically cleaner.
By the end of week one, you want one assembled squad sitting on your desk, primed and ready to paint.
Here is the truth about painting miniatures that nobody tells beginners: your first figures will look rough, and that is completely fine. Every experienced miniature painter has a shameful first squad somewhere in a box. The goal of week two is not to paint a beautiful squad. The goal is to finish a squad.
A basic infantry figure for Bolt Action takes four steps:
Base coat the uniform. One flat color covering the cloth. For US Army, that’s Olive Drab. For Wehrmacht, Field Grey. Apply it thinly — two thin coats beats one thick one.
Base coat the equipment. Helmet, webbing, pack, and rifle stock in their relevant colors. This is 5-6 decisions per figure and each one is just: pick a color, paint it.
Apply a wash. Brush a thin dark wash (Army Painter Strong Tone works well) over the whole figure. It flows into the crevices and immediately makes everything look more detailed. Let it dry completely before the next step.
Drybrush highlights. Load a stiff old brush with paint and wipe most of it off on paper towel. Drag it lightly across raised surfaces — cloth folds, helmet ridges, boot toes. This catches edges and gives the figure a sense of light.
That’s it. Eyes and insignia come later, after you’ve painted 50 figures and want to add refinement. For week two, four steps and done.
The Bolt Action rulebook is 300 pages. You do not need to read all of it before your first game. The core rules that govern 80% of a beginner game cover about 60 pages:
Chapter 1-3: How orders work, the order dice system, and how units activate. This is the heart of the game and is genuinely different from most wargames. Read this carefully.
Chapter 5-6: Artillery and vehicles. Skim this. Don’t try to run mortars or tanks in your first game — the rules are fine once you understand infantry, but adding vehicle rules to an already-learning experience slows things down too much.
The order dice system is what makes Bolt Action distinctive. Each unit has one die in a bag. Players alternate drawing dice — when your die comes out, you choose and order and activate that unit. When the opponent’s die comes out, they do the same. Because you don’t know the order units will activate in, positioning and reaction orders (which let you fire in response to enemy movement) become critical decisions. It’s quick to learn in play and nearly impossible to fully grasp from text alone.
The fastest way to learn the rules is to play a demo game. Most Local Game Stores have regular Bolt Action nights where experienced players teach newcomers. Go even if you’re still mid-painting. Most clubs actively want to grow the game.
Week 4: Your first game
Your army doesn’t have to be fully painted to play your first game. If you’ve finished two or three squads and a basic vehicle, you have enough to play a 1,000-point learning game. Explain to your opponent (or your LGS host) that you’re learning, and they will walk you through the turns.
What to expect:
The first turn will be slow. You’ll look up every rule. This is normal. By turn three, you’ll stop looking things up for infantry actions.
You will make illegal moves. The kitchen line equivalent in Bolt Action is forgetting that units that take a Casualty order (they’ve been pinned enough) can only remove a pin marker and do nothing else. It’ll happen. Note it and move on.
You will be surprised by the order dice. The bag randomizes activation and it feels chaotic the first time. By game two, you’ll start planning for it.
After your first game, you’ll have a list of questions. Write them down, search r/boltaction, or bring them to your next LGS visit. The Bolt Action community is genuinely good at teaching new players.
By the end of your first month, you have a painted (or at least primed) force, you’ve played one or two games, and you understand how the order dice and infantry rules work. That’s the hard part done.
Month two is when the hobby opens up. You start thinking about terrain, about adding specialists (a sniper team, a mortar section, a tank), about the list-building decisions that distinguish good players from great ones.
A few things that will accelerate your second month:
Find a regular opponent. Two players at roughly the same level playing once a week improve faster than anyone playing occasional pickup games.
Paint your second squad better than your first. You’ll see the difference. Each squad takes less time and looks more refined. This is the satisfying part of the miniature painting learning curve.
Read the scenario section of the rulebook. Bolt Action’s scenarios (Hold Until Relieved, Top Secret, Point Defence) change how the game plays dramatically. Scenario variety is what keeps the game interesting past the first ten games.
