INTRODUCTION
Imagine a world of fierce warriors, mythical creatures, and skirmishes taking place in an awe-inspiring, fantasy setting. Welcome to Warcry, a fast-paced tabletop miniatures game by Games Workshop that has captivated countless fans around the world. This beginner-friendly guide will help you embark on your journey into the Mortal Realms of Age of Sigmar, whether you’re completely new or returning after a long departure. Stick with us and you’ll be leading your warband to victory in no time!
WHAT IS WARCRY?
Warcry is a standalone skirmish game set in Games Workshop’s Age of Sigmar universe, a world teeming with legends and lore. Unlike big battles in Warhammer Age of Sigmar, Warcry focuses on smaller, faster skirmishes between warbands in the Varanspire, the stronghold of the dark god Archaon.
The game is beloved for its streamlined rules, dynamic, cinematic combat, and the way it encourages narratives that make your warriors heroes…or casualties. If you enjoy stories of valor, tactics, and fantasy warfare, Warcry is the perfect game to explore.
HOW IT WORKS/HOW TO GET STARTED
Playing Warcry involves assembling a warband of fighters and using their unique abilities to achieve victory in tactical combats against your opponents. Here are the basic steps to starting a game:
1. Choose your Warband: Warcry features various warbands, each with its own flavor, aesthetic, and playstyle. Some are best at close combat, while others excel in magical or ranged attacks.
2. Setup Your Battlefield: Use the game cards to set up terrain and challenge objectives for your match.
3. Roll off to See Who Goes First: This determines who has the initiative in the game and can significantly impact your strategy.
4. Taking Turns: Players alternate turns, activating one fighter at a time. During your turn, fighters can typically move, attack, or perform special actions.
5. Victory: Games are won by completing the assigned objectives, usually involving strategic territory control or vanquishing enemy fighters.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY
The Warcry Starter Set is the perfect entry point. It includes everything you need: two Warbands (the Iron Golems and the Untamed Beasts), a set of terrain, rulebooks, dice, cards for game setup, and a game board. Although not essential, additional purchases can enhance your gaming experience, such as new warbands, terrain sets, and the updated Warcry: Catacombs box, which adds dungeon battles to your games.
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
1. Start with a Starter Set: This comes with everything you need and provides great value.
2. Learn the Basic Rules: Familiarize yourself with the most necessary rules first.
3. Paint Your Miniatures: Painting is a big part of the hobby. Start simple and build your skills over time.
4. Use Tactics that Suit Your Warband: Every warband plays differently. Learn your warband’s strengths and weaknesses to develop a strategy.
5. Practice: The key to mastering Warcry, or any game, is to play many games. Don’t feel down if you lose; each defeat can become a lesson leading to victory next time.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Consider joining the Warcry subreddit or Discord server to engage with fellow players, ask questions, and gain insights. YouTube introduces many helpful gameplay walkthroughs, and websites like AoS Shorts provide quick rule guides. Tools like the Warband Builder on the Warcry website can also be a great help in planning your games.
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED
1. Warband: A group of fighters you manage and control in a game.
2. Battleplan: The scenario or rules for the particular game you’re playing.
3. Activation: The process of taking your turn to move or act with a fighter.
4. Abilities: Special tactics your fighters can use during a game.
5. Dice: Used to resolve actions and events within the game, such as determining hit or damage outcomes.
NEXT STEPS
Armed with the basics of Warcry, consider purchasing a Starter Set, assembling your first warband, and taking it into the fray. Remember, winning is fun, but every game is also a chance to learn, experiment, and enjoy the epic narrative unfolding between your fighters. The world of Warcry is vast and rich, and each session is another chapter in your personal saga. So, brave warrior, are you ready to fight for glory in the Mortal Realms?
