This past Sunday my buddy Jeff and I got together to play a game of Bolt Action. Both of us were testing out lists ahead of the Bolt Action Four Star Open, hosted by Dice Dojo and run by the best Bolt Action TOs, Chicago Dice. It’s been a few months since either of use have played Bolt Action. My last game was back in June where my Italian Bersaglieri were steamrolled by US Marines piloted by John from Chicago Dice.
As we prepared our lists we both wanted to take advantage of a feature for this tournament: the “Iron Coffin” scoring option.
Unfortunately my Italians don’t have any tanks even approaching 300 points, but luckily the TOs are allowing Minor Axis nations to use the Tiger I.
So naturally after registering for this tournament I went and bought the Tiger I kit from Rubicon, which I built and painted a month ago. This was another great plastic kit from Rubicon.
My list included a number of other tanks as well, with my armored platoon being rounded out by an AB41 in the command role, an M14/41 “Medium” tank, a Semovente da 75/18, and my personal favorite: an L3-33 Tankette (from Empress Miniatures, one of my other favorites for historical minis). My infantry were made up of a few squads of Veteran Bersaglieri and a Light Mortar Squad. The Tiger I would then be on loan to my Italians as “Iron Coffin Support.” My list came in at a cool 10 Order Dice. My goal was: Low Order Dice, Low IQ play.
My buddy Jeff was running his ANZAC army using the new rules from the Armies of Great Britain book that came out over the summer. His list included veteran infantry squads, a Bren Carrier full of SAS Commandos, a Howitzer with a spotter, a Matilda tank, and coming in at a whopping 450pts: the Churchill Crocodile tank, complete with flamethrower and fuel trailer.
He also brought over a bunch of beautiful new 3d printed Normandy terrain, mdf buildings, and some great looking model train scale trees, that he has been gathering for Pillage. We were able to set up a really cool European Theater table. I’m really stoked to get some of the roads and tree templates done soon. The table looked fantastic even without everything fully painted.
We picked a mission from the event packet that was a variation of the classic Fog of War scenario for Bolt Action. Three extra Order Dice were added to the bag, and anytime all three were pulled the turn would end, even if units on the table haven’t activated. I love missions like this and this was a blast.
The game was tense and both sides fought desperately over strategic choke points on the table: namely the area around the church and the road leading across the table towards the bunker. Our goal was to hold onto our designated Command Posts, and also take the 3rd Objective marker by the end of Turn 6.
After 4 solid turns of shooting, my Tiger I finally managed to take down the Churchill, while my AB41 and LV33 successfully held my left flank and then pushed into the British CP. A few failed order tests from the Brits sealed a rare Italian victory.
All in all getting to use my new Tiger was really fun, and we have solid plans for adding to our European table.
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