Monday 30 March 2020

Bolt Action - Tiger Hunt!



In these dread times of social isolation, I guess solo war-gaming is no longer the pastime that dare not speak its name - in fact, rather than an admission of having no friends, its practically a social responsibility!



With a random drawing of activation dice, Bolt Action rather lends itself to solo play without any modifications - you just play each side's dice as best you can one after the other.


To cheer myself up I set up a quick scenario, set in my favourite epoch and with some of my favourite AFV's - Tigers and T34s! 



Somewhere out East, in spring or summer '44. Two Tigers are staying behind to delay the Soviet advance, followed up by six T34-85s, who by this stage of the war have 'regular' crews. The defending Germans get to pick the table edge they want to defend, and can deploy up to 2' in.



The attacking Soviets deploy a foot in from the other edge, and have to KO 1 Tiger for a draw, or inflict any further damage on the surviving Tiger to win. Simples!


Both Tigers set themselves up in woods, at opposite ends of the table.


The 2 T34 platoons pretty much set up opposite them, hoping to maximise the cover from the woods and village to get close.


On the northern flank the T34s advance cautiously....



hoping to take up covered positions in the woods and village...



But the Tiger is watching and shooting...fairly ineffectively as it goes...


On the southern flank 2 of the T34s advance through the deep woods, whilst one is sent to dash in the open, hoping to reach the Tiger's open flank...


Which tactic pays off handsomely - rather than wait for a side shot, the T-34 opened up at point blank range with a KO penetration!


Which means that platoon can race across the table to join in the fight against the sole remaining Tiger...



Which has been trading shots with the platoon hiding in the woods and village - misses on the T34s, and non-penetrating hits on the Tiger - although his turret is jammed - fortunately on the right bearing! 


Finally a Soviet hit converts to a plus 6 penetration brewing up the last Tiger...


A fast and enjoyable game, but I was surprised the Tigers didn't manage to KO a couple of T34s! That's the benefit of solo-play - for sure I'd have been playing the Tigers in a social game!

6 comments:

  1. A lovely simple, good looking, straight forward game - an enjoyable read thanks. Your models are excellent.

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  2. Ditto what Norm said - an object lesson in the old adage "less is more" - a very simple game and scenario and it seems to have produced an entertaining solo game for you!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks mate! Yes it was fun and a welcome distraction!
      Take care!

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  3. Goes to show that you can have an awesome looking game, with just a few units ( beautifully painted) and some well placed terrain pieces! Great report. Thanks for posting.

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