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Warhammer: The Old World

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Not to be confused with the continent of the Old World.


Warhammer The Old World logo

Logo of Warhammer: The Old World

Warhammer: The Old World is a new miniature tabletop battle game that is being developed by Games Workshop as a specialty game that uses the same setting as the now-defunct Warhammer Fantasy Battle. The project was first announced on 15 November 2019, and is expected to be released in early 2024.

It will be set in the past of the Known World, centuries before the End Times, in the year 2276 IC during the Age of Three Emperors when the Empire was fractured between warring Elector Counts.[2]

Notable Information[]

First teaser (14 November 2019)[]

The first clue from Games Workshop about the project was a picture of a square 25mm base, captioned "Everything comes round again. Even squares". This points to the return of the classical Warhammer Fantasy square bases and formations.[1]

Reveal (15 November 2019)[]

The next day, the company's official news website, Warhammer Community, announced that the new game was being worked on and revealed the logo. In it, one can distinguish tiny silhouettes of armies and monsters such as Giants, Dragons and Daemons, as well as a siege tower. The article pointed out that Warhammer: The Old World will be a prequel to Warhammer Fantasy, and that it won't be available for purchase for at least two, three or even more years.[2]

On the same day, another humorous article on the same site made references to Tomb King Settra the Imperishable, to the use of square bases and the "failure" of Archaon in destroying the Warhammer world.[3]

Presentation of the map of the Old World and the Empire (6 February 2020)[]

The next announcement revealed the map in which the new game's campaigns will be set. As its name hinted, the map doesn't extend further than the Old World continent, from Norsca to the Border Princes, and leaves neighbouring regions like the Badlands, Albion and the Chaos Wastes as blank spaces.[4]

This physical map included the political borders of the Empire of Man, which is divided in several regions, as well as the coats of arms of their rulers in the Age of Three Emperors:[4]

Other marked out regions without names or coats of arms are:

  • There is a province outlined to the north of the Forest of the Griffon and the Upper Talabec and south of river Urskoy, in what nowadays is south-eastern Kislev. This might be Ostermark.[4]

Ice Guard of Kislev's concept art (23 March 2020)[]

The next update focused on Kislev, showing a zoomed-in version of the map that included the easternmost regions of Norsca (in which the Norse Dwarfs are marked out), the Goromadny mountains that link them with the Worlds Edge Mountains, the Troll Country and the basins of rivers Tobol and Lynsk. No cities are marked out, but there is a road that leads from the Sea of Claws up to the High Pass.[5]

This article also included the first miniature concept art sketches, revealing the new Ice Guard of Kislev.[5]

Kislevite Bear Riders' sketches (11 May 2020)[]

After a couple of months' stop due to the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Warhammer Community showed again new Kislevite designs, in this case of polar bears used as steeds.[6]

Presentation of the map of Bretonnia (28 December 2020)[]

There were no more news about Warhammer: The Old World until nearly the end of the year. This time, the spotlight fell on Bretonnia, which keeps its traditional outer borders but has a few differences in its inner ones:[7]

The Bretonnian Dukes mentioned in the map are:[7]

Kislev Update (13 May 2021)[]

New information about Kislev in Warhammer: The Old World was released alongside new information about Kislev in Total War: Warhammer III. Games Workshop and Creative Assembly (developer of Total War) were working closely together. Games Workshop was creating new lore and units for Kislev, fully fleshing them out for Warhammer: The Old World and also for Total War: Warhammer III.

Some new units for Kislev revealed on the Warhammer Community website include:

  • Little Grom - A mobile cannon placed on a sled towed by bears.

Also revealed in Total War: Warhammer III gameplay videos were updated designs for Streltsi, Kossars, and Winged Lancers.

However, it should be noted that Total War: Warhammer III takes place around the coronation of Karl Franz -- hundreds of years after Warhammer: The Old World. As such, the units appearing in Total War: Warhammer III may not all be present in Warhammer: The Old World.

