
- BGG rank
- BGG #10,970
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Doom of the Eldar
- 2 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 1993

1993
Rules assistance for Warmaster
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Warmaster is a board game released in 1993 for 2 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Jervis Johnson and its main mechanics are Area Movement, Dice Rolling, and Point to Point Movement.
Originally published by Games Workshop in White Dwarf 161 and now available to download on GW's Spanish site, Warmaster (no relation to the 2000 miniatures game) is a two-player board game that recreates the Emperor's attack on Horus's battle barge at the end of the Battle for Earth. At the start of the game the Imperial player has no idea where Warmaster Horus is located and must search the ship to find him as quickly as possible. Hidden perils confront the Imperial player, who will face traps and ambushes, as they search for the Warmaster. As the game progresses, the Emperor's dwindling forces will face greater numbers of Traitors as they, the traitors, receive reinforcements. The Emperor is in a race against time to defeat Horus or die trying. The Traitor player wins by killing the Emperor and the Imperial player wins by killing Horus, if both are killed at the same time, the game is a draw.
Warmaster supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Warmaster is 30 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Warmaster for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Warmaster has a complexity rating of 2.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Warmaster belongs to these categories: Fighting, Wargame, and Science Fiction. Its main mechanics are Area Movement, Dice Rolling, and Point to Point Movement. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Warmaster are: Jervis Johnson. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Warmaster as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.