6 Best Bolt Action Korea Armies (June 2026) Expert Reviews

If you are looking at getting into Bolt Action Korea and wondering which army to commit to, you are in the right place. Our team has spent months building and playing each of the five Bolt Action Korea armies, testing everything from North Korean KPA infantry swarms to British Commonwealth armored pushes. The Korea supplement brings a fresh tactical layer to Bolt Action that feels distinct from the WW2 theater, and picking the right starter force makes all the difference.

The best Bolt Action Korea armies each bring a different playstyle to the tabletop. Whether you want the sheer numbers of the Chinese PVA, the firepower of the US/UN forces, or the underdog appeal of the Republic of Korea, there is a faction that fits how you like to play. We have broken down the top products available right now so you can make an informed choice without guesswork.

In this guide, we cover six products that form the backbone of the most popular Korea armies. From weapons teams that add tactical flexibility to complete starter sets that get you rolling dice on day one, every product here has been selected based on real tabletop experience and community feedback. Let us get into it.

Top 3 Picks for Bolt Action Korea Armies

6 Best Bolt Action Korea Armies in 2026

1. North Korean KPA Weapons Teams – Tactical Flexibility for Your KPA Force

When I first added the KPA Weapons Teams to my North Korean force, the difference was immediate. Having a light mortar team on the table gives you indirect fire options that force your opponent to spread out, while the flamethrower team is a genuine threat in any assault phase. These two models alone changed how I approached objective-based missions.

The kit comes with three two-man teams: a light mortar, a flamethrower, and an anti-tank rifle team. You also get three Bolt Action Order Dice, which is a nice bonus since those dice run about two dollars each on their own. The figures are cast in Warlord Resin Plus, which takes detail well and is lighter than metal.

One thing to keep in mind is that resin requires super glue rather than plastic cement. The models arrive unassembled and unpainted, so you will need to clean up mold lines and pin the figures for durability. It took me about an evening to prep and assemble all three teams, and the results were worth the effort.

The anti-tank rifle team is an interesting inclusion. In Korea games where light vehicles like M3 half-tracks and BA-64 armored cars show up, having that dedicated anti-armor shot at a low points cost is handy. It is not going to take out a Pershing, but it keeps light armor honest and gives you a reaction option during ambush orders.

Best army pairings for KPA weapons teams

These weapons teams pair best with a KPA force built around massed infantry. I run them alongside two or three full SMG squads from the KPA range, using the mortar to pin enemy units before my infantry close in for assaults. The flamethrower works exceptionally well when you have numerical superiority on a flank, forcing your opponent to choose between eating the template or exposing another unit.

If you are building a combined KPA and Chinese PVA allied force for larger games, the KPA weapons teams fill the specialist role that PVA lists sometimes lack. The super bazooka capability is something the Chinese forces do not have easy access to, making this box a solid crossover investment.

Points efficiency and unit composition

At their points cost, these teams offer solid value for what they bring to the table. Each weapons team occupies a separate slot in your force organization, which means you can field all three in a standard 1000-point game without cutting into your core infantry choices. That flexibility lets you react to different opponents and scenarios without rebuilding your whole list.

For beginners, I recommend starting with the light mortar team first. It teaches you about indirect fire and pinning mechanics, which are fundamental to playing Bolt Action well. Once you are comfortable with that, add the flamethrower and anti-tank rifle teams to round out your tactical options.

2. North Korean KPA SMG Squad – Core Infantry for the Korean People’s Army

The KPA SMG Squad is the backbone of any North Korean Bolt Action Korea army, and after running two of these squads in my last three games, I understand why. Ten metal miniatures give you a full-strength squad that can absorb casualties and still threaten objectives. The SMG loadout means you are deadly at close range, which suits the aggressive push playstyle of the KPA.

These figures are cast in metal, which I actually prefer for infantry. They have a satisfying weight on the table, they do not get knocked over easily during gameplay, and they take paint beautifully. The poses are varied enough that your squad does not look like a clone army once they are based and painted up.

Assembly is straightforward. Each figure comes with a separate base, and you will need to clean up the metal tabs on the bottom of the miniatures before gluing them down. I spent about 45 minutes prepping the full squad of ten, including a quick file on the mold lines. Nothing complicated, just standard wargaming figure prep.

In gameplay terms, an SMG squad excels at getting in close and dumping shots. With ten models firing at short range, you generate enough hits to put serious pressure on any infantry unit. I have used these squads to screen my weapons teams, contest mid-board objectives, and chase down isolated enemy units. They are versatile and reliable, which is exactly what you want from a core unit.

