January is almost here, so Armies of Imperial Japan is about to hit shelves. We have already seen the national rules and the new infantry sprue.
However, this preview shifts to units you will actually field. Some of them are brand new, and others return from Second Edition with tweaks. Therefore, the vibe is familiar tools with a Third Edition balance pass.
Lone Sniper Returns With Sneaky Options
The first unit is a returning classic, the Lone Sniper from the expanded Second Edition roster. It is exactly what it sounds like, one sniper operating solo. Because he is alone, he gets a points reduction, which is always nice. He can take a sniper rifle or an LMG, so you can tailor his job.
With Infiltrators and Fieldcraft, he is described as properly sneaky. Therefore, he is great for hunting officers and other key models. Additionally, the LMG option lets him hose down infantry instead of playing the headshot game. The article also calls out a fun hobby tie in. He is a perfect excuse to use the spider hole piece from the new plastic sprue.
War Dogs Handlers Bring Midfield Bite
Next up are War Dogs Handlers, and yes, the joke writes itself. This unit feels very late Second Edition, in that slightly weird but beloved roster expansion style. The article notes players have been eager for more of these out there squads.
Rules wise, they get Infiltrators and Tough Fighters. So you can run a small four man team that starts forward and threatens the midfield. Their job is to hunt enemy spotters and observers, which is a very real nuisance role in Bolt Action. Building them is also pitched as easy. You grab Japanese infantry models and add dogs. The article even suggests the new Soviet sprue as a handy source for the dogs, which is a classic kitbash wink.
Kirikomi Tai Adds a New Kind of Explosion
Suicide teams are presented as a core part of Japanese Bolt Action identity. Traditionally, that has meant anti tank tools like the lunge mine, which the article says is still included in the new book. However, the Kirikomi Tai adds a dedicated anti infantry suicide option.
Like the other teams, they lean on Infiltrators to lurk forward. When they blow, they can inflict a nasty 2d6 hits in Close Quarters. Therefore, they are a real threat to any enemy squad that gets too close. The article also notes the counterplay. A smart opponent will try to gun them down at range. However, if you can maneuver them into striking distance, they become a brutal surprise piece.
Modeling is left wide open, which is very hobby friendly. Any model with a satchel, a big backpack, or lots of grenades can represent them. So the article is basically telling you to get weird with conversions and make them look dangerous.
Bamboo Spear Fighters Get Reined In but Stay Useful
Finally, we get the legendary Bamboo Spear Fighters, the Boeitai Squad. The article calls out how bonkers they were in Second Edition. Competitive Japanese lists could start looking like a Pike and Shotte army instead of World War Two platoons. That was not the goal for Third Edition. However, they are iconic, and many players already own piles of them. So they stay in the book, but with a big rework.
Now they are presented as more historically aligned and much less reliable. They carry Unpredictable, Poor Morale, and Green, which makes them shaky on the table. However, they can be fielded in squads up to 15 models for dirt cheap. Therefore, they become a low cost infantry option that frees points for other tools. And yes, the article leans into the fun. Sometimes you just want to throw a giant horde forward and see what happens.
Summary
This Imperial Japan preview introduces four notable units from Armies of Imperial Japan for Bolt Action Third Edition. The Lone Sniper returns as a cheaper solo infiltrator who can run a rifle or an LMG, and he pairs perfectly with the spider hole hobby piece. War Dogs Handlers add a forward deployed four man skirmish team with Infiltrators and Tough Fighters, ideal for hunting spotters and observers. Kirikomi Tai expands the suicide toolkit into anti infantry, bringing a 2d6 Close Quarters explosion that punishes anyone who lets them get close.
Meanwhile, Bamboo Spear Fighters remain in the roster, but they are toned down hard with Unpredictable, Poor Morale, and Green. However, their cheap 15 man squads still offer a fun horde option and free points elsewhere. If this is the tone of the book, then Japanese lists in Third Edition look sneaky, aggressive, and still a little unhinged in the best way.
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