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When are the events of Warhammer: The Old World set? around 2276 of the Imperial Calendar—around 250 years before the main events of the original Warhammer Fantasy, which occurred between 2500 and 2525. So it’s earlier than the Storm of Chaos, Emperor Karl Franz’s reign, and so on.

There isn’t much background or lore for Old World yet—Games Workshop hasn’t gone all in here—but here are some key ideas:

The rest is business as usual: Wood Elves guarding their forest, Beasts, Orcs, and Chaos attacking wherever they can, Dark Elves being salty pirates in Naggaroth, and Lizardmen chilling in Lustria.

The Empire is not unified—there are four kingdoms competing for the throne.

Louen, the Bretonnian king, is alive. Bretonnia is united and strong (take notes, Empire players).

The High Elves are reopening trade relations with humans after their civil war mess.

Settra and the Tomb Kings are going all-out to conquer territory and are attacking Bretonnia.

The Skaven are in a civil war underground and keeping a low profile. Most people think they’re a myth.

If you’re coming from another game, the next section compares Old World to the most common alternatives (like 40k and AoS) to give you a general idea.

If you want to dive into the mechanics, there are YouTube channels with battle reports (warhhammer the old world gameplay), and let’s be honest—you can easily find the rulebook online (wink wink).

Keep in mind that at the end of June 2025, the rules changed drastically, so if you’re watching pre-recorded games, make sure to check the upload date and skip any that were played using the previous ruleset if your goal is to learn.

In Warhammer The Old World 1.5, there are no secondary missions each turn and no double turns. If that doesn’t convince you to try the game, I don’t know what will. Seriously though, let’s compare a few key elements:

And finally, let’s not forget: square and rectangular bases—loved by some, dreaded by others.

AoS doesn’t use ranked formations or movement restrictions by ranks. Units move individually without defined formations. Old World brings back rank & file with front, flanks, and rear.

In AoS, attacks resolve with fixed values (e.g., 3+ to hit, 4+ to wound, no matter the opponent). In TOW, you use comparative tables (WS vs WS to hit, S vs T to wound) and more modifiers (armor, cover, position, etc.). AoS is faster and more beginner-friendly, while TOW is tactically and mathematically deeper—like old-school Warhammer.

In TOW, there’s no alternating unit activation. If you have higher Initiative, you strike first. Period.

There are fewer interactions during the opponent’s turn (although you can cast certain spells or shoot in reaction to charges).

Faction structure is different. Some units exist in both games (like Night Goblins or Dark Elves from Cities of Sigmar), but others are unique to each (no Idoneth in TOW). At least you don’t have to see Stormcasts—that’s always a plus (You can find old world faction tier list in the first answered question BTW).

AoS doesn’t use point percentage systems; it uses unit roles. Warhammer Old World 1.5 uses percentages for each type of unit (e.g., no more than 50% on characters) and allows a lot more customization—like exact model count and equipment options.

TOW doesn’t have yearly handbook updates. The meta evolves as new factions are released, just like in classic Warhammer Fantasy.

You can’t save on a 1+. Maximum is 2+, and fewer models reach that level.

Magic lores are different and there’s no dedicated magic phase. Spells are cast in the corresponding phase (movement spells in the movement phase, for example). It’s similar to how Khemri cast spells in 6th edition.

Spells are still mostly random, with one signature spell per lore.

In June 2025, Games Workshop dropped the 1.5 update as a set of ‘errata’, but it basically overhauled the entire game. Core troops have become a lot more important in army lists now, since they’re the ones that actually score points in the new missions. Along with the updated scenarios, this has completely shaken up the meta

Deathstars and magic are less dominant (no more dwellers from below and similar nonsense).

The abuse of light cavalry marching across the board, shooting 360º, dodging charges, rallying and repeating the cycle has been curbed.

Bases are generally larger. If you have a 8th edition army, you can buy base adapters (or just cut a cardboard square to the right size and go for it).

Charges are no longer 2D6 + movement. It’s the highest of the two dice (or lowest with -1 in difficult terrain) + movement.

New rules like Countercharge exist, and some old rules (like Frenzy) work a bit differently.

You won’t see tons of models dying, and usually you won’t even get to hit the second or third rank — though with the 1.5 rules update, infantry now fights in two ranks if they didn’t charge.

In this blog Warhammer comparisons are usually made with 6th edition cause it’s the most iconic to me, but I played 8th too.

40k has bolters. TOW doesn’t.

That alone sets them apart—but here’s a deeper comparison:

Fewer interactions during the opponent’s turn (forget Overwatch, though some spells and charge reactions exist).

TOW brings back formations and more complex movement mechanics; in 40k, models move individually within units without defined formation.

No stratagems or Command Point spending. There are skills and magic, but they work differently.

Same turn structure—6 turns each, alternating. No double turns.

Melee and decisive charges dominate TOW (though there are shooters and artillery, their role is supportive).

In June 2025, Games Workshop dropped the 1.5 update as a set of ‘errata’, but it basically overhauled the entire game. Core troops have become a lot more important in army lists now, since they’re the ones that actually score points in the new missions. Along with the updated scenarios, this has completely shaken up the meta

Both games categorize units (core/special/rare in TOW; troops/elite/heavy support in 40k).

40k is the most popular miniature wargame globally; Old World is just getting started.

WS and S/T tables in TOW resemble early editions of 40k.

No 1+ saves. 2+ max, and fewer models reach it.

Charging doesn’t automatically grant first strike, though it gives a big Initiative boost.

You can measure any distance, and charges are partly random.

Panic is less abusive, and Terror doesn’t force mass checks within 6”.

Magic lores are different, no fixed magic phase, and spell variety is greater.

Random spell generation remains (plus a signature spell per lore).

Light cavalry abuse is heavily nerfed.

Bases are slightly larger overall. If you’ve got a 6th ed army, there are size adapters (or DIY with cardboard).

Infantry units are more solid than they were back in 6th edition (though not all of them), and with the June 2025 1.5 rules update, having strong blocks of core infantry is super important — which is exactly what we always wanted — because otherwise, you won’t score in most missions or secondary objectives.

The whole herohammer or pokehammer playstyle has been toned down a lot.

New rules like Countercharge exist, and some old rules work differently (e.g., Frenzy).