Starting Warhammer the Old World in 2026 | Square Based Show
Are you Old World curious? Thinking about jumping into Warhammer: The Old World in 2026? Well, this is the show for you. Buckle up, kids. Rob and Val are breaking down everything you need to know, from the lore and the community to the rules and the hobby.
We get it. New year, new army, right? A lot of people were asking for a condensed video that gives a complete overlay of the game, so we're putting it all together in one place. This is the all-in-one video for all the new players we wish we had.
As always, if there's anything we left out, or if you're an experienced player with tips for the new folks, leave some comments below! You know it's great for engagement, and we want to hear your thoughts.
A special thanks to everyone on our Square Based Patreon for your support!
CHAPTERS
0:00 - Introduction
2:38 - *Chapter 1: What is The Old World? (The Setting)*
7:35 - How Old World Relates to 40k & Age of Sigmar
13:42 - The Armies: Core Factions
16:28 - The Armies: Legacy / "Renegade" Factions
21:11 - The Vibe: Is the Setting Grimdark or Fun?
24:57 - *Chapter 2: The Old World Community*
30:51 - Is the Community Big & Growing?
32:52 - Size vs. 40k & Age of Sigmar
38:08 - *Chapter 3: How to Play (Gameplay Overview)*
41:37 - How Many Models/Points to Start? (500pt Foray)
46:33 - How Long Does a Game Take?
48:52 - What Books Do You Need? (And Do You?)
53:50 - How Difficult is The Old World to Learn?
57:37 - Beginner List-Writing Tips
1:02:54 - *Chapter 4: The Hobby (Collecting & Painting)*
1:03:18 - Best Beginner Army to Collect?
1:05:50 - The Cost & Value of Old World Models
1:07:13 - Can I Use Old, AoS, or 3rd Party Models?
1:12:13 - Essential Tools & Painting Supplies
1:17:32 - How Expensive is it to Start?
1:19:11 - The Future of the Game (New Editions?)
1:22:04 - Final Thoughts & Outro
MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
► *Old World Army Builder:* https://old-world-builder.com/
► *Old World Rules Wiki:* https://tow.whfb.app/
► *Our 500pt Foray Pack:* https://thehonestwargamer.com/warhammer-the-old-world-500-point-foray/
► *Rob's Old World EVENTS in Nottingham!* https://tsnarena.com/events/category/the-old-world/
► *Support us on PATREON and join us on Discord:* https://www.patreon.com/Squarebased
MERCH!
https://thehonestwargamer.com/product-category/square-based/
Square Based Comp and Gaming Resources:
https://thehonestwargamer.com/warhammer-the-old-world/square-based-comp/
Youtube Music Playlist for Audio Only:
https://tinyurl.com/SB-YouTube-Music-Playlist
Podcast on all other Platforms:
https://squarebasedpodcast.podbean.com/
#squarebased #warhammertheoldworld #warhammerfantasy
--------
1:23:29
--------
1:23:29
MASSIVE new release has us SHOCKED!?| Warhammer the Old World | Square Based Show
The original Square Based Podcast where Rob and Val discuss everything Warhammer the Old World. Always be Bassed.
Chapters:
MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
► *Rob's Old World EVENTS in Nottingham!* https://tsnarena.com/events/category/the-old-world/
► *The California Cup in Los Angeles ! Nov 14-16!* https://greenbannereventco.com/product-category/california-cup/
► Support us on PATREON and join us on Discord: https://www.patreon.com/Squarebased
MERCH!
https://thehonestwargamer.com/product-category/square-based/
Square Based terrain maps and resources:
https://thehonestwargamer.com/the-old-world-terrain-guidelines/
Youtube Music Playlist for Audio Only:
https://tinyurl.com/SB-YouTube-Music-Playlist
Podcast on all other Platforms:
https://squarebasedpodcast.podbean.com/
#squarebased #warhammertheoldworld #warhammerfantasy
--------
24:49
--------
24:49
Even MORE Cathay at the massive preview? | Warhammer the Old World | Square Based Show
The original Square Based Podcast where Rob and Val discuss everything Warhammer the Old World. Always be Bassed.
Chapters:
MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
► *Rob's Old World EVENTS in Nottingham!* https://tsnarena.com/events/category/the-old-world/
► *The California Cup in Los Angeles ! Nov 14-16!* https://greenbannereventco.com/product-category/california-cup/
► Support us on PATREON and join us on Discord: https://www.patreon.com/Squarebased
MERCH!
https://thehonestwargamer.com/product-category/square-based/
Square Based terrain maps and resources:
https://thehonestwargamer.com/the-old-world-terrain-guidelines/
Youtube Music Playlist for Audio Only:
https://tinyurl.com/SB-YouTube-Music-Playlist
Podcast on all other Platforms:
https://squarebasedpodcast.podbean.com/
#squarebased #warhammertheoldworld #warhammerfantasy
--------
44:32
--------
44:32
Old World Gaming Events are EXPLODING in Popularity | Old World Stats Show | Square Based Show
The original Square Based Podcast where Rob and Val discuss everything Warhammer the Old World. Always be Bassed.
