Not all battles are the same – quite the opposite in fact – and the rules given in the following sections attempt to reflect this. This section is broken down into three parts, each covering the three main ways in which games of Warhammer: the Old World can be played. These are:

Pitched Battles

The most straightforward type of game. Two (or more) players decide to play a game, agree a points value for their armies and select a pitched battle scenario to play. Pitched battles allow for wellbalanced armies to meet and determine a victor with the minimum amount of fuss.

You will find six pitched battle scenarios. Each of these differs in terms of how armies are deployed and offers different objectives. By using these simple scenarios, you are assured a fun and balanced game that can be set up quickly and easily.

Campaign Battles

Linking games together, either by following an unfolding narrative or simply to find the most successful general within a group, is a great way to experience Warhammer: the Old World. Campaign battles often require more preparation and commitment from the players, but the rewards are worth the effort.

You will find simple rules and guidelines for linking your games together into a campaign. Future supplements will present far more in-depth campaign rules, from simple ladder campaigns, to map based campaigns and even unfolding quests and campaigns of conquest in which armies battle to complete objectives and earn rewards.

Narrative Battles

This is a very broad category, often also described as 'open play'. Each of the pitched battle scenarios includes rules for playing a historical recreation of a famous battle from the Warhammer world. These introduce the simplest form of narrative battle – one that recreates history. The challenge of such battles is to see if you could have led your forces to a different outcome than your imagined counterpart did in the history books of this fantasy realm.

You will find guidance on taking your narrative games further. This includes suggestions for plots and objectives, as well as more explanation of the role a 'games master' can play and how their presence can enhance the experience for everyone involved.