The Old World

Warhammer: The Old World — Your Complete Guide

Warhammer: The Old World is Games Workshop's triumphant return to the World of Legend — the classic fantasy setting that captivated generations of players before the End Times. Released in January 2024, The Old World brings back the square-based formation battles, familiar factions and tactical depth that made the original Warhammer Fantasy Battles one of the most beloved miniature wargames ever created. Whether you're a veteran returning to an old love or a new player discovering this rich world for the first time, The Old World offers one of the most rewarding wargaming experiences available.

At Colours of Warriors, we stock the full Warhammer: The Old World range — core sets, army books, unit boxes and hobby supplies. Visit our store in Pilsen, Czech Republic, or order online with delivery across the EU.

The World of Legend — Setting and Lore

The Old World is set in a dark and dangerous fantasy world — a continent of great human kingdoms, ancient elven realms, subterranean dwarf holds and restless undead empires, all under constant threat from the forces of Chaos pressing down from the frozen north. It is a world of knights and wizards, of greenskin hordes and tomb-haunted deserts, of endless war and fleeting glory.

Unlike the mythical Mortal Realms of Age of Sigmar, the Old World feels grounded and historical — inspired by medieval Europe, ancient Egypt, Imperial China and classical fantasy literature. Every faction has centuries of lore, character and accumulated grudges. It is a world where history matters and every army carries the weight of legend.

Factions and Armies

Warhammer: The Old World currently features eight playable factions across three alliance groups:

Kingdom of Bretonnia — a chivalric kingdom of knights and peasants inspired by medieval France. Bretonnian armies are led by noble knights blessed by the Lady of the Lake, supported by peasant levies and the occasional Grail Knight returning from their sacred quest. A visually stunning army with excellent cavalry options and a strong narrative identity. The core set contains 76 miniatures including a Lord on Royal Pegasus, Knights of the Realm and Peasant Bowmen.

Empire of Man — the greatest human empire of the Old World, combining gunpowder and steel with magic and faith. Empire armies field a diverse mix of infantry regiments, artillery, cavalry and powerful wizards — the most tactically flexible faction in the game and an excellent choice for beginners who want to learn all aspects of the rules.

Tomb Kings of Khemri — the undead legions of the ancient desert empire, skeleton warriors and fearsome constructs marching under the command of immortal Liche Priests. One of the most visually distinctive armies in The Old World, with an Egyptian aesthetic unlike anything else in Warhammer. Their Undying Legions special rule makes them exceptionally durable — destroyed units regenerate during the game.

Warriors of Chaos — the corrupted champions of the Dark Gods, brutal warriors of the north clad in daemon-forged armour. Small in number but individually powerful, Warriors of Chaos reward aggressive tactics and close-combat focus. Their elite infantry and monstrous cavalry make them one of the most intimidating armies on the table.

Orc and Goblin Tribes — the ever-hungry greenskin hordes, combining sheer weight of numbers with unpredictable special rules and entertaining characters. Playing Orcs and Goblins means embracing chaos in the best possible way — things will go wrong, but in the most entertaining fashion.

Beyond these, the range also includes High Elf Realms, Wood Elf Realms and Grand Cathay — the dragon-blessed empire of the Far East, a new faction introduced with the return of the game.

How The Old World Plays — Formation Battle Wargaming

The Old World uses square bases and regiment trays — infantry and cavalry are ranked up in blocks, and manoeuvring these formations is central to the game. Wheeling to maximise your frontage, refusing a flank, angling a charge to avoid terrain — the tactical depth of The Old World comes from this classical formation wargaming that sets it apart from the round-based systems of Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40,000.

Combat resolution is decided not just by casualties but by a combination of factors — rank bonuses, standard bearers, outnumbering, who charged — making every engagement a calculation as well as a dice roll. It rewards planning and positioning above all else.

The Old World vs Age of Sigmar — What's the Difference?

Both are fantasy Warhammer games, but they feel fundamentally different. The Old World uses square bases and formation combat — regiments manoeuvre as units, flanks matter, and careful tactical positioning over multiple turns decides the battle. Age of Sigmar uses round bases and a more dynamic, action-oriented system where individual models activate and momentum shifts quickly.

