The Origins of Bolt Action
In 2012, Warlord Games launched Bolt Action, a World War II tabletop wargame designed by Alessio Cavatore and Rick Priestley—the latter being a key figure in the development of Warhammer 40,000 during his time at Games Workshop. Bolt Action quickly gained popularity among historical wargaming enthusiasts, offering a fast-paced yet tactically deep experience that captures the intensity of WWII battles.
The game utilizes 28mm-scale miniatures, with detailed army lists and campaign books that allow players to re-enact famous battles or create their own alternative history scenarios. Bolt Action 2nd Edition, released in 2016, refined mechanics and improved gameplay balance, cementing its place as one of the leading historical wargames on the market.
Warlord Games: The Force Behind Bolt Action
Founded in 2007 by John Stallard (a former Games Workshop veteran), Warlord Games has become a powerhouse in the miniature wargaming industry. Specializing in historical wargames, the company produces a wide array of resin and plastic miniatures for periods ranging from antiquity to modern warfare. Their flagship games include Black Powder (covering Napoleonic-era warfare) and Hail Caesar (focused on ancient battles), but Bolt Action remains their most popular and enduring franchise.
Warlord’s reputation for high-quality miniatures and immersive rule sets has made them a staple for tabletop wargamers worldwide. Their games have been featured in numerous historical wargaming publications and praised for their blend of historical accuracy and engaging gameplay.
Rick Priestley’s Influence on Bolt Action
Rick Priestley, best known for co-creating Warhammer 40K, brought his decades of game design expertise to Bolt Action, ensuring a system that was both accessible to newcomers and rewarding for veteran strategists. His approach to game mechanics—blending random activation with strategic decision-making—helped Bolt Action stand out in the historical wargaming scene.
Priestley’s influence can be seen in the order dice system, where players draw dice from a bag to determine which units activate next, adding an element of unpredictability that mirrors the chaos of real battlefield engagements. This system has since been emulated in other wargames, proving its innovative impact.
Gameplay and Expansions
Bolt Action features a skirmish-level approach, where players command squads of infantry, tanks, and artillery across a dynamic battlefield. The game has a broad selection of playable factions, including:
- United States Army
- Soviet Red Army
- British Commonwealth
- German Wehrmacht & SS
- Imperial Japanese Army
- Smaller nations like France, Finland, Greece, and China
The game has been expanded with numerous campaign books covering iconic battles such as D-Day, Stalingrad, and the Battle of the Bulge. Additionally, themed starter sets allow players to recreate specific WWII theaters, such as Island Assault (Pacific War) and A Gentleman’s War (North Africa).
Beyond World War II: Konflikt '47 and The Korean War
Warlord Games has expanded Bolt Action beyond its historical setting with:
- Konflikt '47 – A Dieselpunk alternate history where WWII continues with mechs, Tesla weapons, and supernatural elements.
- Bolt Action: Korea – Bringing the mechanics of Bolt Action to the Korean War, allowing players to engage in battles from the early Cold War era.
These expansions showcase the flexibility and adaptability of the Bolt Action ruleset, attracting both historical purists and alternative history fans.
The Legacy of Bolt Action
Over the past decade, Bolt Action has solidified its place as a leading historical miniatures game, with an active community of hobbyists, painters, and tournament players. The game’s balance between historical authenticity and engaging mechanics makes it a favorite for both WWII history buffs and tabletop wargamers.
With continuous support from Warlord Games, including new miniatures, updated rules, and campaign expansions, Bolt Action’s legacy looks set to endure for many more years, ensuring that tabletop generals can continue to replay the battles of the Second World War - or rewrite history altogether.
Explore our full range of Bolt Action miniatures at Merlin's Miniatures and bring history to the tabletop!
