Warhammer 40,000 (Second Edition)

About this board game

Warhammer 40,000 (Second Edition) is a detailed miniatures battle game for 2–6 players, with games lasting about 120 minutes. Published in 1993, this edition combines rules, background, army lists, scenarios, miniatures, vehicles, and play aids in its starter set.

The Rulebook explains how to play, while the companion volumes cover wargear, setting background, units, characters, and army lists. Combat and shooting use the same rules as Necromunda, and the more complex system is designed for games on a much smaller scale than current Warhammer 40,000 rules.

The starter set includes forces for both sides: Space Marines with bolters, flamers, rocket launchers, bolt pistols, and chainswords, facing Orks armed with bolt pistols and axes, alongside Gretchin carrying autoguns. Cardboard and datafax vehicles expand the battlefield with Rhinos, Dreadnoughts, Predators, Land Raiders, and other war machines.

• Mission cards: Engage and Destroy, The Assassins, Dawn Raid, and Take and Hold.
• Wargear cards: equipment including scanners, conversion fields, haywire grenades, vortex grenades, and a web of skulls.
• Play aids: cardboard ruins, squad reference cards, vehicle and weapon summaries, templates, and a victory point record chart.

Scenarios in Battle for Armageddon make use of the boxed miniatures, while the included painting guide and introductory rules walkthrough help players get started. With its extensive reference material and distinctive components, Warhammer 40,000 (Second Edition) presents a substantial version of the setting’s battle system.