Download Kings Of War 2nd Edition Rules & Backstager Forces Of The Abyss!
July 10, 2015 by brennon
It's finally here for you to download. Mantic's Kings of War 2nd Edition is now available for Free Download which means you can get started with your mighty armies and begin a clash of arms on the battlefield...
Kings Of War 2nd Edition Free Download
It shouldn't take you long to download and once you have it you'll have something new to experiment with over the coming weekend. Can't say better than that!
What's Inside?
Inside the PDF you get the Core Rules for the game alongside not one, not two, but nine different factions. These are...
- Abyssal Dwarfs
- Basileans
- Dwarfs
- Elves
- Goblins
- Kingdoms of Men
- Orcs
- Ogres
- Undead
I think that I might have to finally get around to making that Ogre army I've always been interested in OR diving into finishing off the Undead one. Basically I have too many models just sitting there that could make for a good game of Kings of War. No excuse now!
Backstage Exclusive
Exclusive for Backstagers we also have a download of the Forces of the Abyss Rules and stats for you since they won't be out until the 2nd Edition Rulebook comes out!
Free Forces of the Abyss Rules For Backstagers
If you want to grab these for download and cause some panic on the tabletop with these demonic denizens then we aren't going to stop you!
The Rulebook
The PDF download above is free (and always will be) but that doesn't mean your Kings of War experience stops there. In August the main 2nd Edition Rulebook will launch containing...
- Rules written by Alessio Cavatore (Warhammer 40,000, Bolt Action) and the Mantic Rules Committee. Kings of War is a game for gamers, by gamers.
- Compelling new background, art and photography that invoke a powerful realm of swords and sorcery.
- Elegant easy-to-learn rules, balanced and playtested by the community for casual and tournament play.
- New Magic Spells and Artefacts
- Eleven Force Lists upgraded with new units, including Forces of the Abyss, Forces of Nature, Undead, Dwarfs, Elves, Abyssal Dwarfs, Goblins, Orcs, Ogres, Basileans and the Kingdoms of Men.
Which means you're going to be getting two more Factions for the battlefield and a whole host of background to immerse you in the world of Mantica.
Want To Learn More?
- Everything You Need To Know About Kings of War Part One
- Everything You Need To Know About Kings Of War Part Two
Conquering Kings Of War
So, with that all said and done we want to not only see your armies over on the forums but it would be fantastic for you to tell us how your games of Kings of War have gone over the coming weekend. We'd love to hear about the legendary clashes and (inevitable) funny moments that crop up.
Get downloading!
"The PDF download above is free (and always will be) but that doesn’t mean your Kings of War experience stops there. In August the main 2nd Edition Rulebook will launch containing…"
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"Inside the PDF you get the Core Rules for the game alongside not one, not two, but nine different factions"
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This is why the low cost of backstage is worth it.
Been waiting a long time for this! I have exactly 1 tomb kings skeleton done for my KoW undead army. Time to either buckle down and finish a few units or give up and switch to ogres or something with fewer troops to build and paint.
do it do the ogres they’re spanking gorgeous. Of course I got an email from Mantic today with a sneak peak of the greater obsidian golem….so might have to give abyssal dwarfs a go instead 😉
easy, do both or better do them all 😉
well matey that’s what I’ve done, well I say all, undead; ogres; dwarfs; basileans; with abyssal dwarfs; forces of nature and abyssals ordered.
….
I have a problem 🙂
You sure ain’t the only one I have so much from the 1st time arounde – 2+K Undead and 2+K Ogers and the loose stuff i.e. a fw bits for each army – and I did pick up a Goblin army of some size …- that I did stick to the book this time .
My name is Rasmus and I am a Miniholic
loving that list, roll on October(ish) so I can get my Abyssal army.
Great job guys there’s a lot more in it than I expected based on the Kickstarter, can’t wait to see what Ronnie and chums have in mind for some of the other units we’ve not yet seen.
Mantic shows how it’s done right.
Just be aware, the army lists are not absolutely everything you can get, its about 2/3. I nearly cried when I didnt see one of my units, but they are legal, just not in the free rules bit yet
I’m interested in trying the 2nd ed. KoW and Warthrone rules out. They both evolve the old Warhammer take on things, but in somewhat different directions, at least based on my reading of them. And I will really enjoy seeing Mantic put out their Not Warhammer army lists for the factions they didn’t already have covered.
the not-skaven, not-beatmen lists are available on the forum already for playtesting along with a halfling list, they all seem very solid so it bodes well for the other lists in future. Worth popping along and checking out if you’re interested in either of those lists, or to see their take on armies not currently in Mantics canon.
Sorry but i have an back stage pass but i can t download the files of the abyss. Whyyyyyyy? 😉
Hey,
I’ve the same problem.
