Games Workshop recently dropped a new article about Warhammer: The Old World exploring how magic works in the upcoming game landing in 2024. With the removable of the Magic Phase, spell-slinging mages, witches and warlocks are going to find themselves using magic throughout a turn.

High Elf Mage Art // Warhammer: The Old World

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One of the first things to remember is that because The Old World is set in an earlier period of Warhammer Fantasy history, the Colleges Of Magic have not been established. Still, some study the different winds of magic although not tied into the traditional lores that you'd expect. Instead, there are eight approaches to magic included in the core rules. Battle Magic, Dark Magic, Daemonology, Elementalism, High Magic, Illusion, Necromancy and Waaagh! Magic.

Many spellcasters in The Old World will have access to multiple options but you'll then select one of these at the start of a battle. Each Lore features seven spells with a signature spell and then more that fall into different categories like the ones below.

Spell Categories // Warhammer: The Old World

These spells are cast throughout the different phases rather than all in one go like they used to be. That means that spells feel appropriately linked to the phases that they have the most effect on. When it comes to casting a spell, you'll roll 2D6 and add the skill level of the caster (which runs from one to four).

The roll of a double one will end up in your miscasting the spell where you'll then roll on the table below. You can also roll a double six which is a perfect invocation. As with classic Warhammer Fantasy Battles, the miscast table is exactly as explosive as you'd expect.

Miscast Table // Warhammer: The Old World

Enemy spellcasters can also try and stop you from casting your spells. If they are within the correct range then you can also roll 2D6 and see if you can best the roll of your opponent. The design team did say that they have cut down on the range of spells and indeed the range at which you can look to dispell your opponent's magic. So, you will have to think more about where you place your spellcasters rather than just hiding them at the back of your army.

To give you an idea of the statistics of a spellcaster in The Old World, Games Workshop also showcased the Handmaidens Of The Lady.

Handmaidens Of The Lady // Warhammer: The Old World

As you can see, they have access to three different Lores of magic and can be a lowly level one caster or go all the way up to level four depending on if you go for a Damsel or Prophetess. With some spells we've seen coming in around the casting level of seven or eight, that means that you've got a fairly good chance of casting your spells regardless of level BUT going up in levels will make it easier to do (obviously). It seems a good way to do magic quickly without the player's turn grinding to a halt.

Factions like the Dwarfs will have their own way of approaching magic which is good to see and also be resistant to magic making it harder to cast magic on them! I can't wait to start using my runes to good effect on the battlefield!

What do you make of the change to the magic rules?