So you've heard about Warhammer Fantasy Battle and you're wondering what all the fuss is about. Maybe you saw some cool miniatures at a friend's house, or stumbled across old rulebooks online. I remember my first encounter – this guy at my local game store had a fully painted Dwarf army on display, and I was hooked. But let's be real: diving into Warhammer Fantasy Battle can feel overwhelming. Between the lore, the rules, and the sheer cost of those tiny soldiers, where do you even start?
What Exactly is Warhammer Fantasy Battle?
Warhammer Fantasy Battle (we'll call it WFB for short) is a tabletop miniatures war game created by Games Workshop. Unlike its sci-fi cousin Warhammer 40k, WFB throws you into a dark fantasy world – imagine Tolkien meets Game of Thrones with extra demons. Armies of 100+ hand-painted miniatures clash on tabletops transformed into battlefields with handmade terrain. Rules cover everything from dragon breath attacks to undead raising spells. Games can last hours, and honestly? Setting up feels like directing your own epic movie.
I gotta say though – learning the rules took me three weekends. The 8th edition rulebook is 500+ pages! But once you grasp the rank-and-file movement system (troops fight in regiment blocks), it clicks. The tactical depth keeps veterans playing decades later.
The Rollercoaster History of Warhammer Fantasy Battle
Back in 1983, Games Workshop launched WFB as a small-scale fantasy skirmish game. By the 90s, it exploded. Stores worldwide hosted tournaments with hundreds of players. My first tournament in 2001 had Empire knights charging Chaos warriors across snowy boards – still gives me chills.
But then came "The End Times" in 2015. Games Workshop literally destroyed the game's world in a lore event. They replaced WFB with Age of Sigmar, a faster-paced system. Fans revolted. I saw grown men nearly cry over their now-useless rulebooks. Stock prices dipped. It was messy.
| Edition | Years Active | Key Changes | Player Reception |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd Edition | 1987-1992 | Introduced regiments & casualty removal | Launched competitive scene |
| 6th Edition | 2000-2006 | Streamlined magic system | "Golden era" for tournaments |
| 8th Edition | 2010-2015 | Huge unit sizes, random charges | Mixed reviews (too costly?) |
Recently though? Big news. In 2023, Games Workshop revived the setting as Warhammer: The Old World. It's not identical to classic Warhammer Fantasy Battle, but close enough that veterans are reopening their model cases. Prices remain steep though – a basic 2000-point army costs $500+ unpainted.
Factions That Define the Battlefield
Choosing your army feels like picking a football team – but with orcs. Each faction has unique playstyles:
Empire of Man
Humans with Renaissance tech – handgunners, steam tanks, and wizard colleges. Perfect for beginners wanting flexibility. My Empire army has 50 state troops… still unpainted after two years (don't judge).
Dwarfs
Tanky infantry with grudge-based lore. They move slow but hit hard. You’ll curse enemy cavalry running circles around your formations though.
New Player Tip: Skaven (rat-men) offer hilarious randomness. One game, their experimental weapon exploded and wiped half their army. We laughed for 10 minutes.
| Faction | Playstyle | Avg. Model Count | Starter Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Elves | Elite infantry & fast cavalry | 60-80 models | $350 | Tactical specialists |
| Vampire Counts | Undead hordes with magic | 100+ models | $420 | Players who like attrition |
| Ogre Kingdoms | Low model count, high damage | 20-40 models | $300 | Quick games |
How Games Actually Work
A standard Warhammer Fantasy Battle match has six phases per turn:
- Movement: Maneuver regiments while maintaining formation. Mess this up and your knights get stuck behind allies.
- Magic: Roll dice to cast spells. I’ve seen a single spell wipe 30 models – brutal when it backfires.
- Shooting: Archers and cannons fire. Cannons use "guess range" mechanics – my friend still complains about misfires.
- Combat: Units in contact fight. Models attack based on weapon skill. Expect dice avalanches!
- Leadership Tests: Broken units flee. Nothing hurts more than your general dying and your army panicking.
