You’re probably at least somewhat familiar with the Warhammer universe. Even those who may have never sat down to play a Warhammer game know the dark, war-torn atmosphere of the genre.
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (WFRP) gamers since the 1980s with its distinctive approach to fantasy roleplaying – placing players as lowly rat catchers, apprentice wizards, or down-on-their-luck nobles thrust into adventures they’re woefully unprepared for.
It’s a “just survive” approach to gaming that has earned the game a dedicated following among roleplayers who want something darker and more challenging than standard fantasy RPGs.
But is it right for you? And what are the basics of the Warhammer rule system?
What Is The Warhammer RPG System?
The Warhammer RPG system has a vast library of games that are set across two distinct universes. You can either play in the fantasy Old World and the far-future, science-fiction setting of Warhammer 40,000.
While the settings differ dramatically, both share dark themes and stores built around moral complexity.
The flagship game, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, is currently in its fourth edition. This version returns to the percentile-based mechanics that defined the game’s earliest editions.
The overall 40K universe is served by multiple systems, including the current Wrath & Glory (using a d6 dice pool system) and Imperium Maledictum (which adopts a percentile system similar to WFRP).
Core Mechanics of Warhammer RPG
The Percentile System (WFRP)
At the heart of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay is its percentile dice system. There are two dice used, and success is dependent on rolling related to a character’s Characteristic or Skill.
- Players roll two ten-sided dice (d10s) to generate a number from 1 to 100
- Success requires rolling equal to or under your relevant Characteristic or Skill
- In 4th Edition, rolling 01-05 is always a success, while 96-00 is always a failure
- Success Levels (SL) measure how well you succeeded or failed, calculated by comparing the tens digit of your target number and your roll
This makes for a system where even skilled characters can fail catastrophically in key moments. We love that some seemingly impossible tasks can randomly succeed through sheer luck, which always adds a bit of fun to the mix of a more gritty story.
Careers Instead of Classes
Rather than traditional RPG classes, Warhammer uses a career system to drive character development across games. Characters progress through various careers (Rat Catcher, Soldier, Witch Hunter, etc.), and each career comes with different skills, talents, and equipment options.
Characters can move between careers as they advance, which can make for some pretty diverse development paths, and the rags-to-power storyline focus lets players get creative in how they craft.
Combat and Danger
Combat in Warhammer is intentionally dangerous and often best avoided. In the beginning, most characters are fragile, and even small fights can prove deadly.
The 4th Edition introduces the Advantage system, which allows players to gain the upperhand in situations with successful actions that grant bonuses. Damage is calculated based on weapon stats, Strength, and Success Levels, and is reduced by the defender’s Toughness and armor.
This approach to combat means players have to be a bit more strategic in their planning. Hack-and-slash efforts won’t cut it, and often confrontation is a last resort.
Magic and Religion
It’s not all guerilla warfare. There are magical and divine elements of Warhammer as well, which gives a bit more flavor to the experience:
- Magic is divided into different lores or schools, each with distinctive effects
- Spellcasting carries significant risks of miscasts and corruption
- Religion plays a central role, with different deities offering various benefits to their followers
- Faith provides both mechanical benefits and rich roleplaying opportunities
Why Play Warhammer RPG?
Immersive Dark Fantasy Setting
Few game worlds are as richly detailed as Warhammer’s Old World. With years of development under its belt, the Old World takes inspiration from late medieval and early Renaissance Europe. It gives plenty of room for GMs to create their own stories and adventures, while still providing a solid foundation filled with lore and history.
Meaningful Character Progression
Advancement in Warhammer feels both earned and significant: Characters develop gradually through experience and career changes. Skills and talents represent practical abilities rather than abstract powers.
Even advanced characters remain vulnerable to the dangers of the world. Success arises from player ingenuity instead of character statistics.
Moral Complexity
One of our favorite elements of Warhammer is how to throws out the concept of simple morality in favor of difficult choices.
- Characters often face situations with no clear “right” answer
- Corruption and mutation can affect even the most virtuous heroes
- Institutions meant to protect the innocent are often corrupt or dogmatic
- Good intentions frequently lead to unforeseen consequences
These moral quandaries make for some pretty interesting storytelling opportunities that will push players to make choices they may not otherwise make – but have to in order to survive the harsh world.
Top Warhammer RPG Titles To Try
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay Core Rulebook (4th Edition)
This is the rulebook if you are looking for your starting point in exploring the Old World, and it contains everything needed to begin adventures in the Empire and beyond. With detailed rules for character creation, careers, magic, religion, and combat, it offers a great introduction to the world of Warhammer Fantasy.
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay: High Elf Player’s Guide
This supplement delves into the ancient and powerful High Elves for those seeking to play something unique.
In this game, you explore the high elf homeland of Ulthuan, learn their culture and history, and try out new careers like the Swordmaster and Shadow Warrior. The book also introduces fascinating mechanics for elven characters, including prophetic dreams, obsessions, and the spiritual balance known as Yenlui.
Warhammer 40,000: Wrath & Glory, Darktide: Extraction
For those interested in the grimdark future of the 41st millennium, this adventure takes players far into the future, particularly the world of the popular Darktide video game. As agents of the mysterious Inquisitor Grendyl, players must descend into the Snakestack, a lost region of Hive Tertium, to retrieve an ancient cogitator.
Face the Darkness in Warhammer RPG and DriveThruRPG
With its lethal combat and a morally complex world, the Warhammer RPG system creates stories that feel genuinely tense and rewarding. Plus, once you learn the basics of the system, you can take your gameplay from Old World to the far future.Check out our complete collection of Warhammer RPG titles on DriveThruRPG today and see for yourself why Warhammer has stayed so popular for so long. Remember, in the world of Warhammer, heroes aren’t born. They’re forged through fire, steel, and courage in the face of overwhelming darkness.