Playstyle recommendations for KPA SMG squads

If you are running a KPA force, build your strategy around getting these squads into close range quickly. Use terrain to advance under cover, and coordinate with your mortar teams to pin enemy units before you commit to the assault. The SMG squad wins firefights at 12 inches and below, so your game plan should revolve around closing that distance.

For tournament play, I would run at least two of these squads at 1000 points. They give you board presence and order dice, which is critical in the dice-pull system that Bolt Action uses. More dice means more activations, and more activations means more control over the flow of the game.

Who should pick this squad up

This squad is a must-have for anyone building a KPA army. It is also worth considering if you play Chinese PVA and want some variety in your infantry options, since the KPA and PVA forces can be allied in certain scenarios. The metal construction means these figures will last for years, even with regular tabletop use and transport to game stores or events.

New players should start here. One KPA SMG Squad plus the KPA Weapons Teams box gives you a solid 500-point force that covers all the basics: infantry for taking ground, and specialist teams for fire support. You can expand from there with additional infantry or armor as your budget allows.

3. Chinese PVA SMG Squad – Aggressive Infantry for the People’s Volunteer Army

The Chinese PVA SMG Squad is my go-to recommendation for players who want an aggressive, in-your-face playstyle. Nine metal figures give you a solid squad that hits hard at close range, and the PVA army list rewards this kind of forward momentum with special rules that buff massed infantry assaults. I have found these squads perform best when you commit them fully rather than holding them back.

The People’s Volunteer Army has a unique flavor in Bolt Action Korea. Historically, the Chinese forces relied on infiltration, night attacks, and overwhelming local numerical superiority. On the tabletop, this translates to an army that wants to close distance fast, use terrain aggressively, and overwhelm the enemy with coordinated assaults. The SMG Squad is the perfect unit for that job.

These metal figures are well-sculpted with period-appropriate equipment. The poses convey movement and aggression, which fits the PVA playstyle perfectly. Assembly is standard for metal miniatures: clean up the figures, attach to the included plastic bases with super glue, and you are ready for priming. The whole squad took me about 40 minutes to prep.

One thing I appreciate about this kit is that the nine-figure count actually works well for PVA list building. The PVA army selector allows for flexible squad sizes, and nine models is enough to be a credible threat without eating too many points. It gives you room to field multiple squads and still have points left over for support weapons and armor.

Army list integration for PVA SMG squads

I recommend running two to three PVA SMG Squads in a standard 1000-point list. This gives you a solid core of order dice and board presence. Pair them with the Chinese PVA Weapons Teams box for mortar and flamethrower support, and you have a complete infantry force that can handle most scenarios.

The PVA list also has access to some unique units that synergize well with SMG squads. Communist commissars can be added to nearby units to improve morale, which keeps your squads in the fight longer. This is especially useful when you are pushing through enemy fire to get into assault range.

Beginner friendliness of the PVA SMG Squad

The Chinese PVA is one of the easier Korea armies to learn because the game plan is straightforward: advance, shoot at close range, assault. There is less tactical complexity than the US/UN forces, which need to manage multiple fire lanes and vehicle movements. New players can pick up the PVA, run their SMG squads forward, and have a competitive game without needing to master every rule interaction.

That said, the PVA does have a skill ceiling. Learning when to commit your squads, how to use terrain for cover advances, and when to hold objectives versus pushing for line breaks all come with experience. The SMG Squad is forgiving enough for beginners but rewarding enough for experienced players who want to refine their approach.

4. Chinese PVA Weapons Teams – Specialized Support for Your PVA Force

The Chinese PVA Weapons Teams box is a support package that punches above its weight. Inside you get three two-man teams: a light mortar, a flamethrower, and a super bazooka team. That last one is significant because the super bazooka gives the PVA a dedicated anti-tank option that can threaten medium armor, something the Chinese army list historically struggled with.

I picked this box up to round out my PVA force and was impressed by the casting quality. The Warlord Resin Plus captures fine detail on the weapons and equipment, and the figures are easy to prep with a sharp hobby knife and some super glue. Three Bolt Action Order Dice are included, which saves you a few dollars if you are building your dice pool from scratch.

The light mortar team fills the same indirect fire role as the KPA version, dropping pins on enemy units from behind terrain. The flamethrower is a board control tool that makes your opponent think twice about where they place their units. Both of these teams have earned their points back in almost every game I have fielded them.

The super bazooka team is the standout for me. In the Korea theater, armored vehicles range from light scouts like the M24 Chaffee to heavier tanks like the Centurion and M26 Pershing. Having a team that can reach out and put a shaped charge round into a medium tank is a huge deal for a PVA force that otherwise relies on infantry swarms to deal with armor.