Victory comes through objectives or annihilation. Tournament games average 2-3 hours. My local shop rents tables for $5/hour – cheaper than golf.
Getting Started Without Going Broke
Okay, real talk: Warhammer Fantasy Battle demands cash. But smart starters save:
- Buy Used: eBay and Facebook groups overflow with secondhand armies. Got my High Elves at 60% off retail.
- 3D Printing: Many players print proxies. A resin printer pays for itself after two regiments.
- Essential Tools:
- Clippers ($15)
- Plastic glue ($8)
- Basic paint set ($40)
Where to Find Rulebooks Now
Since Warhammer Fantasy Battle is discontinued, physical 8th edition rulebooks sell for $100+ on eBay. Better options:
- Warhammer Armies Project: Community-updated rules (free PDFs)
- The 9th Age: Balanced tournament-focused successor (free)
- Warhammer: The Old World: GW's official revival (rulebook $65)
Finding Your Warhammer Tribe
Despite being "dead," the community thrives. Here’s where to play:
- Local Game Stores: Most host WFB nights. Call ahead – some focus on Age of Sigmar instead.
- Tournaments: Events like Buckeye Battles draw 100+ players annually. Entry fees $30-$50.
- Online:
- Tabletop Simulator ($20 on Steam) has active mods
- Discord groups like "Old World Wargamers"
I met my regular opponent at a gas station – he saw WFB books in my car. True story.
Warhammer Fantasy Battle vs. Age of Sigmar
Since Age of Sigmar (AoS) replaced WFB, everyone compares them:
| Feature | Warhammer Fantasy Battle | Age of Sigmar |
|---|---|---|
| Game Scale | Large regiments (100+ models) | Small squads (10-30 models) |
| Movement | Rank-and-file formations | Freeform movement |
| Rules Complexity | High (500+ page rulebook) | Low (4-page starter rules) |
| Average Game Time | 2.5-4 hours | 1-1.5 hours |
| Cost to Start | $300-$500 | $200-$300 |
Honestly? AoS is easier for newbies. But Warhammer Fantasy Battle feels more epic when 200 models collide. Depends whether you prefer chess or checkers.
Future of the Fantasy Battle Universe
The 2023 reboot Warhammer: The Old World uses similar rules to late-edition Warhammer Fantasy Battle with tweaks:
- Return of square bases (not round like AoS)
- Focus on "The Time of Three Emperors" lore era
- Resin-cast miniatures instead of plastic (more expensive)
Early reviews praise the nostalgia but criticize $75 cavalry units. Classic GW pricing.
Warhammer Fantasy Battle FAQ
Is Warhammer Fantasy Battle still sold?
Not officially. Games Workshop discontinued it in 2015. You’ll find old stock on eBay or at flea markets. The new Warhammer: The Old World uses compatible rules.
Why did Games Workshop kill Warhammer Fantasy Battle?
Sales slumped due to high entry costs. Age of Sigmar simplified gameplay to attract younger players. Controversial move, but business-wise? Probably smart.
Can I use old models in Warhammer: The Old World?
Yes! Square-based armies transition perfectly. My 2005 Bretonnians work with the new rules. Huge relief for veterans.
How hard is painting 100+ models?
Tougher than it looks. My first 20 zombies took 15 hours. Now I batch-paint: base coats on 10 models at once. Still takes months per army.
Are tournaments still held for Warhammer Fantasy Battle?
Absolutely. Major events like the Las Vegas Open run "Old World" categories. Local tournaments happen monthly in most big cities.
Final Thoughts From a Grizzled Veteran
Warhammer Fantasy Battle isn't just a game – it's a commitment. The costs add up, the rules frustrate, and storage becomes a nightmare (I keep regiments in my oven during parties). But rolling dice as your dwarves hold a bridge against green-skinned hordes? Pure magic. If you love deep strategy and don’t mind slow games, dive in. Start small – grab a starter army off eBay, join a Discord group, and lose gloriously. Just avoid Skaven warpfire throwers near your new carpet.
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