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.

 

[ngenius]

In an exclusive reveal, RPG publisher Cubicle 7 has informed Wargamer that a new edition of the classic Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay system is almost ready to launch, due in 2026 alongside the 40th anniversary of the classic grimdark fantasy RPG. Head of Creative and Design Dominic McDowall promises that fifth edition will be an "evolution, not a revolution" of the familiar fourth edition rules, and that backwards compatibility with current supplements is "one of the key things" the design team has prioritised.

The fifth edition rules will be backwards compatible with fourth edition, great news for anyone who has a heaving shelf full of fourth edition books. "The numeric ranges [for difficulties] are all the same, the names for [skills and talents] are the same", McDowall-Thomas says, though the specifics of how an ability functions may change. He expects there will be "a couple of things that will have changed enough that we'll put out a document to accompany the launch" to explain how to square them, but for the most part, you should be able to use older supplements without much fuss.

In general, you shouldn't expect fourth edition books to be rereleased with updated rules any time soon. "One of the reasons for the backwards compatibility is that we've got so many plans, the last thing we want to do is to have to go back and remake anything that we've already done", McDowall-Thomas says.

 

[Retreater]

Another year, another Warhammer TTRPG.

 

[ngenius]

Another year, another Warhammer TTRPG.

It is not just another, year, 2026 will be the 40th Anniversary. So ideally, probably a 40th Anniversary of the 1st Edition book alongside this new 5th Edition one.

 

[sevenbastard]

I bought the whole Enemy Within campaign re-release, but none of the actual rules books. So I guess im glad this is compatible?

I live in a fantasy world were someone else is going to run this campaign for me so I haven't even read the book yet, lol.

 

[HaroldTheHobbit]

This is excellent! With serious tidying up, clarifications and implementing various stuff from supplements to core, 5e might become a great and playable system. Looking forward to more details!

 

[Reynard]

I really don't know why people put out new "editions" if they aren't going to make significant changes. I mean, for sure put out a 40th Anniversary Core Rulebook, but why "5th Edition" it?

 

[Retreater]

I really don't know why people put out new "editions" if they aren't going to make significant changes. I mean, for sure put out a 40th Anniversary Core Rulebook, but why "5th Edition" it?

I think they've significantly overhauled the magic and combat system in splats since the Core Rulebook was released.
I'd say it's more warranted than the 2024 D&D reissues.

 

[John R Davis]

Played it 40 years ago with GW types.

Assume my chums will buy this, even though they have stacks unplayed 4th ed

 

[Arkham Attic]

So ideally, probably a 40th Anniversary of the 1st Edition book alongside this new 5th Edition one.

That would be of interest to me. I remember enjoying the first edition. Beast of a book as it was.

I really don't know why people put out new "editions" if they aren't going to make significant changes.

There may be commercial considerations. "New" editions sell better than simply "revised" ones I suspect.