Warmaster

Warmaster is a tabletop wargame created by Rick Priestly published by Games Workshop and set in the Warhammer Fantasy setting. It is different from Warhammer Fantasy in the both appearance and gameplay. It uses smaller 10mm minatures. Basic troops are are based on stands of which typically three make a unit. Gernerals, Heroes and Wizards are mounted individually or with their retinue.

Gameplay focuses on control and command, and while magic is used in the game it is limited. The game is designed to focus on the general's ability to command rather than just the armies ability to fight. Players say the game avoids a common critism of the games workshop warhammer games that battles are often decided based on army selection rather than the players skill in battle.

It was originally released in 2000 as a rulebook with minatures available seperately. As with most of Games Workshop specialist games the rules are available on-line as a Living Rulebook (http://www.specialist-games.com/warmaster/tlr.asp). New rules and information are also available from the official Warmaster website (http://www.specialist-games.com/warmaster/tlr.asp) including many taken from the Warmaster 2002 and 2003 Annuals.

In 2005 Games Workshop are planning to release a Lord of the Rings boxed game called Battle of Five Armies from The Hobbit which will be based on warmaster rules and use the same minature scale.