INTRODUCTION
Hello, folks! Welcome to our beginner-friendly guide on Warcry, an exciting skirmish tabletop game developed by Games Workshop. Warcry is set in the darkest corner of Warhammer Age of Sigmar’s universe and offers a completely fresh experience. If you’re a fan of fantasy combat or even a newcomer looking to dip their toes in the wargaming scene, you’re in for a thrilling journey. The best part? This guide has everything you need, whether you’re just picking up your first set of dice or dusting off an old set after a long hiatus.
WHAT IS WARCRY?
Warcry is a skirmish wargame set in the backdrop of Warhammer Age of Sigmar, a world filled with mystical beasts, bravest warriors, and dreadful undead. Unlike its sibling, Warhammer Age of Sigmar, Warcry focuses on smaller battles with fewer miniatures involved, letting you closely lead your warband into skirmishes, survival missions, and, of course, glorious victories!
In Warcry, different factions from all over the Age of Sigmar vie for control. Every game unfolds a thrilling narrative linked to the struggle for power, and as the game progresses, your warriors grow stronger, unlocking skills and abilities. As can be expected from Games Workshop, the miniatures’ quality is top tier, detailed, and suits avid hobbyists who love assembling, painting, and displaying their troops.
HOW IT WORKS/HOW TO START
Getting started with Warcry isn’t at all daunting. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. CHOOSE YOUR FACTION: There are multiple factions – Iron Golems, the Untamed Beasts, and Night Haunt, to name a few. Each has its unique aesthetic, lore, strengths, and weaknesses.
2. ASSEMBLE YOUR WARBAND: A Warband typically consists of 4-15 fighters. Choose wisely, as every fighter has its specialties!
3. DECIPHER THE BATTLE PLAN: Warcry uses a unique battle plan system that determines your objective, deployment, and game twist for each skirmish.
4. PLACEMENT: Place your fighters on the battlefield according to the deployment map.
5. START PLAYING: The game is divided into ‘battle rounds’; each round has several phases. In general, a turn starts with the hero phase, followed by the move, attack, and end phase.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY
To begin playing Warcry, you’ll need the following:
1. WARCRY STARTER SET: This includes dice, two warbands (Iron Golems and Untamed Beasts), a rulebook, game board, tokens, and terrain. It’s a one-and-done purchase with everything needed for a full-fledged Warcry experience!
2. MINIATURE PAINTS AND BRUSHES: An integral part of the Warcry experience is painting your miniatures. A basic set of acrylic model paints and brushes should get you started.
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
1. Don’t rush to buy every box of each faction you see. Get familiar with one or two factions first.
2. Read the rules and learn with a friend. It makes understanding the game much easier.
3. Spend time visualizing your strategy before moving your models.
4. Remember, Warcry isn’t about “winning at all costs.” It’s a narrative game; enjoy the story that unfolds!
5. Familiarize yourself with different abilities of your warband.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
For further learning and in-depth exploration, check out the Warcry subreddit (r/Warcry), the official Games Workshop website, and Warhammer Community site. For painting tutorials and game strategies, “Warhammer TV” and “Tabletop Minions” on YouTube are great channels.
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED
1. FIGHTERS: Miniatures representing your warriors.
2. WARCRY CARDS: Every Warband has a set of cards showcasing abilities, stats, and skills.
3. BATTLE PLAN: Dictates the setup of the game.
4. ACTIVATION: The act of moving or attacking with a model.
5. DOUBLE, TRIPLE, QUAD: Referring to the number of matching dice resulting in an ability.
NEXT STEPS: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
Ready to dive into the action? Get your hands on a Warcry Starter Set and paint your first warband. Recruit a friend for your first skirmish, and soon you’ll be creating epic tales of heroism and betrayal, all while having a blast. Remember, this game gets easier and more fun the more you play. Get going, the Warcry worlds await!
