Hello all, the delinquent Phat J here to talk about Ye Olde The Old World release, Battle March!
Some of you may be asking, where the heck has old Phat J been? It’s been weeks since we’ve read his drivel. Only the works of Sam, the lonely FLG author, have kept us sustained. Well, frankly it’s none of your business, thank you very much. Why don’t you go get a hobby instead of checking FLG’s website, day after day, hour after hour, HOPING to see a new PHAT drop? Huh? I actually do like that name though, Phat Drop. Phat J’s Phat Droppings? It’s a working title.
Anyways, since I’ve last graced you all’s (yall’s?) with my content, Games Workshop has released a fun little supplement for The Old World, titled Battle March. They also released AMAZING new sculpts for the Warriors of Chaos, which you can purchase at a discount from our good friends at FLG HERE. Battle March basically brings a formal way to play The Old World at a smaller point level, specifically 400 and 750 pts. It modifies certain force building restrictions such as 0-1 choices and unit sizes, i.e no unit can have a unit strength higher than 20, etc. The board size is also restricted to a play space no larger that 36×48″. Basically, Battle March can be used as a good way to get new people into the game. Showing someone your 2000 point The Old World army and going over the complex rules is a great way for them to scream in horror, accuse you of being a ‘phat chud’ as the kids say, and running right out of the game store never to return. 750 points? Much more manageable. Heck, Games Workshop is even selling pre-made Battle March sized armies? GO FIGURE. Now, the rules themselves are available free, as a PDF download from the Warhammer Community Page. There is a Battle March book for sale, but it’s mostly sold out at this point and really only includes some scenario rules for a specific battle, Axe Bite Pass, between the Empire and Orks and Goblins. For $30 I don’t think that is unreasonable and if you can actually find a copy I’d say sure why not. They’ve also added in fun little narrative things that have to do with terrain, such as a random troll popping up and attacking units. A 750 point game should also take no more than an hour, making it such a small investment on your time. Time is valuable, and getting together once a week for an hour or two is a breath of fresh air.
Having an official, supported version of the smaller scale game will encourage game stores and groups to adopt slow grow leagues where the entry point is MUCH lower and more manageable. For me, I’m a collector. I like to gather small amounts of each army. Having a small, 750 point force for each faction is something that appeals to me. I can schedule games with my local opponents and try new match ups. If I really take to an army I can expand on it, going up to 1000 points by adding another unit or two. Going all in for a 2000 or more point army is just so daunting. It’s an issue with 40k, in that everyone INSISTS on playing 2000 point games, which is a TON of models and takes 3 to 4 hours to play. 40K does not have an official, smaller scale competitive format at the moment. If they came up with a 1k point version with army build restrictions I would be all in on that. With Battle March, in the immortal words of Big Nasty B from Life After the Cover Save, you just ‘pull it out, and play with it.’
I applaud Games Workshop’s ongoing support for the Old World. I know its not the highest priority for them, but I truly enjoy the game and the setting. Yes, 40K will ALWAYS take precedence, and honestly I am enjoying 11th edition so far. To see new sculpted Chaos Warriors, the release of a new two-headed Chaos Dragon, and now an actual physical release of a Battle March book makes me confident that the NEW Old World is unlikely to be blown up any time soon.
On a final note, could you do a brother a solid and use my affiliate link when making your purchases with Frontline Gaming? Look, I gift these guys with my VALUABLE time when writing these article and I deserve a slice, right? I’m not asking for much! Just give me your money. What’s so hard about that? Plus you get a discount on almost ALL Games Workshop products. Its a win for both of us! Lord knows I need that money.
