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.

 

[mamba]

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?

calling it 40th anniversary is no different than calling it 5th edition, see D&D

I certainly welcome a consolidation of rule-sprawl from various supplements into a new core book. I hate it when I have a core book and then five or so supplements with additional rules and alternative rules. One core book and one rules supplement is plenty, anything more and I’d rather have you trim and consolidate it down again.

 

[Reynard]

calling it 40th anniversary is no different than calling it 5th edition, see D&D

I was not clear: I meant a special version/printing of the rulebook for the 4th Anniversary, not a new "edition" in the way we mean that when talking about RPGs.

2024 D&D is a perfect example of the kind of edition NOT to do.

 

[mamba]

I was not clear: I meant a special version/printing of the rulebook for the 4th Anniversary, not a new "edition" in the way we mean that when talking about RPGs.

In that case I prefer a 5th edition over a 40th anniversary print of an unchanged rulebook. At least there is some consolidation and updates that way

 

[Reynard]

In that case I prefer a 5th edition over a 40th anniversary print of an unchanged rulebook. At least there is some consolidation and updates that way

I don't have a dog in the race with regards to WHFRP -- I don't own or am likely to buy 4E (or 5E). I was just saying that "minor edition changes" are a waste, or worse.

 

[darjr]

5e might be my entry point.

 

[schneeland]

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.

Tend to agree. Personally, I like the Old World RPG better than what I know of WFRP 4e. But given the revisions they have done in later books, it does make sense to consolidate everything. Content-wise, it feels like this could have been another 4e book, but business-wise it probably makes sense to publish it as a new edition.

 

[overgeeked]

No, not using D&D 5E as the base. It's a revised WFRP 4E that's backwards compatible. Your books will still be usable with the new edition...wait...where have I heard that before?

https://cubicle7games.com/en_EU/blog/warhammer-fantasy-roleplay-fifth-edition-in-house-interview

 

[TheAlkaizer]

Man, people were a bit shocked at the Age of Sigmar and the newer Fantasy RPG (The Old World?) being announced. And now this. They're releasing so much material.

 

[schneeland]

Just FYI: there's an existing thread for WFRP 5e in the press/promotion sub-forum: Warhammer Fantasy Role Play 5th Edition announced for 2026.

 

[Aldarc]

5e might be my entry point.

I'm interested as well.