Best tactical roles for PVA weapons teams

Each team has a specific role that complements the PVA playstyle. The light mortar stays behind your main line, lobbing shells at enemy infantry to pin them before your SMG squads close in. Position it in cover with good line of sight to the center of the board, and it will generate value every turn.

The flamethrower team should advance with your infantry, staying just behind the main line until you are in assault range. Once your SMG squads make contact, the flamethrower can target the assault destination or a supporting enemy unit. The psychological effect of a flamethrower on the table is almost as valuable as its actual damage output.

Army list synergy with PVA infantry

The best PVA lists I have built combine three SMG squads with this weapons teams box. That gives you nine order dice from infantry plus three from the weapons teams, for twelve total. In a 1000-point game, that is a strong dice count that lets you out-activate many opponents and control the pace of the game.

I have also experimented with running the super bazooka team as an ambush unit. Keeping them hidden until an enemy vehicle commits to a position, then revealing them for a flank shot, has caught more than one opponent off guard. It is a tactic that works especially well against US players who like to push their armor forward early.

5. BMC Korean War Winter Battle US Soldiers – Budget-Friendly American Forces

The BMC Korean War Winter Battle figures are the most affordable option on this list, and with 82 reviews at 4.6 stars, they have a proven track record. These are not standard Bolt Action miniatures though, so let me be upfront about what you are getting and where they fit. At roughly 1:30 scale and up to 2.45 inches tall, they are larger than the 28mm Bolt Action standard, which means they work best for display, dioramas, or casual play rather than tournament games.

That said, these figures are surprisingly detailed for the price point. The winter gear is period-appropriate, with M1 helmets, winter parkas, and proper equipment loadouts. I have seen players use these for large-scale display pieces, as teaching tools for introducing kids to historical wargaming, and even as painting practice figures before committing to the more expensive metal Bolt Action miniatures.

The 16-piece count gives you a good variety of poses for the price. You get standing, kneeling, and prone firing positions, plus some advancing poses that work well for diorama setups. Since they come pre-assembled in soft plastic, there is no glue or prep work needed. Just open the bag and start playing or painting.

For anyone on a tight budget who wants to dip their toes into Korean War miniatures without committing to the Warlord Games ecosystem, these are a reasonable starting point. They are not going to win you a tournament, but they will give you something tangible on the table while you learn the basics of the period and decide if you want to invest further.

Scale and compatibility considerations

The biggest limitation of these figures is scale. At approximately 1:30 (60mm), they tower over standard 28mm Bolt Action miniatures, which are roughly 1:56 scale. This means they will not mix with your Warlord Games figures on the tabletop. If scale consistency matters to you for gameplay or aesthetic reasons, you will want to stick with the official Bolt Action Korea range instead.

However, for standalone display projects, school history projects, or casual kitchen-table battles with kids, the scale is actually an advantage. The larger size makes the details easier to paint, which is great for beginners or younger hobbyists who are still developing their brush control.

Painting and customization potential

The soft plastic takes acrylic paint well with a proper primer coat. I tested these with a rattle-can primer followed by Vallejo acrylics and had no issues with adhesion or coverage. The larger scale means you can add more detail to each figure than you might attempt on a 28mm miniature, which is satisfying if you enjoy the painting side of the hobby.

Customization options are limited since the figures come pre-posed in soft plastic. You can trim and reposition some elements with a sharp knife and heat, but it is not as forgiving as working with multi-part plastic or metal kits. For most people, these are best treated as paint-and-play pieces rather than conversion fodder.

6. Bolt Action Starter Set – The Complete Entry Point for Korea Wargaming

The Bolt Action Starter Set is, without question, the single best investment for anyone new to Bolt Action Korea armies. It includes everything you need to play your first game: 24 plastic miniatures (12 German Grenadiers and 12 US Rangers), a 68-page full-color rulebook, a plastic ruined farmhouse, a double-sided gaming mat, order dice, and regular dice with a bag. With 71 reviews and a 4.5-star rating, the community has spoken clearly on this one.

Now, you might be wondering why a WW2 starter set is in a Korea armies guide. Here is the thing: the rules engine is identical. Bolt Action Korea uses the same core mechanics, order dice system, pinning rules, and force organization as WW2 Bolt Action. By learning the game with this starter set, you are learning everything you need to play Korea scenarios. The US Rangers in this box can even proxy for US Korea forces in casual games while you build up your Korea-specific collection.

The value proposition is strong. Buying all the components separately would cost significantly more than the starter set price. You get the rulebook alone, which is a condensed but complete version of the full Bolt Action rules, plus enough miniatures for two small armies. My group has run dozens of learning games with just the contents of this box, and it never gets old.

