Forces of Fantasy

Guess what? I’m not dead yet! [Cue disappointed groans] No, honestly, I’m getting better! Anyway, while real life has so far kept getting in the way of recording another episode, I have been devising some cunning plans to get back out there again. One of them is to make shorter episodes (the topics at hand lend themselves very well to that). Another one is to just get behind the microphone and rec...

++Enter host++ List’ners far and wide, lend me thine ear, For ‘tis a sorry tale that you will hear. Of treachery, prophecy, monsters and booze, And of conspirators that cannot rhyme even if they tried really hard and were all helping each other. ++Exit host++   That’s right, it’s time for the Tragedy of McDeath! Enjoy this gripping tale, played out in no less than five scenarios, as well as of cou...

For this episode we take a look at the third Citadel Journal (Spring '86). Turns out, there's a LOT to unpack. Not only do we get background and rules for some of the catalog miniatures, we also get an entire new faction, the Skaven, with full rules and lore. And as if that's not enough, the Terror of the Lichemaster continues with a three-way battle over the famous monastery of La Maisontaal. Get...

Visit Frugelhofen, they said. See the lovely mountain, they said. Walk over to the Bogels' dairy farm, they said. Wonder at the diligent Dwarf miners, they said. Get attacked by a horde of zombies and skeletons (flaming heads optional), that they didn't say. Nor that there is a very real chance of being killed so some run-down Necromancer named Kemmler can live for another day - or worse, that you...

A lot has happened in 2023, and I mean A LOT. Both in my personal life and related to the podcast. So let's take a look in the rearview mirror. Oh, and don't be surprised if you see an cybernetic reindeer pulling a sleigh loaded out with presents and cannons. It's all part of the time of the year (well, at least it was in 1985). Links to the articles discussed: https://www.warhammer-community.com/...

Did you sing the episode title? If so, I won't apologize for that earworm. It fits with the theme of Chaos that we see coming up more and more in GW publications as time progresses. This episode, we're taking a look at the Third Citadel Compendium  However, where Chaos is on the rise, content is slacking. The first two iterations also gave us a lot of gaming articles, this one is mostly about mode...

It must be one of the most misnamed Warhammer materials: Blood on the Streets. Don't get me wrong, the pack is absolutely awesome with 12 cardboard buildings and a 22-page booklet that gives you the background for three adjacent villages in a forgotten corner of the Empire. But as to the title, there's no blood (because it doesn't contain scenarios) and there are no streets (only buildings). That...

Remember that quarterly publication known as the Citadel Journal? Yeah, neither does GW. But they had such high hopes. Even in this Second Citadel Journal, released half a year after the first, they still want to go quarterly. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to be glad with what we did get. A new scenario, modelling and painting tips, behind the scenes glimpses, more Regiments of Renown and of co...

What do you do when you are a disgraced Orc? Kill the king and take over the land, of course! With the help of your trusty, or rather, untrustworthy, Orc lieutenants. Nothing stands in the way, except some Elves, some Dwarfs, and some Humans. And then some more Elves, Dwarfs and Humans, holed up at a place called Orc's Drift. It's probably going to be a blood bath. But you will prevail! If the oth...

Look out! We’re being ambushed! With 2nd edition goodness, that is! This episode is all about a single issue of White Dwarf, no 66 (June 1985) which contains an Open Box review of Warhammer 2nd edition, the rules for fighting ambushers and two new (and related) Regiments of Renown.   Links to the articles discussed: TOW movement phase: https://www.warhammer-community.com/2023/11/06/old-world-alman...

It's time to take a look at the Citadel Journal Spring 1985. Well, also at White Dwarf 63, but all the relevant stuff that's in there is also in the Journal, so let's just do the Journal. We get rules errata, reader questions, announcements of grand plans and more Regiments of Renown than any sane man could field. And we get the rules for a very special and elusive monster that once haunted the Ci...

What do you get when you combine a tabletop fantasy game with a classic western movie? The Magnificent Sven, of course! This episode we drive our trusty Voltsvagn (not what you think) to Vastervik (not where you think) and help some poor villagers fight off toads - or die trying. We take our time machine back to 1984 for the final time with this look at the The Magnificent Sven scenario that came...

