Chaos on the Rise: A Review
There is a strong mix of fantasy releases coming up next week, with Warhammer: The Old World taking center stage alongside a fresh wave for the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game. This is one of those release cycles that feels less like a simple restock window and more like Games Workshop laying out the next major push for its classic fantasy lines.
The After Dark opens at Midnight EST for eligible pre-orders.
As always, anything marked with asterisks in the preview is a direct-only item from Games Workshop and will not be available through third-party retailers like Wargame Portal.
Warhammer: The Old World Core Set
The big headline this week is the new Warhammer: The Old World Core Set. Fresh off its reveal at the Big Summer Preview, this box looks like a serious entry point for anyone wanting to jump into the World of Legend.
The set includes the rules, accessories, and 54 miniatures split between two very different forces, Warriors of Chaos and Grand Cathay. On the Chaos side, you get an Aspiring Champion on Daemonic Mount, an Aspiring Champion with Battle Standard, 16 Chaos Warriors, and four Chaos Knights. For Grand Cathay, the box includes a Gate Keeper on Cathayan Warhorse, a Gate Keeper with Battle Standard, 20 Jade Warriors, five Jade Lancers, and a Cathayan Grand Cannon with Ogre Loader and crew.
That is a pretty strong spread for a two-player starter. Warriors of Chaos bring the heavy armor, brute force, and classic dark fantasy presence, while Grand Cathay gives the box something fresh and visually distinct. It is also a smart pairing because the two armies should feel very different on the tabletop, which makes the set more interesting as both a starter and a launch point for bigger collections.
The included rulebook has also been revised with the latest online errata and added content for the Battle March game mode. That is a good move, especially for anyone coming in fresh who does not want to immediately start chasing updates online before their first game.
Warhammer: The Old World Rulebook
For players who do not need the full Core Set, the updated Warhammer: The Old World Rulebook will also be available separately. This is the cleaner option for existing players who already have armies built and just want the revised rules in hand.
Between the standalone rulebook and the new Core Set, this release gives both new and returning players a reasonable way into the game without forcing everyone into the same purchase path.
Battle March and Reference Cards
The Battle March: General’s Companion is also coming, but this is a direct-only item. It focuses on smaller games of Warhammer: The Old World, with rules for more compact battles, six narrative scenarios, example muster lists, and background centered around the battle of Axe Bite Pass.
The Common Magic Items and Lores of Magic Reference Card Packs are also returning as direct-only, while-stocks-last items. These are the kind of accessories that are not mandatory, but they are absolutely useful if you like keeping your spells, magic items, and references on the table instead of constantly flipping through a book.
Warhammer: The Old World Made to Order
Games Workshop is also celebrating the new Core Set with a range of classic Made to Order miniatures. These include Orc Raiders, Mercenary Ogres with Great Weapons, Mercenary Ogres with Hand Weapons, a Mercenary Ogre Captain, Baggage Train Carts, and Baby Dragons.
These Made to Order items are direct-only through Games Workshop and will be available until July 13, 2026.
For collectors, this is probably the nostalgia part of the week. The Old World has always had a strong pull for people who love classic Warhammer fantasy sculpts, and Made to Order windows like this are usually the best shot at grabbing older kits without hunting through the secondhand market.
Wargame Portal and Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game
For Lord of the Rings fans, Wargame Portal is going to dip its toes back into the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game and offer some of these releases for pre-order.
This is a bit of a test run. If things go well and there is enough interest from customers, maybe we will begin offering Middle-earth releases again on a more regular basis.
That makes this week a good chance for Middle-earth fans to show there is still demand.
Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game Journal: The Burning of the Westfold
The Burning of the Westfold is the major Middle-earth release this week. This expansion includes 11 linked Narrative Scenarios built around some of the most iconic battles fought by the Rohirrim during the War of the Ring.
It also includes hobby content, with guides covering horse painting, building the Fords of Isen, getting more out of Rohan Houses, and making the Plains of Rohan. That kind of material is always welcome, especially for a game like Middle-earth where the visual feel of the battlefield matters so much.
You will need the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game Rules Manual and Armies of The Lord of the Rings to make full use of this supplement.
Riders of Rohan
The Riders of Rohan are exactly what you want from a Rohan release. Six mounted miniatures equipped with armor, shields, hand weapons, and bows, with four riders having the option to wield throwing spears.
The interchangeability between riders and horses is a nice touch, and for anyone building a Rohan force, mounted warriors are not really optional. They are the identity of the army.
Warriors of Rohan Commanders
The Warriors of Rohan Commanders kit builds a Captain, a banner bearer, and a warrior with a war horn. This is a practical release for anyone expanding a Rohan force because command models add character and help make the army feel complete on the table.
The cosmetic options are also appreciated. Middle-earth armies tend to look best when they feel grounded and varied, rather than overly uniform.
Hill Tribesmen Commanders
The Hill Tribesmen Commanders kit adds leadership for the Hill Tribes of the West-march. It builds a Chieftain, a banner bearer, and a warrior with a war horn.
The Chieftain can be armed with a large two-handed weapon or a hand weapon and shield, and can also be built as the Wild Man Oathmaker. That flexibility gives the kit some extra value, especially for players building around the forces of Dunland and Saruman.
White Dwarf 526
White Dwarf 526 is centered around Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV, with an interview featuring the director of the upcoming video game, a Blood Ravens painting guide, and a Warhammer: The Old World battle report.
For players who grew up with Dawn of War, the Blood Ravens content alone will probably catch some attention.
Black Library: Flames of Betrayal
Black Library is also bringing Flames of Betrayal, a Horus Heresy omnibus that collects Garro: Knight of Grey and Era of Ruin.
This one brings together the end of Garro’s long road during the Siege of Terra with a set of stories focused on the immediate aftermath of Horus’ defeat. For Horus Heresy readers, that makes it a solid omnibus, especially if you have been following the transition from the Siege of Terra into the ruined future that follows.
Final Thoughts
This is a fantasy-heavy release week, and honestly, it is a pretty interesting one.
The Old World Core Set is the clear centerpiece. It gives new players a strong way to start, updates the rulebook content, and brings Grand Cathay further into the spotlight. The separate rulebook is a good option for existing players, while the direct-only Battle March book, card packs, and Made to Order models give collectors and veteran players some extra targets.
The Middle-earth releases are also worth watching. Wargame Portal is testing the waters with Lord of the Rings again, and if the interest is there, this could be the start of seeing more Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game releases available through us in the future.
The After Dark opens at Midnight EST for eligible pre-orders. As always, direct-only items will need to be purchased directly through Games Workshop.