Additionally, the map of Kislev (and their eastern colonies in the Dark Lands) in the 2276 IC time frame of Warhammer: The Old World was revealed. This can be seen below.

Update to the Border Princes (7 October 2021)[]

New information regarding the setting for Warhammer: The Old World came with an article about the Border Princes. This rugged region acts as a crossroads between the various nations and factions of the Old World. It has been in the path of invading armies passing through in all directions while no one nation lays claim to it. It's a patchwork of petty kingdoms, ruled by and despots whose power never lasts long until another "Prince" takes their place. Exiled nobles and fallen warlords come from far and wide to carve their own piece of this shattered realm, gathering any waifs and strays that will flock to their tattered banners.[8]

While the Border Princes have been a part of the Warhammer setting for a long time, they were never truly fleshed out. The idea always was to maintain the Border Princes as a "sandbox" for players to set their own adventures and campaigns in. As such, their intention is not to overdesign the Border Princes. Instead, they wanted to create a "snapshot" of how the region looked in the time period of 2276 IC that setting takes place in. We are shown many heraldry from different Border Princes. The names above the heraldry include:[8]

  • Karolina Aquilena - Karolina Aquilena, known as the Slayer of Queens, she's the daughter of Baron Carrard, an infamous Bretonnian exile of Kasos Rock whose crusade into the Land of the Dead earned the ire of Settra himself. She ruled around ca. 2276 IC.[8][33]
  • Desa Donalba - Desa Donalba, known as the Bloody Baron. An infamous Estalian prince, cast out of his homeland for reasons unknown. He ruled around ca. 2276 IC.[8][33] Even in far Bretonnia the troubadours regal the tavern folk with lurid songs of honourless miscreants such as him, Cecil Gastonne, and the murderous Maid of Mousillon.[38b]
  • Gunter Dunkelmund - Lord Gunter Dunkelmund, the Broken King. He's the man who once believed himself the rightful king of Middenland has endured long decades of suffering in the Border Princes since he escaped his cell beneath the Fauschlag Rock. He ruled around ca. 2276 IC.[8][33]
  • Jurgen Esselhafen - Prince Jurgen Esselhafen, the Lord of Paupers. A mercenary prince rumoured to be in the employ of Marienburg, Jurgen is involved in much illicit trade through the many ports in the Border Princes. He ruled around ca. 2276 IC.[8][33]
  • Cecil Gastonne - Sir Cecil Gastonne, known as the Wyrm Slayer, this infamous Bretonnian exile won great renown whilst defending the Border Princes from the armies of Settra the Imperishable. He ruled around ca. 2276 IC.[8][33]
  • Harkon - Lord Harkon. The origins of Lord Harkon and the tales of how he came to reside in the ruins of Ulfreya are shrouded in mystery. Very few denizens of the Border Princes venture near his darkened keep. He ruled around ca. 2276 IC.[8][33]
  • Jaardorf the Treacherous - Baron Jaardorf the Treacherous. The people of Brovska whisper that the recently arrived lord of Castle Drakweir rode into the Border Princes barely a few horse lengths ahead of the Duke whose trust he betrayed. He ruled around ca. 2276 IC.[8][33]
  • Adalene Monteaux - Adalene Monteaux, known as the Cursed Maid of Mousillon, one of many Bretonnian's residing within the Border Princes, the Cursed Maid chose exile rather than accept responsibility for the terrible fate that befell her tenant farmers. She ruled around ca. 2276 IC.[8][33]
  • Fulma Ortegeta - Lord Fulma Ortegeta, known as the Don of the Red River, what crimes Lord Ortegeta committed in Estalia, none can remember, for he has resided in the Border Princes for three score years and more. He ruled around ca. 2276 IC.[8][33]
  • Julien Pontenne - Sir Julien Pontenne, The Craven. The knights of Bretonnia are renowned for their bravery. Sir Julien is renowned only for how far his cowardly flight carried him from his home in Lyonesse. He ruled around ca. 2276 IC.[8][33]
  • Karl Raachwald - Karl Raachwald, known as the Hermit Prince. Once a prince of the Reikland, Herr Raachwald was driven from his home accused of being a spy for Talabheim. He ruled around ca. 2276 IC.[8][33]
  • Valdos Uvetovsk - Boyar Valdos Uvetovsk, known as the Oath-Breaker. For one as treacherous as Valdos Uvetovsk, the distance between Kislev and the Border Princes may not be enough to escape his enemies. He ruled around ca. 2276 IC.[8][33]