The settings are also distinct — The Old World is the classic fantasy world destroyed at the End Times, while Age of Sigmar is set in the mythical Mortal Realms that replaced it. Many players collect both; the aesthetics and hobby experience are equally rewarding.

One significant advantage of The Old World for returning players: old Warhammer Fantasy Battles miniatures are fully compatible — if you have a collection from 6th, 7th or 8th edition WHFB, it works directly in The Old World without any modification.

How to Start Playing The Old World

The best starting point is one of the core sets — the Kingdom of Bretonnia Edition or the Empire of Man Edition. Each contains a complete army of 76 miniatures, the full Warhammer: The Old World rulebook, reference sheets, dice, measuring sticks and templates. Everything needed to start playing is in the box.

For players who want a specific faction, individual unit boxes are available for all factions, and each army has its own dedicated Army Book containing the complete rules, unit profiles and background for that faction. The Core Rules are also available as a standalone volume.

We recommend The Old World for players who enjoy tactical depth and careful planning. If you're new to miniature wargaming entirely, consider starting with Kill Team or Warhammer 40,000 Combat Patrol first to learn the fundamentals, then graduating to the larger battles of The Old World.

The Hobby Side — Assembling and Painting

The Old World miniatures are assembled on square bases and ranked into regiment trays — the visual impact of a fully painted regiment advancing across the table is one of the most satisfying sights in the hobby. Many players use magnetic bases to make removing casualties easier during play.

The standard painting approach follows three steps: Base (solid foundation colour), Shade (thin wash flowing into recesses) and Layer (highlight raised surfaces). For large infantry regiments, Army Painter Speedpaint or Citadel Contrast colours dramatically speed up the process without sacrificing visual quality.

You'll need clippers and plastic glue to assemble the miniatures, and magnets are highly recommended for basing regiment trays and removing casualties cleanly. We stock a full range of paints, brushes and modelling tools suited to The Old World projects.

Warhammer: The Old World at Colours of Warriors

We're a specialist hobby shop based in Pilsen, Czech Republic, stocking the full Warhammer: The Old World range — core sets, army books, individual unit boxes and all the hobby supplies you need to build and paint your army. Our store at Zbrojnická 116/2 is open Monday to Friday 13:00–18:00 and features a dedicated gaming area and Paint Zone where you can try painting before you buy. We ship across the Czech Republic and the EU.

Questions? Contact us at obchod@coloursofwarriors.com or +420 737 281 727.

Frequently Asked Questions — Warhammer: The Old World

Is The Old World a continuation of Warhammer Fantasy Battles?
The Old World is set in the same world as Warhammer Fantasy Battles but in a different time period — approximately 1,000 years before the events of the End Times. The rules are modernised and the game is designed as a standalone system, though veterans of WHFB will find many familiar elements. It is not a direct continuation of the 8th edition story.

Can I use my old Warhammer Fantasy Battles miniatures?
Yes — The Old World uses the same square bases as Warhammer Fantasy Battles and old models are fully compatible. This is one of the greatest advantages for returning players — existing collections can be used directly without any modification. If your old models are already on square bases, you're ready to play.

How much does it cost to start playing The Old World?
The core sets (Kingdom of Bretonnia Edition or Empire of Man Edition) provide the best starting value — they include 76 miniatures, the full rulebook and all gaming accessories for approximately €140–180. Adding basic paints, brushes and tools brings the total starting budget to approximately €180–220. See our full cost breakdown in How much does it cost to start Warhammer?

What is the difference between The Old World and Age of Sigmar?
The Old World uses square bases and formation combat — regiments manoeuvre as blocks, flanks matter and careful positioning decides battles. It rewards tactical planning over multiple turns. Age of Sigmar uses round bases and a more dynamic, action-oriented system. The Old World feels more like classical wargaming; AoS feels faster and more cinematic. Many players enjoy both.

Do I need an Army Book to play The Old World?
The core sets include introductory muster lists that allow you to start playing immediately. A full Army Book provides the complete rules for your faction — all unit profiles, special rules, magic items and background. It is strongly recommended once you move beyond beginner games, as it unlocks the full depth of your faction's options.

How long does a game of The Old World take?
A standard game typically takes 2–3 hours. The Old World is designed for dedicated gaming sessions rather than quick lunchtime games — the tactical depth of formation combat rewards careful play over the full length of a game. Smaller games using fewer points can be completed in 90 minutes.