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If you’re a fan of Bolt Action, the renowned World War II skirmish wargame, you’re in for a treat with “The Dirty Half Dozen,” the first game released from us at Wargame Explorer Studios. This new game combines the familiar elements you love about Bolt Action with fresh mechanics and settings, creating an engaging and immersive experience.
Here’s why Bolt Action enthusiasts will find “The Dirty Half Dozen” just as compelling.
Familiar World War II Setting
One of the primary reasons Bolt Action has garnered a dedicated following is its meticulous recreation of World War II battles. “The Dirty Half Dozen” shares this setting, allowing players to dive into the same historical period. You can command units like the US Rangers, German Waffen-SS, Soviet Guard, British Gurkhas, and even the French Resistance. This extensive range of factions ensures that players can explore various aspects of World War II, from well-known military units to less conventional forces like the French Resistance.
Intimate Skirmish Scale
Both Bolt Action and “The Dirty Half Dozen” focus on skirmish-scale battles, making them accessible and manageable. In Bolt Action, you control a platoon-sized force, while “The Dirty Half Dozen” narrows it down further to six characters per side. This smaller scale intensifies the action and allows for deeper character development and strategic planning. Each character in “The Dirty Half Dozen” has unique traits, specializations, and potential battle damage, adding layers of depth and personalization that skirmish fans will appreciate.
Engaging Gameplay Mechanics
Order Dice System
Bolt Action’s unique Order Dice system, where players draw dice to determine unit activation, keeps the game unpredictable and dynamic. “The Dirty Half Dozen” adopts a similar mechanic with ten-sided dice, adding a familiar yet novel twist. Each character has a ten-sided die in the activation pool, and players draw dice to see which character activates next. This shared mechanic ensures that Bolt Action players will feel right at home, while the new dice system brings an exciting variation to the table.
Movement and Combat
In Bolt Action, movement and combat are straightforward yet strategic, with players needing to balance advancing, firing, and utilizing cover. “The Dirty Half Dozen” maintains this strategic depth. The game encourages tactical positioning, use of cover, and careful selection of targets. Weapons in “The Dirty Half Dozen” have distinct range stats, making terrain and movement crucial to gameplay. Whether you’re closing in with a submachine gun or picking off enemies from a distance with a sniper rifle, the tactical considerations will feel familiar and engaging.
Rich Character Development
One standout feature of “The Dirty Half Dozen” is its focus on character development. Each character in your squad has a base set of stats—Movement, Aim, Strength, and Objective Secured—that can be modified by specializations, traits, battle damage, and experience. This level of customization is reminiscent of role-playing games, offering a depth of narrative and strategy that adds a new dimension to the skirmish format.
Imagine a German Ostruppen with a Grenadier specialization, a grudge against the British and Americans, and a “For the Fuhrer” morale trait. Or picture a French Resistance fighter with Demolitions expertise, First Strike capability in close combat, and the ability to hide and reappear on the battlefield. This intricate character development will resonate with Bolt Action players who enjoy the tactical depth and personal stories within their games.
Diverse and Immersive Objectives
Bolt Action offers a variety of missions and objectives, and “The Dirty Half Dozen” expands on this concept with unique and engaging primary and secondary objectives. Instead of simply capturing points, you might be tasked with assassinating an officer, rescuing a downed pilot, or sabotaging a bridge. These objectives add narrative depth and strategic complexity, making each game session unique and memorable. The addition of special objectives, like searching for ancient artifacts or rescuing stolen artwork, brings an adventurous twist that will captivate players.
The Bottom Line
“The Dirty Half Dozen” takes the elements that make Bolt Action beloved—its historical setting, strategic gameplay, and skirmish scale—and enhances them with deeper character development and diverse objectives. For Bolt Action fans looking for a fresh yet familiar experience, “The Dirty Half Dozen” offers an exciting new battlefield to explore. Dive into the rich narratives, intricate strategies, and thrilling missions of this new game, and discover why it’s a perfect companion to your Bolt Action collection.
