INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the exhilarating world of Warcry, a thrilling skirmish-style tabletop game set in the Age of Sigmar universe from Games Workshop. Designed for new and veteran gamers alike, this game uniquely fuses distinctive lore, strategic planning, and intense battlefield action. Whether you’re just dipping your toes into war-gaming or exploring Warcry as an experienced tabletop enthusiast, this beginner-friendly guide is here to help. Today, we’re going to launch you into the savage, post-apocalyptic world of Warcry and provide the tools you’ll need to become a formidable warlord commanding your own Warband.
WHAT IS WARCRY?
Warcry is a fast-paced, action-packed miniature table-top game produced by Games Workshop—the creators of other iconic games like Warhammer 40,000 and the larger Age of Sigmar from which Warcry hails. In this game, you become the Warband leader, commanding diverse units of hardened fighters known as Chaos Warbands. These Warbands come from across the Mortal Realms, each with distinct playstyles, abilities, and lore, providing an immersive experience in a post-apocalyptic fantasy universe.
Playing Warcry involves strategic unit movements, careful positioning, tactical combat, and much more—all dictated through player-made decisions and the roll of dice. It’s like playing a game of fast-paced chess, with the added bonus of monstrous creatures and mystic sorceries.
HOW IT WORKS OR HOW TO GET STARTED
Setup for Warcry involves four simple steps:
Step 1: Assemble Your Warband – Warbands are made from a distinct selection of fighters, each with their unique range of abilities. Warbands can vary in size, and constructing yours will depend on personal strategies, lore, and rule constraints.
Step 2: Set the Battlefield – Warcry is played on a 22 by 30 inches terrain board. The game comes with multi-level terrain structures that can significantly affect gameplay and influence your tactics.
Step 3: Determine the Battle Plan – This involves uncovering the scenario for the battle (the Deployment), the battle objective (the Victory), and any unique twists that may add extra rules or effects on that game (the Twist).
Step 4: Play – Players take turns activating their fighters, moving, attacking, or using abilities until a victory condition is met.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY
To start your Warcry journey, you’ll need the Warcry Starter Set, which includes everything for two players to start their battles. This consists of two Warbands, a rulebook, game boards, dice, game cards, and terrain. To expand or customize your Warband, Games Workshop offers individual Warband boxes. Additionally, investing in a good set of hobby tools and paints will enhance your experience by allowing you to create more personalized units.
TIPS FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
1. Start with the Core Rules: Thoroughly read and understand the core rules of the game. They provide the groundwork for your gaming experience.
2. Learning Battle Plans: Getting a grasp of varied Battle Plans is crucial for effective strategy planning.
3. Master Your Warband: Each Warband has unique abilities. Learning to use your Warband effectively is key.
4. Terrain Matters: Use terrain features wisely; they can provide advantages or disadvantages in the battle.
5. Practice: Most importantly, practice. Nothing beats hands-on experience.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Games Workshop’s website offers a plethora of guides and FAQs for Warcry. For video tutorials, Warhammer TV on YouTube is a go-to choice. Community platforms like Reddit’s r/Warcry and various Discord channels harbor active discussions and advice from fellow players. Tools like BattleScribe can help manage your Warband lists.
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED
1. Warband: Your troop of fighters with unique abilities.
2. Dice: Tools used to determine outcomes based on probability.
3. Deployment: The scenario for the battle.
4. Victory: The objective of the battle.
5. Twist: Additional rules or effects on a game.
NEXT STEPS: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
Now that you have the basics down, it’s time to delve deeper into the thrilling world of Warcry. Consider heading over to Games Workshop’s site to purchase your first Warcry set or visit a local hobby shop to get a feel of the game. Embarking on this journey, remember it gets even more exciting and rewarding as you delve deeper. Happy gaming!