Last time we discussed the Known World and its history, today it's time to take a look at all the peoples, denizens, beasties and monsters that live, or walk, or float in the Warhammer World as it was envisioned in 2nd edition. From old favourites like Orcs and Elves to lost creatures such as the Coatl and the Jabberwock, you'll find it all in this extensive review of the latter half of the Battle...

Alright class, pay attention. Today's topics are geography and history. Who can tell me where the New Coast lies? The entrance to the Elf Kingdoms? Who discovered Lustria? And when was the last Chaos Incursion? What? You can't answer any of these questions? Then what are you waiting for? Hop aboard my trusty time machine and join me in 1984 as we explore the beginnings of the Warhammer World.   Wa...

"Pssst! Hey, you. Yeah, you there. Always wanted to be a wizard? Just touch my puss... eh, this golden cat statue. Watch your step though, don't break that urn..."  Yes, the above can very well have been an actual conversation in 2nd edition Warhammer Fantasy - scroll to the very end of the episode if you want to find out how that works. Speaking of how things work, in this episode we'll discuss t...

Welcome to the next phase of the Forces of Fantasy podcast, in which we leave 1st edition behind us (although not quite, as you will see) and start our read-through of 2nd edition. Or, at least, the first book of 2nd edition. A slightly longer episode than usual, but I guess that just show you how much Warhammer has matured in a year and a half. Or at least, how much of a mess the 1st edition rule...

In this episode we revisit some of the previously discussed materials for First Edition Warhammer Fantasy and take a look at the bits and bobs of lore we're getting. What has changed? And what has stayed the same throughout later editions? Lots, either way, surprisingly enough.

Did you know Lustria is teeming with Amazons? And that they have very advanced weapons? Which you can loot? Well, you do now, thanks to the scenario in the Second Citadel Compendium. Get ready for a wild ride of cheap miniatures you definitely shouldn't suck, koka-induced crazed fanatical women hiding in temples distributing bolter pistols (though I don't think they claim to provide the basis for...

My apologies for my prolonged absence. It has a reason, I promise. Well, multiple reasons, to be fair. But now I'm back, and we've got a lot of catching up to do about all the hobby stuff I've been doing as well as the recent releases from Nova Open. Because who doesn't need a drunk octopus on their gaming table...? (Promised link: https://i.redd.it/py9vqx759wg41.jpg ). www.forcesoffantasy.com htt...

Few people in the Warhammer community, especially in that part of the community dedicated to 90s games, have made a bigger impact on the hobby in the last few years than Joshua Van Zaane. You might know him from the Crown of Command podcast or his newly started Eavy Lead Studios commission painting services. Here's the contact details for Josh: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_crown_of_com...

News from the Old World! We get a sneak peak at some of the game mechanics that we will get in Warhammer: the Old World, as well as a detailed look at some of the images included. Enjoy this little news update bonus episode!

Whether you're looking to play your games of Warhammer as a thief, field a battalion of Half-Orcs or replay the massive Battle of the Pelennor Fields, White Dwarf's got you covered. These and... well, not more, just these, actually. Yeah, that's it. And a review of Forces of Fantasy. But still, great stuff to include in those 1st edition games!   www.forcesoffantasy.com E: forcesoffantasy [at] gma...

Ever wanted to know how to make an army in Warhammer 1st edition? No? Well, we're going to talk about it anyway in this episode, dedicated to a little paperback booklet with the grand name the Book of Battalions, which gives you 11 sample armies (and the opportunity to buy them of course). Oh yeah, and GJ has got some major life changes coming up. But more importantly: Warhammer!   www.forcesoffan...

We've got some new Old World news! Which, if you're at all active on social media, you already know by now. But what you probably don't know is that you can't play Warhammer without a GM. Unless you want to of course, in that case it's totally fine. Apparently in the 80s it was a lot easier planning a game with 3 people. Nowadays, I've even got trouble planning a solo game. But the Ziggurat of Doo...

The Forces of Fantasy Podcast presents: Forces of Fantasy volume 1: Forces of Fantasy. Sorry, had to do that. Today is all about building up your Warhammer 1st edition armies, which you can mix and match from different factions. Big fun, it's only that the rules for Chaos are a bit... chaotic.   Here's the Awesome Lies blog I mentioned: https://awesomeliesblog.wordpress.com/2017/05/29/the-wfrp-sto...