Update to Cathay (18 February 2022)[]

To commemorate the release of Total War: Warhammer III, the first official map of Grand Cathay was revealed, focusing on the north-western provinces of Miao Ying, Zhao Ming and Xen Yang. As the draconic rulers of Cathay are extremely long-lived, the map is considered to work both during the period of the Old World and the 2500s in which Total War takes place.[9]

Update to the Old World (14 October 2022)[]

An update showed artwork for several iconic units, like the Orc Boar Boyz, the Bretonnian Knight of the Realm, Peasant Bowman and the Tomb Kings' Skeleton Chariot. The map of the Old World was updated with several icons indicating the presence of Greenskins and Dwarfs as well as the Imperial provinces of Averland, Ostermark, Wissenland, Sudenland, Stirland and the Moot. The heraldry of Sylvania was also present.[10]

Update to the Empire (11 January 2023)[]

This update explored the new setting for Warhammer: The Old World, which will focus on the time period immediately before the Great War Against Chaos in the 23rd century IC, the so-called "Time of Three Emperors" when the Empire was still a land that had been fractured for centuries between Elector Counts competing for the Imperial throne. The update makes clear that the End Times are still canon, and that the Known World will eventually end some two centuries later.[11]

Update to Nehekara (6 February 2023)[]

This update provided a new map of Nehekara set in Warhammer: The Old World's new time period as well as artwork for Sepulchral Stalkers and Skeleton Warriors. The cities shown on the map included Khemri, Numas, Zandri, Ka-Sabar, Bilagar, Quear, Rasgera, Mahrak and Lybaras. The Tomb Kings will be essential to the new narratives that will be explored in the setting.[12]

Preview Kits (13 March 2023)[]

This article provided a first look at new miniatures, including kits for Bretonnia and the Tomb Kings.[13]

Miniature Bases (14 April 2023)[]

This article revealed that base sizes for miniatures produced for Warhammer: The Old World will be increased from their prior size in 8th Edition Warhammer Fantasy Battle. The only new base size revealed was the were 25 millimetre bases which was a change from the prior 20 millimetre standard. There will be many new miniatures for the line and a new colour scheme for Brionne was revealed changing it from black and white to black and red.[14]

Warhammer Feast Reveals (30 April 2023)[]

This update concerned new information about the setting revealed at Warhammer Feast 2023 that included new art work, more details about the release of the game including that there would be no starter box, but instead a "launch box." Two new resin models were also revealed: a Tomb King and a Paladin of Bretonnia. The article also provided a new cinematic trailer for the setting as well as a statement that neither Kislev nor Grand Cathay will be available factions at the setting's launch.[15]

Core Faction Reveal (23 May 2023)[]

This update revealed details about the main factions in the setting that will appear at launch called "core factions," which will include: the Empire, Dwarfs, Bretonnia, Wood Elves, High Elves, Greenskins, Tomb Kings, Beastmen and the Warriors of Chaos.

