Video Summary - Warhammer: The Old World | The New Rulebook

Product reviewed

Warhammer: The Old World — New Rulebook (with updates to replace/absorb prior FAQs and Arcane Journals content).

Key changes / features called out

Mostly the same core book content, with:
- New/updated artwork and layout changes throughout (much of the “difference” is visual rather than rules text).
- Slightly updated cover artwork, including:
  - Updated dates
  - Cathayan dragon on the front
  - Chaos dragon updated (previously thought to have been a manticore on the older cover)
  - Possible question about a Norsca shield vs a Chaos Marauder shield detail.
- Slightly updated map (compared to earlier versions/online map, with added details from ongoing releases).
Kislev naming update
- “Bokha” name change highlighted as a major standout.
Blue removed early in the book
- First pages no longer use a blue color scheme/border (other than that, described as effectively identical at first glance).
Artwork/credits removed/updated
- Removal of Creative Assembly artwork credit for Cathay.
- “Forgeworld” text replaced with warhammer.com.
Arcane Journal alignment
- Lore/section artwork for factions (Empire/Bretonnia/Wood Elves/High Elves/Dwarfs) is presented as replacing older full-color art with newer Arcane Journal-style art.
- Some faction artwork appears reorganized (e.g., text boxes being reformatted/moved to fit art).
Chaos God names adjusted
- Updated names match Marauder’s Arcane Journal terminology (e.g., “Bloody Hand,” “Carrion Crow,” “Slithering Serpent,” “Fell Raptor”).
- Reasoning given:
  - Possible business/IP split motivation
  - Lore motivation (Chaos is “at a low ebb,” and names reflect contemporary understanding).
Cathay added more thoroughly to the rulebook
- Previously used older Creative Assembly Cathay artwork; now Grand Cathay artwork appears.
- Extra pages/lore reallocated within the same overall page count to fit Cathay content.
Not a full rules rewrite
- The rules are largely unchanged. The author suggests a reordering/rewrite would be needed for a “best” version, but that’s likely for a future second edition.

Battlemarch update (big gameplay-adjacent add)

Battlemarch is added as proper content (no need to buy the separate Arcane Journal for it anymore).
It’s specifically “Battlemarch plus”, compared to the version mentioned as included in Settra’s Fury.

Changes and additions include:

Core Battlemarch structure is similar, but:
- Expanded scale referenced as going from roughly 450 to 750 (author notes earlier steps: 500 → 600-odd).
- New/changed battlefield objectives:
  - Renamed/shifted to a more detailed scoring system using:
    - Treasures and Landmarks tables
    - Strategic landmarks placement rules (constraints and unusual properties described by the author)
- Tables are back for narrative/casual play (author highlights examples like “magic in the air” and “righteous zeal”).
- Deployment maps increased:
  - From 3 (in War of Settra’s Fury) to 6:
    - Pitch Battle
    - Close Encounter
    - Opposed Flanks
    - Meeting Engagement
    - Mountain Pass
    - Outflank
- Victory conditions adjusted slightly:
  - Still includes elements like dead or fled, but now references updated pages
  - Adds/uses treasure troves and strategic landmarks in scoring.
Narrative scenario cuts
- Three narrative scenarios from the main rulebook are said to be removed to make room for the Battlemarch/Battlemarch plus section.
- The author suggests narrative play has shifted toward the Arcane Journals.

Removals / what feels worse (cons)

Battlefield terrain examples removed
- The author notes missing terrain example visuals as “sad” and “nostalgic” for people who liked those older reference illustrations.
More “art changes” than substantive differences
- Repeated observation that much is reformatting + artwork replacement, so existing rule owners may feel it’s not worth it unless they care about collection/aesthetic/lore additions.
Possible rules organization issue
- Mentions an “order problem” in how rules are presented, wishing for a better rearrangement (but not expecting it until second edition).

