Bridging the Gap from Bolt Action to Konflikt ’47
By Kreighton Long
Nearly a decade since the release of Warlord Games’ first edition of Konflikt ’47, we are on the precipice of a new edition set to be released this September. Since it’s release in 2016, I must sheepishly admit that I have not taken a stab at this science-fiction, alternate history, cousin of Bolt Action.
I am hopeful that that will change soon as I have become more and more invested in the aesthetics and gaming of a competing science-fiction universe as well as having an advance copy of the new rulebook in front of me. As a veteran Bolt Action player, I have a familiarity with the foundational rules and an abundance of 28mm WWII miniatures and terrain. With this head start, it looks like a fairly simple leap to add Konflikt ’47 to my wargaming repertoire.
Let’s start with the rules themselves. Anyone familiar with Bolt Action’s Third Edition will have little difficulty jumping into a game of Konflict ’47.
The core aspects of the rule set are largely unchanged from Bolt Action and the list of similarities are far longer than the differences — so I’ll limit myself to listing a few differences.
The most pressing differences are the new weapons and units. Konflikt ’47 takes place in an alternate history where the United States’ atomic weapons program resulted in rifts in space and time that allowed scientists to develop new and horrible technologies that enabled the war to continue into the year 1947.
In short order, all the major factions of the war developed their own unique spin on this new Rift technology which gives Konflikt ’47 its unique flavor. New units include the likes of mechanized walkers, genetically enhanced humans, rocket packs, armored suits, robots, and all kinds of sci-fi goodness. With each of these new Rift weapons come new rules which need to interact seamlessly interact with the existing Bolt Action ruleset.
Konflikt ’47 features a new-to-me mechanic called Rift Dice. Rift Dice are used to enhance the special abilities of Rift weapon systems — allowing them to increase their effectiveness. But doing so can come with risks. Overloading the Rift weapon can result in pins on the firer, and in some cases, hits.
Any Konflikt ’47 force worth putting on the table will feature a variety of these Rift weapons so players making the jump from Bolt Action to Konflikt ’47 will need to familiarize themselves with the additional weapon rules. In addition to learning more rules, players will need to pickup a few packs of Rift Dice. Rift Dice packs are currently available from Warlord Games for the same price as their Order Dice packs.
Another notable change is how Close Quarters works. In general, the procedure for Close Quarters remains the same from Bolt Action — with two notable changes. The first is that Infantry units in Ambush can interrupt an opponent that is charging them with a charge of their own by activating their Ambush and changing the Order Die to Run.
This allows charged units to effectively counter-charge up to 6″. The second is that Close Quarters may not be resolved the same activation that the Close Quarters began. Between draws and Heroes and Fearless units, which turn a loss in a round of Close Quarters into a draw, Close Quarters engagements will last longer than Bolt Action players are accustomed to.
If the second round of Close Quarters combat ends in another draw, then the combatants will remain locked in combat while the next Order Die is drawn and played out. After that Order Die is resolved, players will return to the Close Quarters combat and complete up to two more rounds of combat, then repeat as needed.
Incorporating existing collections into Konflict ’47 appears doable. While players will want to paint and field the new, exciting Rift technology armed infantry, artillery, and vehicles, there will still be places for Bolt Action miniatures.
Bolt Action veterans will have a venerable head start over players starting from scratch. While my existing American Airborne, Soviet Scouts, or German Grenadiers will struggle to compete with the awesome firepower and resilience of power armored heavy infantry, awesome Rift weapons, genetically modified humans, and even the undead, they will fill in the ranks of my forces while I gradually add Konflikt ’47 specific models.
Unfortunately, the advanced copy of Konflikt ’47 that I had the privilege to peruse did not include any army lists. Seeing exactly how to incorporate your existing models into the new game will require some more patience.
The incorporation of Rift technology on existing weapon platforms creates simple and affordable adaptations for our existing miniatures collections. Do you already have a platoon of Sherman tanks but want to upgrade them for Konflikt ’47? No worries!
You can pickup a few Sherman Tesla Cannon Turrets and pair them with the hulls of your existing Shermans and you now have a platoon of Rift enhanced tanks for a new game. Same goes for Panzer IVs. The option to purchase Konflict ’47 specific turrets for existing Bolt Action tanks will allow players to quickly and cheaply upgrade their existing kits to be able to perform double-duty for two different rulesets.
Much like existing miniature collections, the terrain we’ve collected to fight over on the table can be repurposed for Konflikt ’47. The recommended size of the gaming table as well as the scale are the same as what veteran Bolt Action players are used to.
This will help get players together and armies on the table sooner once the new rulebook is released. The art found in the new book is full of inspiration for those wishing to create unique and thematic terrain pieces for their tables. I for one look forward to the modeling opportunities that this new ruleset will create for those more talented and creative in the realm of terrain building than I am.
Warlord Games is offering a Konflikt ‘47 starter set that includes a rulebook, a few bits of terrain, and some Konflikt ’47 specific units to get players started. In addition, you can find German and American specific bundles to get you started with these two factions. I anticipate we’ll see bundles for the other major factions soon.
Happy gaming!