WYSI-more-or-less-WYG

I've had a few games of Bolt Action now, and by and large I rather like it. However, all of the sighting rules are based on a WYSIWYG system, requiring the use of quite elaborate and realistic terrain and largish (28mm or larger) figures for best results. You'd also want to be using a periscope or something to be able to see just what can be seen from the viewpoint of your little toy soldier dollies.

I'm using the rules with 15mm figures, and the WYSIWYG sighting system isn't really all that feasible in the smaller scale. Cover and concealment has to be slightly abstracted to cope, but that's no big deal really, and principles from other rule sets can be easily adapted.

There are no target acquisition rules as written; again, they're assumed in the WYSIWYG sighting system. However, it's a simple matter to add them, taking into account target size, posture, range and concealment. The system used in the venerable WRG WWII rules works well, though it could do with being simplified a little.

One of the things I really like about the various Warlord rules I've seen — Black Powder, Hail Caesar and Bolt Action — is that they provide a simple, robust base to which can be added as much or as little detail as the individual gamer desires without too much danger of breaking everything.