Warmaster is a set of fantasy miniatures wargame rules developed by the same company as produced Warhammer, Warhammer 40,000 and Lord of the Rings miniatures rules. This is not a complete game; players are required to independantly purchase miniatures and construct a playing surface (wargames terrain). The game is scaled for 10mm miniatures (1:144, N Scale), and is designed to represent combat at the regiment and brigade level set in a fantasy/renaissance techology world.
In Warmaster, combat and casualty calculations occur at the stand level. That is, for every stand in a unit, a number of dice are rolled in combat. As whole stands are removed by sustaining casualties, the number of dice similalry decreases.
The command mechanism in Warmaster is simple but evocative. Each leader model has a Command factor. To issue a command, such as 'move forward' to a unit, two dice must be rolled against that target command factor. For every subsequent order attempted the target number becomes more difficult to achieve. As a consequence, despite being on the surface a move-counter move system, the turns are variable length and each player may not have the full opportunity to achieve everything they may want to. This simple mechanism introduces enjoyable tension into what is otherwise a largely conventional set of wargame rules.
Expanded by:
Warmaster Annual 2002
Warmaster Annual 2003
Warmaster Armies
Re-implemented by:
Warmaster Ancients
The Battle of Five Armies
Supported by the Warmaster magazine.
- miniatures combat and army-scale warfare
- fantasy/grim dark battles
- thematic skirmish wargaming
- Dungeons & Dragons
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Miniatures combat — large-scale tabletop battles with unit-based rules and dice.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- i'm going to tell you how the board game industry works and how much money you can expect to make
- a physical presence on the high street is expensive and footfall is decreasing as shoppers move online
- youtube influencers play a big role in shifting toys and games
- board game geek was founded at the turn of the century and quickly became a central hub for all things related to tabletop gaming
- it's a sphere almost as saturated as the board game market itself so it's not easy
- i'm a dentist
References (from this video)
- Immersive and highly customizable for hobbyists who enjoy painting and modeling.
- Can be expensive and complex, with a steep time commitment.
- Miniatures-based tactical skirmishes and large-scale battles.
- Warhammer fantasy battles universe, grimdark fantasy.
- Thematic, narrative-rich miniature combat with customization and campaign options.
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Miniatures-based skirmish — Physical miniatures on a tabletop with dice-driven combat.
- Pattern Movement — Strategic positioning and unit abilities drive outcomes.
- Tactical movement and formation — Strategic positioning and unit abilities drive outcomes.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- never socializing outside the hobby
- this isn't about him anymore this is about one day waking up to a world where board gamers are accepted by society
- remember just don't be yourself tell him how fun it is to play as a 17th century farmer in agricola
- let's play star wars rebellion with him
- for Risk Legacy
- remember that guy we invited round to play Game of Thrones after five hours he started crying
- i play a lot of warhammer