Was this “quick-fix/KoW 2.0 featurette” made simply for fishing up all WH players the day before AoS or was this pre-release planned all along? 😉
The irony of a real mass battle system being released just on top of the “non”mass battle from GW where not lost on me
Makes you wonder if Mantic activated a sleeper agent in GW. It just seems too convenient that within a week of each other, one company’s fantasy mass-battle becomes no more and another company releases the latest edition of their rules.
you’re not suggesting that the Bear Wizard tipped Ronnie the nod?
Another terrible business decision by GW. These rules have been coming out now for ages. Somehow GW managed to plan to eliminate their mass battle fantasy range at exactly the same time.
Maybe some industry research should have been completed. I’m a professional investor and there is no way I would touch GW. They are run by a pack of idiots.
Mantic hit the jackpot with this one.
it was planned for a long time based off the kickstarter, despite that it does seem fortuitous doesn’t it 😉
Been so looking forward to this for a while now. Very happy the time has come to play Kings of War. Now all I need is to finish painting and converting my elves so I can get to work on the Salamanders and Abyssals that I got in the Kickstarter.
I don’t want to start up a war, but I checked out the kickstarter page for KoW 2nd ed. and some backers there are unhappy we got the Abyssal army list before they did. I don’t know know what to make of it. I have backed a kickstarter project in the past and not expected to get anything but what I helped to fund; But I also don’t want to dismiss peoples’ complaints.
See the Robotech Tactics topic on a recent Weekender for a similar story. Warren and the ladz discussed that controversy well.
I really hope they did not rush this release to get it out in time.
and did they just increase the base size of the gargolyes to 25mm? I got 20mm bases with them in the KS, they did seem on the small side. oh well, At least this might help stop them tipping over all the time.
no the gargoyles always came on a 25mm I got them in the first KS also
BoW backstagers should NOT of received the FoA lists before KS backers. KS backers backed Mantics project and should of been shown some respect and not slapped in the face. It is also my opinion that BoW BS should NOT of gotten the WP beta rules early. They should of been released at the same time for EVERYONE and not shown favoritism to BoW BS.
I don’t mind that the FoA list came out on BS first, it’s obviously something Mantic have done with BoW to try and drum up a bit more support and interest in KoW. Likewise the WP beta rules came here first, but when they went live on Mantics forum for everyone they added more rules to it, like a staggered release, but you know what they say about pleasing all the people all the time. Some just feel the urge to be aggrieved all the time and will look reasons. The fact I have to wait a couple more weeks… Read more »
Gonna give some not skaven a spin 🙂
So this is the future of fantasy wargaming ? Couldn’t be a better time to get in on it.
Another great reason to join Backstage btw.
Well it’s just part of it. Now that GW is out of the mass battle business there is a huge void that needs to be filled. I don’t think KoW will be the be all and end all of mass fantasy battles in 5 years. We’ve got movies like Warcraft coming out and the Total War: Warhammer (which GW could jump on if it’s successful) to drum up interest in the genre and I’m certain others will compete to fill GW shoes.
maybe not *the* future, but certainly *a* future, Avatars of War have finally put up an english pdf for Warthrone so I’ll be giving that a go as well, I’m already a big fan of Kings of War so it’s a no brainer. Finally of course there is WFB I’ll still be playing 8th with my group so it’s not a huge impact on me. With the ETC in Prague this week, I wonder what the tournament players think of the whole thing, should be interesting next week once it’s over to see how it all pans out.
The reason the Kickstarter Backers are upset, is due to a number of factors. (1) Models that where funded and said to be included in various pledge levels during the funding period, are now being said to be add-on purchase only. Mantic staff have stated this in the comments section, leaving us wondering why the change and what else has changed. (2) The FULL rules (not a subset as what was released) where to be made available to backers. Instead, a subset of the rules where released to everyone BUT some non-backers who where not part of the funding, have… Read more »
Whilst I know all about the rules release issue, what’s this about models changing inclusion in pledges?
Wait, found it. Ronaldo the pledge manager breaking bard. So when you say ‘models’ you mean ‘model’. Got it.
And Mantic have apologised for the mix up with the Ronaldo the Bard mini – It is still include din the pledges so no change has been made there 🙂
Need an official list for the rodents, and then I’m there!
you’ll have to wait for the book to be published later this year, the test list on the forum is robust enough at present and they’re looking for feedback on it to finalise it before it gets released. You should give it a whirl and let them know what you think. Go on, you know you want to…it’ll make you happy
Be nice to dust off the old Lizards when they release the Reptilian rules. Had a quick glance at the main rules and looks good
I backed the Kings of War kickstarter because I think the product and the company are worth investing in. I like the way Ronnie at Mantic put across the core values of what he believes wargaming to be and how we all can gain better games from it. I will also be using my old Warhammer armies for KOW as I have already done so in its current edition. I wish mantic all the luck when the rules are released to the general public. I can only echo the comments above in that the low cost of backstage makes Beasts… Read more »
Thanks guys! Great preview on what i’m going to get when my KS army gets to me!
I’m reading the full book PDF right now, it’s sweeeeeeeeeeeet