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]

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

Of course. The rulebook will nominally be compatible with 4e but will need a conversion document to aid that to some extent (as they have already signaled). However, there will be a hurdle of using 4e books with the new ruleset, which will inevitably increase as time goes on and C7 rolls out new supplements to slowly replace the 4e ones.

Not that any of that is inherently an issue though. Its how new editions are implemented, even when they are said to be backward compatible, as the goal is to get you to buy more books.

 

[overgeeked]

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.

Quite the opposite. I’d vastly prefer to play 2E. But the majority wants whatever’s new and shiny. So if I want to actually play WFRP instead of just collect books that collect dust, I have to keep current.

 

[gban007]

Having semi recently got a number of 4e books, and having starter set on shelf that js only starter set yet to be played, I'm hoping it is a tidy up and bringing rules from likes of Up in Arms and Winds of Magic into core book to save having to switch back and forth, and that easy enough to use starter set with the 5e cleaned up rules as such.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Quite the opposite. I’d vastly prefer to play 2E. But the majority wants whatever’s new and shiny. So if I want to actually play WFRP instead of just collect books that collect dust, I have to keep current.

That's too bad. I love 2e. Best version of the game IMO.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

I bought the core and some sourcebooks from the translated 1st. They are like jewels for my collection. For the current standars it has got a very retro visual style and that is the reason because I love it. It makes me to remember my loved "Hero Quest" board game.

I didn't feel I needed an update of the crunch with the 2nd Ed, and even if I had wanted I could buy nothing of RPGs during the third edition. And I had got enough lore or fluff.

It is not my cup of tea.

 

[Arkham Attic]

Will this be less useful now?

Better to hold off?

 

[TheSword]

Will this be less useful now?

Better to hold off?

View attachment 420196

I would say that is the best value RPG product I’ve ever seen. It’s rules lite because it’s a starter set so unlikely to be much affected by the new system.

The gazetteer of Ubersreik is amazing. The adventure is a lot of fun and lasted my paid group 5 x 3 hour sessions.

The handouts are really well done. Great rumours. Nice maps. Really solid fold out Pregen sheets.

Plus dice and a page of card stock tokens Best £20 you ever spent!

It’s also a really good setting for the three Ubersreik Adventure anthologies which are also excellent products.

 

[timbannock]

Can someone give a cursory overview of the differences between 2e and (current) 4e? I know there's a lot, but I'm just looking for a summary written by knowledgeable folks such as yourselves.

 

[overgeeked]

Can someone give a cursory overview of the differences between 2e and (current) 4e? I know there's a lot, but I'm just looking for a summary written by knowledgeable folks such as yourselves.

There's a thread on here about the topic. Lots of varied opinions.

Thread 'Warhammer frpg - 2e vs 4e'

Nov 12, 2021

Hello

I have ran several campaigns using warhammer frpg 2nd ed, both in the warhammer world and outside of it (I wanted to see if it was suitable for a "low-ish" fantasy pseudo earth campaign, and it is!). I avoided 3e entirely because it really wasn't the same game anymore.

Now 4e is here. I've only glanced at the book. One of the big feature seems to be how you can stick in the same career the entire game, which is an interesting change but I don't see it as fundamental. I'm more interested in the other changes.

Some, like @CapnZapp , have said that 4e is "broken"...

• Ancalagon
• Replies: 122
• Forum: *TTRPGs General

 

[TheSword]

There's a thread on here about the topic. Lots of varied opinions.

Thread 'Warhammer frpg - 2e vs 4e'

Nov 12, 2021

Hello

I have ran several campaigns using warhammer frpg 2nd ed, both in the warhammer world and outside of it (I wanted to see if it was suitable for a "low-ish" fantasy pseudo earth campaign, and it is!). I avoided 3e entirely because it really wasn't the same game anymore.

Now 4e is here. I've only glanced at the book. One of the big feature seems to be how you can stick in the same career the entire game, which is an interesting change but I don't see it as fundamental. I'm more interested in the other changes.

Some, like @CapnZapp , have said that 4e is "broken"...

• Ancalagon
• Replies: 122
• Forum: *TTRPGs General

Game has changed a lot since then though. Including most of the things the Cap had beef with.

Hence the need for an updated core I guess.