Starter Sets & Armies#36 of 51 on the site

Warlord Games Bolt Action Starter Set

by Warlord Games

4.5
ExcellentOverall score 4.5 / 5 · site average 4.5

The Warlord Games Bolt Action Starter Set is an excellent entry point for newcomers to WWII tabletop wargaming and miniature painting.

  • Scale28mm
  • Miniature MaterialPlastic (polystyrene)
  • Factions IncludedBritish & German Forces
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Overview

The Warlord Games Bolt Action Starter Set is the gateway into one of the most popular World War Two tabletop wargames on the market, giving newcomers everything they need to fight their first battles without hunting down separate boxes of miniatures, rules, and dice. Inside the box you'll find plastic multi-part 28mm infantry from two historically opposed forces, typically drawn from the era's major combatants, allowing players to immediately set up a small skirmish across a tabletop battlefield. The models are sculpted with the same crisp detail and dynamic posing that Warlord Games is known for, featuring accurate webbing, weapons, and uniform details that reward careful assembly and painting while still being forgiving enough for a first-time hobbyist to tackle with confidence.

Beyond the miniatures themselves, the set includes the core Bolt Action rulebook, which lays out the order dice activation system that makes the game famous for its tense, unpredictable turn sequences. This rulebook doubles as a painting and modelling primer of sorts, since it's filled with photographs of beautifully finished armies that serve as inspiration and reference for how uniforms, camouflage patterns, and equipment should look once painted. Also bundled in are the specialty dice, tape measures, and unit cards needed to actually play a scenario straight out of the box, meaning there's no need to source rulers or six-sided dice substitutes before your first game night. The packaging is designed to transition smoothly from purchase to paint desk to tabletop, with clear sprue layouts that make it easy to separate infantry squads for individual painting projects.

For anyone easing into the miniature painting and wargaming hobby, this starter set functions as both an instructional tool and a genuine expansion-ready foundation, since the plastic infantry are fully compatible with the wider range of Bolt Action tanks, artillery, and reinforcement packs sold separately by Warlord Games. Painters can practice basecoating, layering, and washing techniques on uniform fabric and metal weapon parts before moving onto more complex vehicle kits later, while gamers get a taste of squad-level tactics, suppression mechanics, and the order dice system that keeps every turn feeling alive with risk. Whether the goal is building a themed World War Two army collection or simply learning the fundamentals of historical miniature gaming, the Bolt Action Starter Set remains a well-rounded, self-contained entry point that reflects Warlord Games' reputation for quality plastic sculpts and accessible rules design.

Key features

  1. 01Includes two full plastic infantry squads (British and German, 2nd Edition boxed set)
  2. 02Complete Bolt Action rulebook with core WWII tabletop rules
  3. 03Dice, tape measure, and order dice included for gameplay
  4. 04Plastic miniatures compatible with standard 28mm wargaming scale
  5. 05Scenario and army-building guidance for new players

Specifications

Scale28mm
Miniature MaterialPlastic (polystyrene)
Factions IncludedBritish & German Forces
EditionBolt Action 2nd Edition
ComponentsMiniatures, Rulebook, Dice, Tape Measure

Pros & cons

What we liked

  • Great value bundle for starting a WWII miniatures army
  • High-quality plastic sculpts with good tactical detail
  • Rulebook is beginner-friendly with clear explanations
  • Miniatures are easy to assemble and paint
  • Compatible with wider Bolt Action range for expansion

What could be better

  • Only two factions included, limiting immediate faction choice
  • Some players report minor flash/mold lines on models
  • Terrain and basing materials not included
  • Rulebook depth may require additional reading for competitive play

Hobbyist notes

Feedback from painters and players who use it.

Perfect starter kit

Got this as my first wargaming set and it exceeded expectations. The rulebook is clear and the miniatures assembled easily with minimal cleanup.

Marcus T. ·

Great value but some flash on models

Really happy with the amount of content for the price. A few models had noticeable mold lines that needed extra trimming before painting.

Sarah W. ·

Ideal for beginners

I paint miniatures as a hobby and picked this up to try wargaming. The sculpts are crisp and fun to paint, and the rules were easy to pick up solo.

DaveThePainter ·

Solid introduction to Bolt Action

My local club recommended this to get started. It's a bit basic for competitive play but perfect for learning the fundamentals.

Liam H. ·
4.5

Our verdict

Excellent for starting a new army or game

The Warlord Games Bolt Action Starter Set is an excellent entry point for newcomers to WWII tabletop wargaming and miniature painting. It offers solid plastic miniatures, a comprehensive rulebook, and all the essential tools needed to start playing right away. While the faction selection is limited to British and German forces, the quality and value make it a strong foundation to build upon with the broader Bolt Action range.

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Warlord Games Bolt Action Starter Set4.5/5 · Starter Sets & ArmiesCheck price