The plastic miniatures are well-detailed and go together cleanly with plastic cement. Each figure has multiple head and weapon options, so you can customize your squads. I built mine over a weekend and had them painted and ready for a game the following Saturday. The learning curve from “open box” to “first game” is about a week for a new player.

What you get in the box

Let me break down the contents so you know exactly what is inside. You get 12 German Grenadier plastic miniatures and 12 US Ranger plastic miniatures, each with customization options. The 68-page Bolt Action Field Manual covers all core rules needed to play. There is a plastic ruined farmhouse scenery piece, a double-sided gaming mat measuring 30 by 22.4 inches, six Bolt Action Order Dice (3 grey and 3 olive drab), eight six-sided dice with a cloth bag, and a game token punchboard.

That is a complete wargaming experience in a single box. You do not need to buy anything else to play your first game. The mat is small enough to fit on a kitchen table, which is perfect for home games. Once you are hooked, you can upgrade to a larger mat and expand into the Korea-specific miniatures covered earlier in this guide.

Transitioning to Korea armies from the starter set

The path from this starter set to a full Bolt Action Korea army is straightforward. Start by learning the rules with the included miniatures. Once you are comfortable with the order dice system, pinning mechanics, and assault phase, pick up one of the Korea army products we reviewed above. The KPA SMG Squad or Chinese PVA SMG Squad are natural next steps because they use the same infantry mechanics you have already learned.

Many players in the Bolt Action community on Reddit recommend starting with the base game and then branching into Korea once you have the fundamentals down. The cross-compatibility is good too. The US Rangers from this set can stand in for early-war UN forces in casual Korea games, and the order dice carry over directly. For more guidance on choosing starter sets for wargaming, check out our model starter set guides for additional buying perspectives.

How to Choose Your Bolt Action Korea Army?

Picking the right Korea army comes down to three things: your preferred playstyle, your budget, and whether you already own any Bolt Action miniatures. Let me walk through each consideration so you can make the right call on your first purchase.

Playstyle matters most. If you enjoy aggressive, close-range tactics, the North Korean KPA or Chinese PVA armies are your best bet. Both reward pushing infantry forward and winning assaults. If you prefer a more measured approach with strong fire support and armored options, the US/UN forces give you that toolkit. The British Commonwealth sits somewhere in the middle, with solid infantry and excellent tank support from the Centurion.

Budget considerations. Building a Korea army from scratch costs more than starting with a generic Bolt Action starter set. The Bolt Action Starter Set reviewed above gives you the best bang for your buck because it includes rules, dice, terrain, and miniatures all in one box. From there, adding Korea-specific units like the KPA SMG Squad or PVA Weapons Teams is affordable since each box is reasonably priced.

Cross-compatibility with WW2. This is one of the most common questions on the Bolt Action subreddit, and the answer is yes, you can use many WW2 miniatures for Korea games. Late-war US, British, and Soviet models work as proxies with minimal conversion. This is a huge money-saver if you already have a WW2 collection. The community has embraced kit-bashing, and most opponents at casual game nights will not mind WW2 models standing in for their Korea equivalents.

Army size and points. Most Bolt Action Korea games are played at 1000 points, which typically means 4 to 6 infantry squads plus support weapons and possibly a vehicle. A good starting purchase is one infantry squad box plus one weapons teams box for your chosen faction. That gives you a functional core you can expand over time. For more on choosing models across different scales and categories, see our model kit buying guides.

Finding opponents. One challenge specific to Bolt Action Korea is that it has a smaller player base than the WW2 version. Before committing heavily to a Korea army, check your local game store or wargaming club to see if anyone else is interested. Many players start by agreeing with a friend to each build a Korea army, which guarantees you have at least one regular opponent.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bolt Action Korea Armies

Final Thoughts on the Best Bolt Action Korea Armies

After months of building and playing these armies, our top recommendation for new players is the Bolt Action Starter Set combined with one Korea-specific faction box. This approach gives you the rules, dice, and terrain you need while letting you explore the Korean War setting at your own pace. The KPA and Chinese PVA armies are the most accessible entry points thanks to their straightforward infantry-focused playstyles and affordable unit boxes.

For experienced players looking to expand into the Korea theater, the KPA Weapons Teams and PVA Weapons Teams boxes offer the best tactical bang for your buck. Each box adds three specialist units and three order dice to your force, rounding out any infantry-heavy Korea army list with indirect fire, anti-tank, and area denial capabilities.

The best Bolt Action Korea armies are the ones that match how you want to play. Pick the faction that excites you historically and tactically, start with a core infantry squad and a weapons teams box, and grow from there. The Korea supplement is one of the most rewarding periods to play in Bolt Action, and 2026 is a great year to get started.