Save your money
What you don't need yet
Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play
better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.
Resin miniature armies — Resin models are more detailed but more expensive and more fragile to assemble. Plastic is the right medium for your first army.
An airbrush setup — Airbrushing makes base-coating faster, but it's a $150+ investment with its own learning curve. Hand-brushing your first army teaches you more.
A second faction army — Finish and play with your first army before buying a second. Collecting unpainted armies is a real hobby trap with Bolt Action.
Campaign supplements — Theater books are genuinely fun but only matter after you've played the core game 10+ times. Read the core rules first.
A 3D printer for terrain — Printing terrain looks great on YouTube but takes significant time to tune. One MDF terrain kit is faster and gets you playing sooner.
First week
Your first seven days
A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.
Order your starter army and rulebook together. They arrive at the same time and you can start reading while the glue dries. · Buy
Assemble your first infantry squad. Don't build the entire army at once -- start with one 10-man squad and learn the kit before committing to 50 figures. · Action
Prime your assembled models. Spray primer applied in two light coats is faster and more even than brush-on primer for infantry. · Action
Read Parts 1-3 of the rulebook: core mechanics, army building, and infantry rules. You don't need vehicle or aircraft rules yet. · Learn
Watch one Bolt Action battle report. Seeing the order dice system in action is worth more than an hour of reading about it. · Learn
Plan on $155-265 for everything you need to play your first game: a starter army (~$75-90), core rulebook (~$45), army book (~$30), paints (~$35), and brushes (~$20). Terrain adds another $60-80. This is a real financial commitment and it pays off over years of play.
Do I have to paint my miniatures before playing?
Technically no -- most gaming clubs allow unpainted or grey plastic models among friends. In practice, many clubs ask for at least primed models, and tournaments require fully painted armies. More importantly, playing with a painted army is genuinely more satisfying. Budget 3-6 months to paint your starter force before expecting regular club games.
How long does it take to get to my first game?
Most players take 4-8 weeks from purchasing their starter army to playing their first game. Assembly takes 5-10 hours for a 1,000-point force; painting takes 20-40 hours depending on your target quality. Plan for a month of hobby time before rolling dice.
Is Bolt Action hard to learn compared to other wargames?
The core mechanics are simple: roll to hit, roll to wound, roll a save. What takes time is learning the special rules for specific units and the tactical depth of the order dice system. Most players feel comfortable with the rules after 3-4 games. The hobby side (assembly and painting) has a longer learning curve than the game itself.
Do I need an opponent, or can I play solo?
Bolt Action is designed for two players. Solo rules exist but are unofficial. Your best option is a Local Game Store -- Bolt Action has a passionate community that actively recruits new players, and most stores will pair you with a more experienced opponent who can teach the game in real time.
Which nation should I start with as a complete beginner?
US Army or British Commonwealth. Both have extensive tutorial resources, clear historical narratives, and plenty of opponents at game stores. German Wehrmacht is the most popular faction overall (widest model range) but has more complex special rules -- it's a better second army than a first.
Warlord Games — The publisher of Bolt Action. Official rules, army lists, and the full model range. Their Getting Started section is the most direct path to building your first force.
Bolt Action Community Facebook Group — The largest Bolt Action community group. Army list feedback, painting advice, and battle report sharing. Welcoming to new players.
r/boltaction — Active subreddit with list advice, modeling questions, and community painting. Search before posting -- most beginner questions have been answered.
Tabletop Minions (YouTube) — Excellent hobby channel covering painting techniques for miniature wargamers. Not Bolt Action-specific but the painting guides apply directly.
Beasts of War / OnTableTop (YouTube) — Regular Bolt Action battle reports and tutorials. Good for seeing the order dice system in action before your first game.
Bolt Action Podcast — The leading Bolt Action-specific podcast. Tactics, tournament coverage, and painting tips. Episode archives go back years and cover most beginner questions.
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Our top pickWarlord Games Bolt Action US Army Infantry Platoon Starter Army