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What Is Warcry?
Warcry is Games Workshop’s fast-paced skirmish game set in the Mortal Realms of Age of Sigmar. It pits small warbands of fighters against each other in brutal, close-quarters combat across dramatically vertical terrain — towering ruins, platforms, bridges, and crumbling structures that fighters can climb, leap from, and fight across. Warcry distils the epic scale of Age of Sigmar into intimate, quick-playing battles that emphasise tactical movement, dice-based ability activation, and narrative-driven scenarios.
Where Age of Sigmar involves armies of dozens or hundreds of miniatures and games that can last several hours, Warcry uses warbands of roughly 6 to 15 fighters and games typically last 45 to 60 minutes. This smaller scale makes Warcry more accessible, more affordable, and easier to fit into a busy schedule — but it sacrifices none of the tactical depth or dramatic moments that make tabletop gaming compelling.
Warcry is designed to be both a gateway into the Age of Sigmar hobby for new players and a satisfying standalone game for experienced gamers. Its rules are simpler than full AoS but surprisingly deep, and its emphasis on terrain interaction and vertical movement gives it a unique tactical identity that no other Games Workshop game replicates.
How Warcry Differs from Age of Sigmar
Understanding how Warcry differs from its parent game helps set expectations for new players and AoS veterans alike.
Scale
Age of Sigmar uses full armies with heroes, monsters, battleline units, and elaborate battle plans. Warcry uses small warbands — typically 6 to 15 models — with no army-wide special rules, formations, or complex synergies. Every fighter in Warcry acts independently, making individual model positioning and activation order critical.
Terrain
Warcry’s terrain is its defining feature. The game uses elaborate, multi-level terrain sets that create a three-dimensional battlefield. Fighters can climb walls, jump across gaps, and fall from heights. This vertical dimension fundamentally changes how the game plays compared to Age of Sigmar, where terrain is primarily a source of cover and movement obstruction.
Rules Complexity
Warcry’s core rules fit on a handful of pages. There are no phases (movement, shooting, combat) in the traditional sense — instead, each fighter gets a simple activation where they can move and attack. This streamlined approach makes the game fast to learn and quick to play without sacrificing tactical decisions.
Abilities System
Instead of complex special rules and stratagems, Warcry uses an abilities system powered by dice. At the start of each round, you roll a pool of dice and can use matching values to activate powerful abilities for your fighters. Rolling well gives you more options; rolling poorly limits your choices. This system creates meaningful decisions every turn while keeping the game moving.
How Warcry Plays
A standard game of Warcry follows a simple structure that is easy to learn but offers considerable tactical depth.
Warband Selection
Before the game, you build a warband within a points limit. Each fighter has a points cost based on their combat stats and abilities. Building a warband involves balancing elite fighters (expensive but powerful) against rank-and-file warriors (cheap but fragile). The points limit ensures fair, balanced games regardless of which factions are playing.
Initiative and Abilities Dice
At the start of each battle round, both players roll six dice. The player with the most singles (dice showing unique values) takes the initiative. More importantly, matching dice (doubles, triples, quads) are used to activate powerful abilities throughout the round. A double might let a fighter make a bonus move, a triple might unleash a devastating special attack, and a quad might activate a game-changing ultimate ability.
This dice-based abilities system is one of Warcry’s most distinctive features. It adds an element of unpredictability that keeps games exciting while still rewarding skilful play — you cannot control what you roll, but you can choose how to best use the results you get.
Alternating Activations
Players alternate activating individual fighters, with each fighter getting one activation per round. During an activation, a fighter can typically take two actions chosen from: move, attack, disengage, or wait. The alternating system keeps both players engaged throughout the round and creates a back-and-forth dynamic where positioning and activation order matter enormously.
Combat
Combat in Warcry is resolved with dice rolls — the attacker rolls a number of dice equal to their attack characteristic, and compares the weapon’s Strength to the target’s Toughness: rolls of 3+ hit if Strength is higher, 4+ if equal and 5+ if lower, with 6s scoring critical hits. Hits deal damage that reduces the target’s wounds. Combat is fast and deadly — fighters can be eliminated in a single activation, making positioning and the decision of when to engage critical.
Scenarios and Victory
Warcry games use randomly determined scenarios (called battleplans) that define victory conditions, deployment zones, and special rules. Some scenarios require holding objectives, others demand eliminating specific enemy fighters, and others create asymmetric situations where one player is attacking and the other defending. This variety ensures no two games play the same way.
