June 2024 - Warlord Games, Mystery Boxes
Looking at my play style on the games I have played at MFA HQ, I do see myself as a risk taker and gambler. That is why I like the Warlord Games mystery boxes.
I have purchased one each time they have been released in the hope of adding to my existing games and possibly guiding me into new games.
The latest Mystery Box release included a £200 box of solely World War 2 content.
My box arrived today, and rather than produce a video of us pulling items out of the box, we thought it might be an idea to start my series of blog articles discussing the contents.
So, for starters, the box measured 18inches by 12 inches and 12 inches deep.
Upon opening the box, it is clear that it is packed full of exciting stuff.
As there is an item for Cruel Seas on top, let’s start there.
I currently have the Starter set with extra MTBs and E boats. Along with some US PT boats.
The book is the Close Quarters expansion rules book and there was also a US PT Boat Flotilla box. I had been planning to get the expansion book as I had bought the HMS Campeldown model at the Warlord Open Day last year. The extra ships will also be used in my fleet games.
This is a good start.
Packaged with the Cruel Seas book was The Wing Commander compendium book for Blood Red Skies. I have the Airfix Spitfire vs ME109 starter set, but not yet played any games. I will be looking to get the smaller scale starter set at some stage. Digging down into the box, there was a Squadron box of 6 Yakolev Yak-1B aircraft. The Gods of fate are seemingly pointing me towards fielding Soviets in this and other games. More on that later.
The next grouping of items, I would call accessories. This includes some paints, brushes, order dice and a tape measure. There was also some scenery in the form of a set of shell hole/craters, stone walls, and a D Day Anti-tank bunker. The bunker and craters are some of the other items on my wish list that never seem to get to the top of the list. Will get these painted up and added to the terrain selections.
Now onto the really exciting stuff, the Bolt Action kits. I already have an extensive mix of US forces, which I have been expanding for Achtung Panzer.
The first kit out is an M10 Wolverine. I am currently building one I purchased from Mrs K.
My WIP M10 Wolverine:
Alongside this was an M3 A1 halftrack. This will go alongside those I already have table ready.
The next box was also for the US. This was a box of US Army Weapons Teams in the new ‘Warlord Resin.’ The set contains a Sniper Team, Bazooka Team and Flame Team which are in the Winter Uniforms (along with three order dice).
As I still have unbuilt US Paratroopers, I am thinking of doing a winter themed Bastogne force. Painting the M10 and M3 in winter colours alongside the poorly equipped paras should work well.
Not yet seen on the channel, but hopefully appearing on the new Desert Board I have DAK and Italian forces for the North Africa campaign. This will be complimented by the box of 30 Italian Army/Blackshirts.
The next box of figures brings me back to the Soviets. I recently picked up a plastic IS2 kit and a Tank War platoon of T34/85s from my local game shop. These each came with sprues to make a small section of Soviet Infantry. The Mystery Box include a box of Soviet Infantry (40 figures).
I really think that I am destined to add a Soviet Force to my Bolt Action collection. Watch this space!
The last two loose sprues were interesting. One is the Farmyard Animal sprue (Order Code E1E10, yes! seriously). Animals do add some life and character to the game table and so are always useful.
The other sprue is the NEW Ranger Sprue.
I have some of the older plastic, and metal Rangers in my force. The older kits had the figure sprue and separate weapon sprue. Gluing the separate arms and weapons on each figure can be fiddly and frustrating. The new sprue has the arms and weapons moulded together.
The sprue includes multiple choices of head, including the characters from Saving Private Ryan (they previously were available in metal).
The kit includes bazooka, BAR, Garand rifles, SMGs, and a sniper rifle. There is also an arm carrying a Bangalore Torpedo, an arm with a satchel demolition charge.
Along with the usual backpacks and ammo pouches, there are some interesting new pieces. This includes a folding pickaxe, hatchets, and some combat flashlights.
The Mystery Box cost £200 and looking at the all the items equates to a saving of some 55% on the retail prices.
I will be making and using nearly everything that was included, so I am really happy with the outcome.
Choosing the dedicated World War Two box has worked out really well for me. Yes, there is some duplication of models I already have for Bolt Action. I will look at using them in that Winter Force option for my US army. A Soviet Army? Maybe.
The Mystery Box did include a Combined Arms game starter set and a Blood Red Skies Airfix Starter box. I do already have both of these and so they will be donated to friends to inspire them to get into both games.
I hope you have enjoyed this look into Warlord Mystery Boxes. If you have taken the plunge, then do let us know your own experiences.