Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 5th Edition Is Coming in 2026

2026 will the 40th anniversary of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, the classic British fantasy TTRPG launched in 1986 by Games Workshop. It's also the year of a brand new edition of the game, with WFRP 5E hitting shelves, courtesy of Cubicle 7.

Cubicle 7's CEO Dominic McDowall, in an interview with Wargamer, indicated that the new edition will be backwards compatible with 4th edition, retaining the classic d100 system, and set in a similar time period. There will be a conversion document of sorts, but most older material will be usable with ease.

McDowall said that the goal is to 'standardize' things more, and remove subsystems which don't add enough player satisfaction in relation to their complexity. Existing 4th Edition books will not be re-released, and a new 'mega campaign' is being worked on.

WFRP has been published by various publishers over the decades--Games Workshop, Hogshead Publishing, Green Ronin/Black Industries, Fantasy Flight Games, and--since 2018--Cubicle 7. The game is set in a 'grimdark' fantasy setting called the 'Old World', with various regions very loosely based on countries in the Middle Ages. One of the game's predominant themes is the battle against Chaos, as represented by beastmen, mutated ratmen (Skaven), and dark cults.

 

[Skywalker]

I absolutely love the setting. So far 2E is my favorite edition of WFRP. 4E is just way too crunchy for my tastes. Here's to hoping they've dialed that way back in the revision. If not, there's always The Old World RPG.

If not, there is always 2e. I mean if its your favourite, then stick with it. It is still a great RPG.

 

[overgeeked]

If not, there is always 2e. I mean if its your favourite, then stick with it. It is still a great RPG.

Love to. But there’s always far more interest for the shiny new thing than the dusty old thing, it seems.

 

[Skywalker]

Love to. But there’s always far more interest for the shiny new thing than the dusty old thing, it seems.

Well, you are in luck then. C7's release schedule seems to be directed specifically for your tastes

And if 5e doesn't work for you, there is always 6e.

 

[WanderingMystic]

I am a little upset at this news seeing that I own leather hardcovers for all of A4e but more than that I am still waiting of physical copy to be delivered and from what they are saying I will get my physical 4e books about the same time as the digital 5 e books are released

 

[DrunkonDuty]

I admit I'm curious to try it. I've always really liked the setting.

 

[Aldarc]

I like the Warhammer setting but I am a Lizardmen fanboy. I just want to play the Total War: Warhammer games for the Lizardmen campaigns.

 

[DrunkonDuty]

I love the dinosaur artillery.

 

[TheSword]

very excited.

If it’s backwards compatible to the same extent as D&D 2024 5e then I’ll be a happy bunny. Most of the splat books are careers, equipment, Endeavours etc rather than talents. They’re going to provide a guide to adjusting such things. Could be soon though. Im expecting draft pdf in Q1 and a hard copy layer that year.

 

[Micah Sweet]

My guess is that there will be significant changes. Simple platitudes of backwards compatibility intended to calm existing customers are always made at this point but rarely prove to be all that accurate.

Do you think they'll assume everyone will switch over once the new staff's out? That happens sometimes.

 

[Micah Sweet]

If not, there is always 2e. I mean if its your favourite, then stick with it. It is still a great RPG.

Very much so. Easy for me though. The only person likely to keep with what's new in WHRPGs (or RPGs in general) is me.