It’s been 18 months since Warhammer: The Old World landed with fanfare and fan theories.
Since then, we’ve seen full blocks of halberdiers return to the table, epic narrative events played out with plastic legions, and a growing community of players diving back into classic rank-and-flank action. Now, alongside the release of Grand Cathay, Games Workshop is launching a new Matched Play Guide and a major FAQ and errata. It’s a big shakeup—but one clearly aimed at keeping the game dynamic, balanced, and deeply engaging.
New Matched Play Guide Adds Tactical Depth
The new Matched Play Guide is more than a few side missions stitched together. This update offers nine full scenarios, with three built specifically for doubles play. It’s clear GW wants to push events and club nights beyond just “line up and kill.” Each scenario comes with layered scoring, including interchangeable objectives. You’ll fight over baggage trains, secure key terrain, and race for mysterious objectives representing ancient artefacts or hidden loot.
Even better, players can now draw secret objectives that remain hidden until game’s end. These missions push players to think outside the box and reward clever play. The goal here is clear: to add just as much narrative spice as competitive challenge. Whether you’re defending your wagon line or seizing a fallen ruin, these missions make the Old World feel more alive.
Magic Overhaul Brings More Balance
The errata takes a hard look at one of the most swingy parts of the game: magic. Previously, Level 4 Wizards had a commanding edge, dominating both the casting and dispelling phases. That’s now changed. Casting modifiers have been revised, and several high-level spells have had their casting values adjusted. The end result? Magic still matters, but it’s now more about risk and timing, and less about having the highest level wizard.
There are also tweaks to how magical vortexes work, clarifying movement and interaction. These changes shift the focus of magic from brute-force dominance to a more strategic role. Low-level casters can finally pull their weight, especially when combined with clever positioning or magical support.
Infantry Steps Back Into the Spotlight
Infantry, often seen as a tax to unlock more exciting units, is now looking a lot more appealing. The changes give basic troops with hand weapons and shields access to parry saves, and reward players with bonus combat resolution when they outnumber their foes. That’s a major shift in how combat resolution plays out, especially for armies with big blocks of reliable troops.
Additionally, more situations allow two ranks of models to fight, and units can now change weapons between rounds of combat. Some weapon profiles have also been tuned for clarity and effectiveness. Together, these shifts mean infantry isn’t just there to look good in formation—they’re a viable, flexible core around which armies can be built.
Subtle Tweaks That Add Up
Beyond the headline changes, there’s a suite of smaller fixes and improvements. Special rule wordings have been cleaned up to reduce ambiguity. Rules on how many models can fight from a rank are now more precise. A few points costs have been adjusted where necessary. It’s not flashy, but these updates show that GW is watching how players engage with the game—and responding accordingly.
With all nine core factions and their Arcane Journals out in the wild, this felt like the right moment to step back, recalibrate, and push the game forward. And even though this errata is fairly large, GW says they don’t plan to do another one of this scale anytime soon. But minor adjustments will continue as the game evolves.
Final Thoughts – The Old World Marches On
This update isn’t just a maintenance patch. It’s a carefully considered refinement of where The Old World stands today. The new scenarios breathe life into Matched Play. Magic feels more engaging without being overpowering. Infantry finally gets the love it deserves. And the smaller rules tweaks help tie it all together with a cleaner play experience.
If you’ve been on a break, this is the perfect time to return. And if you’ve been in the thick of it already? The game just got better. So sharpen those swords, adjust those unit trays, and get ready for a new chapter in the war for the Old World. The rules are tighter, the missions richer—and the future of the game looks brighter than ever.
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