Chapters:
[00:00] Old World Stat Center: Intro & Weekend Events Overview
[01:57] Tournament Report: Welsh Open - The Rise of Sylvania
[04:47] Welsh Open Champion: Jack Ward's Vampire Counts List
[06:15] Welsh Open: Top 4-1 & 4-Draw Lists
[19:49] Welsh Open Takeaways: The Vampire Counts Question
[20:39] Tournament Report: Birthday Slaughter GT (Queensland, Australia)
[22:05] Queensland Champion: Justin Franklin's Tomb Kings List
[25:25] Tournament Report: Battle Rage Baller Up (Denmark) & Comp System
[28:35] Denmark Top Armies: Demons of Chaos & Seagar Garrison
[34:47] Tournament Report: COV GT (Minor Event)
[38:16] Final Thoughts: State of the Old World Tournament Scene
MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
► *Rob's Old World EVENTS in Nottingham!* https://tsnarena.com/events/category/the-old-world/
► *The California Cup in Los Angeles ! Nov 14-16!* https://greenbannereventco.com/product-category/california-cup/
► Support us on PATREON and join us on Discord: https://www.patreon.com/Squarebased
MERCH!
https://thehonestwargamer.com/product-category/square-based/
Square Based terrain maps and resources:
https://thehonestwargamer.com/the-old-world-terrain-guidelines/
Youtube Music Playlist for Audio Only:
https://tinyurl.com/SB-YouTube-Music-Playlist
Podcast on all other Platforms:
https://squarebasedpodcast.podbean.com/
#squarebased #warhammertheoldworld #warhammerfantasybattles
--------
41:09
--------
41:09
What's REALLY Happening in the Game Right Now | Old World Stats Centre | Square Based Show
It's time for another deep dive into event results for Warhammer the Old World, and Val joins Rob for his first official stats appearance!
This episode covers Val's own massive Square Based Open Toronto, the LVO Champs, Michigan GT, and MOAB down in Australia.
Get ready for list breakdowns, faction analysis, and a look at how different mission packs and the emerging comp scene are shaping the meta. Which armies are rising to the top? Are the secondary objectives changing how people build lists? We break it all down!
CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Introduction & Recent News (Chaos Marauders)
1:25 - Events Overview & The Emerging Comp Landscape
4:37 - Square Based Open Toronto 2025
39:19 - LVO Champs 2025
58:30 - Michigan GT 2025
1:12:11 - Moab 2025 (Australia)
1:19:30 - Overall Meta Discussion & Conclusion
Links to Tournament info:
Shout out to Gommo @oldworldfanatics and https://oldworldrankings.com/ for helping to make this show much easier to produce!
*Square Based Open*:
*Results*:
https://oldworldrankings.com/ca/tournaments/the-square-based-open-toronto-2025
*Tournament Pack*:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGT7sX3wrE/5WoxiSnafq8G2Z88Fn1MhA/view?utm_content=DAGT7sX3wrE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h66f336931c
*The Las Vegas Open*
*Results*:
https://oldworldrankings.com/us/tournaments/lvo-xii-the-old-world-champs
*Tournament Pack*
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lD5-0cONDnlUv24bKi_IYyj4ds9wi_5Epr8sF3_QE9w/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.wevxs8p5amo7
*Michigan GT*
*Results*:
https://oldworldrankings.com/us/tournaments/tow-gt-michigan-gt-2025-2500-pt
*Tournament Pack*
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18csO0dKZ8lpaiKAE58Kc4Y5qU51HfNMR/view
*MOAB*
*Results*:
https://oldworldrankings.com/au/tournaments/old-world-moab-2025
*Tournament Pack*:
https://www.sutherlandshiregamers.org/wp-content/uploads/MOAB-2025-Old-World-Players-Pack-Updated.pdf
MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
► *Rob's Old World EVENTS in Nottingham!* https://tsnarena.com/events/category/the-old-world/
► *The California Cup in Los Angeles ! Nov 14-16!* https://greenbannereventco.com/product-category/california-cup/
► Support us on PATREON and join us on Discord: https://www.patreon.com/Squarebased
MERCH!
https://thehonestwargamer.com/product-category/square-based/
Square Based terrain maps and resources:
https://thehonestwargamer.com/the-old-world-terrain-guidelines/
Youtube Music Playlist for Audio Only:
https://tinyurl.com/SB-YouTube-Music-Playlist
Podcast on all other Platforms:
https://squarebasedpodcast.podbean.com/
#squarebased #warhammertheoldworld #warhammerfantasy
Listen to Square Based: A Warhammer Fantasy in the Old World, Your Garden Coach NZ and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
New Zealand