Pros (what the reviewer likes)

Good for new players
- If you’re starting and don’t already own the latest rulebook + all FAQs, it’s positioned as a worthwhile single purchase.
- Reduces reliance on separate printed FAQ sheets (“less bits of paper to print out”).
Collector value
- Author intends to keep both versions:
  - A “pristine” older copy
  - A newer updated copy for minor art changes + extra Cathay lore.
Battlemarch convenience
- Getting Battlemarch (plus) in the core rulebook is treated as a major improvement.

Comparison made in the video

Old rulebook + inserted FAQs vs the new rulebook
- Reviewer’s stance: if you already own the old rulebook and updated FAQs, there may be little reason to buy (mostly artwork + minor changes).
War of Settra’s Fury vs this Battlemarch update
- This book’s Battlemarch plus is described as containing more than what was in Settra’s Fury.
Arcane Journals content vs rulebook
- The new rulebook is portrayed as absorbing/reflecting Arcane Journal art and updates more fully, especially for Cathay and terminology/lore presentation.

Overall user experience (how it “feels”)

The reviewer frames the experience as:
- Almost identical layout for long stretches
- Differences appear mostly as:
  - art replacements
  - slight reformatting
  - extra lore pages for Cathay
  - and the added Battlemarch plus section
The author notes they didn’t do full word-for-word verification due to non-digital format and time, implying most text is presumed unchanged unless reflowed around new art.

Numerical scores / ratings

No explicit star ratings or review scores mentioned.

Unique points mentioned (consolidated list)

New rulebook is slightly thicker, but page count same as old (paper stock change).
Cover art updates: dragons (Cathayan + updated Chaos dragon).
Possible shield detail on cover (Norsca vs Chaos Marauder shield).
Front artwork updated to reflect Arcane Journals releases.
Map is slightly updated.
Early pages’ blue border removed.
Removal of old Creative Assembly artwork credit for Cathay; “Forgeworld” replaced with warhammer.com.
Layout changes due to reflow around new artwork (some text boxes moved).
No major Dark Elf removal—possibly just layout change.
Faction internal pages: full-color art replaced (Empire/Bretonnia/Wood Elves/High Elves/Dwarfs).
Kislev name change highlighted: Bokha.
Chaos gods updated names (Bloody Hand, Carrion Crow, Slithering Serpent, Fell Raptor) with business/lore speculation.
Cathay: more lore and Grand Cathay artwork, with extra pages inserted while matching total page count.
Rules content largely same; author suggests no need to reorder unless second edition.
Old “pristine” collector copy kept; author already has old + FAQ-insert version.
Dwarf art differences include shield bearer variants and possible miniature implications (plastic new miniature speculation).
Chaos section changes: “Hordes of Chaos” blending and new miniatures/unit shots.
Book loses battlefield terrain examples from earlier version.
Battlemarch added as Battlemarch plus (more than Settra’s Fury).
Battlemarch includes objectives changes: treasures/landmarks, strategic placement rules, additional tables.
Deployment maps increased from 3 to 6.
Victory scoring tweaks now includes treasure/landmark scoring.
Narrative scenarios reduced by three, shifted to Arcane Journals.
If you already own old rulebook + latest FAQs, changes are “not wildly different.”
If you’re new and don’t have FAQs, this is highly recommended.

Speakers / viewpoints

Stewart (Miniature Realms) is the only clearly indicated speaker in the subtitles, providing:
- collector perspective (keeping both versions)
- new-player perspective (single book convenience)
- gameplay/system notes (Battlemarch plus changes)

Concise verdict / recommendation

Recommended primarily for new players or anyone who doesn’t already own the old rulebook plus all updated FAQs—because it consolidates updates and adds Battlemarch plus.

If you already own the older rulebook with the latest FAQ insertions, the reviewer suggests the upgrade is mostly for artwork/lore/collector reasons (not a major rules overhaul).

Warhammer: The Old World | The New Rulebook | What's Changed?

Key takeaways