These factions will receive the initial focus for both narratives and miniature releases. As for the other races once available in 8th Edition Warhammer Fantasy Battle Games Workshop said that rules for all 8th Edition armies will be available, including the Daemons of Chaos, Lizardmen, Ogre Kingdoms, Dark Elves, Skaven, Vampire Counts and Chaos Dwarfs. These factions will receive rules but will not see any new miniature releases or narrative events during the initial release. [16]

Not Warhammer 40,000 Preview Reveals (1 July 2023)[]

This update revealed a new miniature for Bretonnia. [17]

Rules Update (24 July 2023)[]

This update revealed rules for how battle lines are drawn with encouragement for wide lines to allow as many units as they possible to fight. It also showcased the ability to create custom characters, changes on how units retreat and finally magic was changed in that it is now unleashed across multiple phases rather than one. The developers claim that they played the rules of every prior edition of Warhammer Fantasy Battle in order to see which rules should remain and which should be altered or removed. [18]

NOVA Previews (31 Aug 2023)[]

A new resin miniature for Bretonnia was released for Élisse Duchaard, a Bretonnian Prophetess of the Lady.[19]

Warhammer Day Teaser (9 Oct 2023)[]

A standard bearer of Bretonnian on foot made of resin was revealed along with hints for more reveals on Warhammer day.[20]

Warhammer Day Previews (14 Oct 2023)[]

Warhammer Day saw the estimated release date for Warhammer: The Old World in early 2024 as the first major release of Games Workshop for that year. [21]

Second Rules Update (30 Oct 2023)[]

This update revealed many new rules and the turn sequence of the new tabletop game, including the strategy phase, the movement phase, the shooting phase, and the combat phase. [22]

Movement Rules (6 Nov 2023)[]

This update revealed rules for the movement phase of the game, including rules for formations, charges, counter-charges and wheeling. [23]

Shooting Phase (13 Nov 2023)[]

This update revealed rules for the shooting phase of the game, including rules for declaring targets, rolls to hit, rolls to wound, and removing casualties.[24]

Combat Phase (20 Nov 2023)[]

This update revealed rules for the combat phase of the tabletop game which is divided into choose & fight, calculate result, break test, and pursuit.[25]

Morale and Psychology (27 Nov 2023)[]

This update revealed the rules for morale and psychology.[26]

Magic Rules (04 Dec 2023)[]

This update revealed the rules for how magic will work within the game. The biggest change will be a major simplification of the magic system originally used in Warhammer Fantasy Battle.[27]

Grail Knight Rules (11 Dec 2023)[]

This update revealed the rules for the Bretonnian grail knights with all the special rules for them as well as the reveal for there base size that being 30x60mm as well as the reveal of the new rule book will be ready for pre-orders for the new year.[28]

Army Selection (18 Dec 2023)[]

This update revealed how armies will be set up, their point costs, as well revealing the army list for Bretonnia, with other details such as mounts, the base size for Hippogryphs (50x50mm) and the unit sizes for Men-at-Arms.[29]

An Old World Novel (20 Dec 2023)[]

This article revealed an upcoming novel set in time period of Warhammer: Old World called Lords of the Lace which will be written by Graham McNeill. The plot involves the kidnapping of the son of a Bretonnian Border Prince and the uneasy alliance of Baron Lothar Aquilena and Duke Cyricus Carrard as they attempt to rescue Aquilena's son.[30]

Tomb Kings Revealed (26 Dec 2023)[]

Warhammer: The Old World will launch with two starter army boxes, one for Bretonnia and one for the Tomb Kings. The main rule set will be available as a physical book or an ebook.[31]

Update to Bretonnia (27 Dec 2023)[]

This update revealed background lore on the kingdom of Bretonnia with details of it's founding, the chivalric code, it's relationship with the Wood Elves, the Green Knight, and it's current situation in the World of Legend.[32] With this the website was updated with an interactive map with large amounts of background lore, a video that also explains the lore, and an expansion into the Southlands and Dragon isles though not all of the map is interactive.[33]

Tomb Kings Lore (29 Dec. 2023)[]

This update revealed background lore for the Tomb Kings.[34]

Maps of the Old World in 2276 IC[]

The images of the maps published at Warhammer Community are sometimes lacking in resolution, which makes it hard to make out the correct spelling of some of the names marked out on them.

Miniatures[]

Videos[]

Sources[]

Gallery[]

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