With Knives of the Crone soon joining the Warhammer Underworlds lineup as the sixth warband of the edition, the design team has overhauled key rules, balance adjustments, and tournament guidelines — all now available for download.
Here’s a condensed walkthrough of everything you need to know.
General Rules Updates
Several system-wide updates smooth out gameplay. Melee and ranged attacks are now formally defined by Runemarks, not just range stats. Treasure Token placement rules clarify that at least one must be placed in neutral territory. The Underdog rule has shifted, triggering when your slain fighters have a greater Bounty value compared to your opponent’s — no longer tied to Glory Point totals — and if both are equal, no underdog is declared. Persisting Abilities found on Warscroll and Plot cards now last for the full game unless a rule says otherwise, cutting down on confusion.
Warband-Specific Adjustments
Many warbands get notable tweaks. Blackpowder’s Buccaneers see extra damage on Swag Blast and Swag Mortar, while Borgit’s Beastgrabbaz update Dregg’s attack profile with the correct ranged Runemark. The Crimson Court receives a major rework, replacing Savage Bloodlust with new hunger token-based abilities like the Curse, the Hunger, and Bloodthirst, altering Inspire conditions and linked abilities. Hexbane’s Hunters improve Loyal Hounds so the dogs can move even if they already have Move tokens.
For Da Kunnin Krew, fighters now inspire when slaying targets, and executing A Kunnin’ Plan is easier, needing only the leader on the field. Mollog’s Mob locks down the Stalagsquig, making it immovable unless slain. Grinkrak’s Looncourt tightens quest mechanics, only allowing abandonment during the Power step. The Sepulchral Guard gets more lenient Bone Shrapnel targeting and a revised Arise! resurrection, plus a new ability, Startling Reformation, letting the leader collapse and reform near allies. The Thricefold Discord shifts Evasive to a Surge ability tied to targeting token-free fighters.
Lastly, Zarbag’s Gitz only inspire after they earn more Glory Points than friendly fighters in play, and their squigs now can’t delve or hold Treasure Tokens thanks to the new Too Bouncy! rule.
Deck & Organised Play Updates
On the deck side, only Countdown to Cataclysm changes, making progress steps along the Cataclysm track mandatory. For Nemesis format Organised Play, several cards have been moved to Restricted status — including Bladecatcher (formerly Forsaken) and Delving for Wealth, Illusory Fighter, Mobbed!, Spread Havoc, and Supremacy.
Tournament Pack Updates
Tournament Organisers will notice a few clarifications in the Organised Play pack, particularly about tracking who went first in a battle round and clear recommendations for assigning territories in best-of-three matches.
Get Ready
You can now download all these updates — including the Rules Update, Tournament Companion, and Organised Play Formats — from Warhammer Community to stay current and ready for your next game or event
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