Available Warbands
Warcry offers a wide range of warbands drawn from the Age of Sigmar setting, plus several warbands designed specifically for Warcry.
Warcry-Specific Warbands
Several warbands were designed exclusively for Warcry, typically representing Chaos-aligned groups fighting for the favour of the Dark Gods. These warbands include the Iron Golem (heavy armour, slow but tough), the Untamed Beasts (fast, aggressive, beast companions), the Corvus Cabal (agile, climbing specialists), the Cypher Lords (illusionists and tricksters), and several others. Each has a unique playstyle and aesthetic that makes them compelling to collect and play.
Age of Sigmar Faction Warbands
Most Age of Sigmar factions can also be fielded as Warcry warbands using published fighter cards. This means your existing AoS collection can be repurposed for Warcry games, and models you buy for Warcry can potentially be used in full AoS armies. Stormcast Eternals, Nighthaunt, Skaven, Orruk Warclans, Daughters of Khaine, and many more factions have Warcry rules.
Choosing Your First Warband
For new players, the Warcry-specific warbands are the best starting point. They are designed for the game’s mechanics, come with all the cards you need, and are priced affordably. Choose based on aesthetic and playstyle preference — all warbands are viable at the casual level, and most are competitive with proper play.
Best Starter Sets
Games Workshop releases starter sets for Warcry that include everything needed to play: two warbands, terrain, boards, dice, tokens, and the full rulebook.
Current Core Set
The latest Warcry core set is the best entry point for new players. It includes two warbands balanced against each other, a complete terrain set, and the most up-to-date rules. The terrain in Warcry starter sets is a particular highlight — it provides the multi-level, vertical battlefields that make Warcry unique and would cost significantly more to purchase separately. Check the Games Workshop website for the current core set.
Warband Boxes
Individual warband boxes let you expand your collection after purchasing the core set. Each box includes the miniatures and fighter cards for one warband. These are affordable and provide a complete, ready-to-play warband without requiring additional purchases.
Terrain Considerations
Warcry’s terrain is integral to the game experience. If you do not purchase a starter set that includes terrain, you will need to acquire terrain separately. Games Workshop sells dedicated Warcry terrain sets, but you can also use any suitable terrain from other sources. The key requirement is vertical, multi-level structures that fighters can climb and fight on.
Warcry vs Kill Team
Warcry and Kill Team are both Games Workshop skirmish games, but they cater to different audiences and settings.
Setting
Warcry is fantasy (Age of Sigmar); Kill Team is sci-fi (Warhammer 40,000). Choose based on which setting appeals to you more.
Terrain and Verticality
Warcry emphasises vertical terrain far more than Kill Team. Climbing, jumping, and falling are core mechanics in Warcry, creating a three-dimensional tactical experience. Kill Team uses terrain primarily for cover and line-of-sight blocking, with less emphasis on vertical movement.
Complexity
Kill Team is generally more complex than Warcry, with more detailed rules for shooting, cover, and special abilities. Warcry’s streamlined rules make it faster to learn and quicker to play. If you want a deeper tactical simulation, Kill Team may be better; if you want a faster, more accessible game, Warcry is the choice.
Model Count
Both games use similar model counts (roughly 6-14 fighters), though the exact numbers vary by warband/team. Neither requires a huge investment in miniatures.
How Much Does Warcry Cost?
Warcry is one of the more affordable Games Workshop games, though the terrain requirement can add cost if you do not purchase a starter set.
Entry Cost
A Warcry core set provides everything two players need to start playing, including terrain. The cost is comparable to purchasing a single large model or vehicle for Age of Sigmar. Individual warband boxes are priced similarly to small Age of Sigmar unit kits.
Ongoing Costs
Once you own a core set, expansion costs are modest. New warband boxes, card packs, and terrain expansions are released periodically, but none are required to continue playing. The core set provides months of gameplay before you need to purchase anything additional.
Compared to Full AoS
A complete Warcry collection (core set plus two to three additional warbands) costs roughly the same as a single 1,000-point Age of Sigmar army. For players on a budget or those who want to try the Warhammer hobby without a large financial commitment, Warcry is an excellent option.
Getting Started — Step by Step
Follow these steps to start your Warcry journey:
Step 1: Purchase the current Warcry core set. This provides everything for two players, including terrain.
Step 2: Assemble the miniatures and terrain. Most Warcry warbands are multipart kits that need plastic glue, as does the terrain.
Step 3: Play through the tutorial scenario in the core set rulebook. This teaches the basic rules step by step.
