Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay Fourth Edition – Review
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay Fourth Edition (WFRP 4E), developed by Cubicle 7, delivers a gritty, no-holds-barred dive back into the Warhammer universe that’s both nostalgic and new. Veteran fans and first-time adventurers alike will find plenty to love—and fear—in this treacherous setting. I had the pleasure (and occasional frustration) of diving in, so here’s my take on what makes this latest edition a worthy successor.
Core Mechanics and System
WFRP 4E brings back the classic d100 or percentile-based system that longtime fans will remember but with some extra polish. Rolling under your skill number is still the name of the game, but this time around, success levels add more nuance to outcomes. It’s a smart update—players aren’t just aiming for success or failure but grappling with shades of success and the occasional spectacular blunder.
While it’s straightforward in theory, expect a bit of a learning curve with the new success levels. It takes a few sessions to fully wrap your head around how far above or below your target you need to roll to get the best results. But once it clicks, it does feel like the stakes are a bit higher on every roll, keeping players on their toes.
Character Creation and the Career System
WFRP’s character creation is immersive and gritty, and it feels right at home in the Warhammer universe. You start by choosing from Humans, Dwarves, Halflings, and Elves, each with their quirks and limitations. What makes this game unique is the career system. Forget fixed classes; here, you’re climbing through professions, from Rat Catcher to Knight, and you never really know where you’ll end up.
Personally, I think the career system is where this edition shines. With more than 60 careers to choose from, no two characters are going to feel alike. And if you’re feeling brave, the random career selection can throw you into some surprising—and surprisingly fitting—roles. You might start as a lowly beggar and end up a revered priest, or vice versa. It’s unpredictable in a way that only Warhammer could pull off, and it makes for some incredible character arcs.
That said, the career system does mean that character progression can be a bit…organic. If you’re used to leveling up in neat, predictable ways, you might find it takes some adjusting. Here, it feels like you’re fighting your way up from one precarious position to another, and while that’s a lot of fun, it does make for slower development at times. This may frustrate players looking for rapid progression, but if you’re in it for the storytelling, it’s a goldmine.
Magic and Combat: High Risk, High Reward
If you’re thinking about dabbling in magic, be warned: WFRP 4E treats spellcasting with the same caution you’d show a barrel of gunpowder. Magic is powerful but volatile, and it can backfire in all sorts of ways. Casting a spell isn’t just about saying the right words; it’s about wrestling with forces that may not take kindly to being manipulated. It’s thrilling but risky, which feels right for the Old World—power comes at a price.
Combat is another area where this edition truly doubles down on realism. Every fight is brutal, and injuries can stick with you for the long haul. The critical injury tables are brutal, and trust me, even minor fights can leave you limping or worse. One of my players learned this the hard way—going into combat in WFRP is a serious decision, and the game rewards strategic thinking over reckless charging. Here, strength alone won’t save you.
Setting and Atmosphere: The Old World at Its Grittiest
One thing I love about this edition is how it captures the Warhammer world in all its dark, twisted glory. The Old World is no shiny, heroic fantasy land; it’s grim, dirty, and filled with people who are just as dangerous as the monsters. From the grimy streets of the Empire to the cursed Chaos Wastes, every place has its own personality and pitfalls. It’s the kind of setting where you might survive an orc raid, only to end up mugged in an alley.
The lore runs deep, too. There’s enough history, politics, and drama to fuel countless sessions, whether you’re interested in a low-level street skirmish or high-stakes noble intrigue. The game even provides a lot of resources for Game Masters, giving them tools to make each region feel distinct and each NPC memorable. It’s clear that Cubicle 7 put a lot of care into making this world feel alive and dangerous.
Production Quality and Design
Cubicle 7 delivered on the production quality here. The core rulebook is packed with stunning artwork that feels right at home in the Warhammer universe, setting the tone beautifully. The layout is player-friendly, with plenty of charts and examples that make navigating the rulebook surprisingly smooth. It’s no small feat to keep a rule-heavy book from feeling like a textbook, but this one manages to pull it off.
One minor nitpick, though—while the book is thorough, some sections could have used a bit more streamlining. There are moments when flipping between pages to check conditions or specific rules can feel a bit cumbersome. It’s not a dealbreaker, but something worth mentioning for those who value quick reference options.
Final Thoughts
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay Fourth Edition feels like a love letter to fans of the Old World, a game that rewards those who enjoy a challenge. It’s not about becoming an all-powerful hero; it’s about surviving, growing, and maybe, just maybe, coming out a little wiser and a lot more scarred.
If you’re someone who craves a bit of grit in your fantasy role-playing, where the stakes are high, and even the smallest victory feels hard-won, then WFRP 4E has a lot to offer. It’s a game that asks you to take the world seriously, to accept that things will often go wrong, and to revel in the journey as much as the destination.
For those who love Warhammer, this is a welcome return to the Old World’s familiar shadows. And for newcomers, it’s a chance to experience one of the most unique fantasy settings in tabletop gaming. Just be ready for a few hard knocks along the way—this isn’t a game that holds your hand, but it’s a wild ride worth taking.
Links
https://cubicle7games.com/warhammer-fantasy-roleplay-rulebook
“Cubicle 7 Entertainment is a collection of passionate game creators. We’re best known for our multi-award-winning roleplaying games including Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay Fourth Edition, Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Soulbound, Warhammer 40,000 Wrath and Glory, and The Doctor Who Roleplaying Game. We’ve got lots of new games in development, such as Warhammer 40,000 Imperium Maledictum, Broken Weave and Victoriana.
Check out our website www.cubicle7games.com“
