Warhammer Ancient Battles

About this board game

Warhammer Ancient Battles is a historically oriented miniatures battle game for 2 players, with an estimated play time of 120 minutes. Released in 1998, it adapts the popular Warhammer rules for conflicts inspired by the ancient world.

Originally created as an independent spin-off from Warhammer Fantasy Battle, the system was later brought back in-house at Games Workshop as a separate division. Some inconsistencies and more unrealistic elements of its parent game were revised, while the focus remained firmly on a fun, playable system rather than complete historical or military accuracy.

The rulebook contains everything needed to play and includes two generic army lists: Romans and Barbarians. Players are encouraged to source their miniatures from a range of manufacturers, but they must provide their own miniatures and scenery for the battlefield.

• Designed for two players
• Approximately 120 minutes of play
• Historically inspired rules with an emphasis on playability
• Generic Roman and Barbarian army lists included
• Additional army list supplements available

The game was expanded by a substantial range of supplements, including Fall of the West, Shieldwall, Chariot Wars, Alexander the Great, Hannibal and the Punic Wars, El Cid, The Age of Arthur, and Siege & Conquest. These publications broaden the historical settings and forces available to players.

Warhammer Ancient Battles was reprinted with errata as version 1.5, and a second edition was published in April 2010. It offers an accessible foundation for players who want large-scale historical battles without sacrificing the approachable, entertaining character of the Warhammer rules tradition.