Step 4: Play several full games with the core set warbands to learn the rules and discover your preferred playstyle.
Step 5: Explore warband-building and try different fighter compositions within the points limit.
Step 6: Purchase a warband that appeals to you, or use existing Age of Sigmar models if you have them.
Step 7: Find a local community — Games Workshop stores, local gaming clubs, and online communities all host Warcry events and campaigns.
Narrative Play and Campaigns
One of Warcry’s greatest strengths is its campaign system, which allows you to play a linked series of games where your warband grows, evolves, and gains experience over time.
How Campaigns Work
In a Warcry campaign, your fighters earn experience from battles, gaining new abilities and stat improvements as they survive from game to game. Fighters who are injured may miss future battles, and your warband can recruit new members between games. This persistent progression creates narrative investment — you care about your fighters because they have a history.
Campaign Territory
Campaigns often involve claiming and controlling territories that provide benefits between battles. A warband that controls a forge might gain access to better weapons, while one that controls a shrine might receive healing between games. This territory system adds a strategic layer beyond individual battles.
Narrative Appeal
Warcry’s campaign system is widely regarded as one of the best in any Games Workshop game. If you enjoy narrative gaming, character development, and ongoing storylines, Warcry campaigns offer a deeply satisfying experience that the competitive, one-off Spearhead format cannot match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know Age of Sigmar to play Warcry?
No. Warcry is a standalone game with its own rules. While it shares a setting with Age of Sigmar, no knowledge of AoS rules or lore is required to play Warcry.
Can I use Warcry miniatures in Age of Sigmar?
Many Warcry warbands have rules for use in full Age of Sigmar games, typically as allies or dedicated units. The Warcry-specific Chaos warbands, in particular, have been integrated into the Slaves to Darkness faction for AoS.
How many players can play Warcry?
Warcry is designed for two players, but rules for multiplayer games (three or four players) are available. The game works best with two players, but multiplayer games are great for game nights with friends.
Is Warcry competitive?
Warcry has a growing competitive scene, though it is smaller than the tournament scenes for Warhammer 40,000 or Age of Sigmar. The game’s relatively simple rules and quick play time make it well-suited for tournament play, and the abilities dice system adds a skill element that rewards experienced players.
Is Warcry good for painting?
Absolutely. Warcry’s small warband sizes mean you can finish painting an entire force in a few sessions, providing a sense of completion that can be hard to achieve with larger armies. The Warcry-specific warbands in particular feature unique, characterful sculpts that are a joy to paint. The low model count also makes it an ideal project for trying new painting techniques or investing more time per model.
What terrain do I need for Warcry?
At minimum, you need enough multi-level terrain to create a varied, vertical battlefield. The Warcry core set includes a complete terrain set designed for the game. If purchasing terrain separately, aim for platforms at multiple heights, walls to climb, bridges to cross, and elevated positions to fight over. The terrain is at least as important as the miniatures for creating the Warcry experience.
Can I play Warcry solo?
Warcry includes rules for solo play in some of its expansions, using an AI system to control the opposing warband. While not as engaging as playing against a human opponent, the solo rules provide a satisfying experience for painters who want to use their warbands on the table and for players who want to practice outside of game nights.
How many points is a standard Warcry warband?
A standard Warcry warband is built to 1,000 points. Every fighter has a points cost on its fighter card, and you spend up to the limit on a mix of leaders, elite fighters and cheaper rank-and-file. Lower limits work well for quick learning games, and campaign rules let a warband grow from a smaller starting roster.
What size board do you need for Warcry?
Warcry is played on a 30 by 22 inch battlefield, small enough for a kitchen table. The official Warcry gameboards and core sets use this size, and the battleplan cards assume it when setting deployment and objectives. The small footprint is part of why the game needs so much vertical terrain to stay interesting.
What is the difference between Warcry and Warhammer Underworlds?
Warcry lets you build your own warband to a points limit and fight over dense, multi-level terrain, with strong campaign rules. Warhammer Underworlds uses fixed warbands of a few named fighters on hex-grid boards, and much of its strategy comes from building decks of objective and ploy cards. Underworlds is more like a competitive board game, while Warcry is closer to a miniature skirmish wargame.
Related Content
- Age of Sigmar Beginners Guide — apply this guide to a specific army
- How to Play Warhammer 40k — Complete Beginner’s Guide — learn the core rules of Warhammer 40K
- Warhammer Underworlds — Beginner’s Guide — explore another helpful guide
- All Warhammer 40k Factions Ranked — Tier List — see which factions rank highest