Hobby Review - The Old World Builder

Warhammer The Old World

Hobby Review - The Old World Builder .com

Old-world-builder.com Home Screen

PROLOGUE

Gildoren arrived late, but packing his usual sanguine swagger, a visible breeze of smugness preceding his golden slippers like a herald of sweet cologne and unresolved daddy issues. His entrance sucked the mirth out of the inn like a tax inspector at a wedding.

The Fat Dwarf looked up from his tankard, a foamy monument to neglect, and glanced toward The Tabletop Hobbit. Not a flicker of recognition danced across the halfling’s face. He was too busy staring into the middle distance, knuckle-deep in a nostril excavation project of staggering ambition.

“Good evening,” declared Gildoren, sliding onto a dainty little stool with the poise of someone who alphabetises their battle plans.

“Well,” rumbled the dwarf, shifting his weight to ensure his signature eyebrow raise got the full theatrical arc, “that remains tae be seen..”

“Erm.. When do we get pudding?” asked the hobbit, his voice filled with concern, and the innocent intensity of someone who has absolutely not read the room.

There was a pause. Both elf and dwarf turned slowly toward the halfling with the shared expression of those who have walked into a room to find a goblin wearing their pajamas. Not shocked. Sadly, just… resigned.

The Fat Dwarf leaned toward Gildoren, eyes narrowing. “Ye interrupted me finest drinking hour, elf. So unless you brought pudding and a bribe, what the blazes did ye dig up in that glorified treehouse ye call a library?”

“Well, my pungent little friends…” began Gildoren.

“Aaand there it is..” groaned the dwarf, cutting through Gildoren’s preamble and tipping his head back like he was suffering from acute elf-induced indigestion. “I tell ye, stop saying we’re pals in public…“.

Crystal Codes for Element Games RIC134 or ROB8508

The hobbit, meanwhile, was still staring at Gildoren with a look of pure wonder, as though the elf had just conjured a roast chicken from his sleeve. A sizeable, soggie-green bogie now dangled heroically from one nostril like a wartime battle banner.

“I have found our next quest,” Gildoren intoned, stretching the moment like a street magician who’s just pulled a snotling out of his hat. “We must locate… THE OLD WORLD ARMY BUILDER… and review it for public consumption.”

At the word “consumption”, the hobbit sprang from his stool like a fat little cork fired from a bottle of mead, landing on the wooden floor with a gloriously undignified splorp, then scrambled to his feet, slung on his pack, grabbed his absurdly large butter knife of a sword, and marched straight out the door like a man deeply committed to having no idea what’s going on.

The elf and dwarf stared after him as he marched out of the pub. Pots and Pans jingling as he disappeared into the darkness of the street.

“We’ve got maybe half an hour,” muttered the dwarf, “before that wazok figures out he’s on a quest with no map, no clue, and no one else…”

Game View allows for the traditional Roster Sheet configuration. 

BACKGROUND

Since the of updates for Battlescribe ceased and the fresh start of Warhammer The Old World, we have been using the old world builder to note down our Warhammer "The Old World" army lists.  

When comparing Old World Builder (OWB) with other army building methods for Warhammer: The Old World, there are several key aspects to consider: ease of use, depth of customisation, and how well it integrates with the lore and rules of the game.

Opening OWB You can immediately start scheming…

WHATS THE "Old World Builder" 

Old World Builder (OWB) is an online army builder designed specifically for Warhammer: The Old World, making it a dedicated tool for fans of the classic game. It provides an intuitive, web-based interface that allows players to quickly construct army lists based on official Warhammer: The Old World rules. The tool is particularly strong in terms of:

• Ease of Use: OWB’s interface is streamlined and relatively simple. You can select your faction, add units, and modify points quickly. The drag-and-drop features make it feel user-friendly, even for beginners.

• Faction-Specific Details: It includes a rich set of options for each faction, taking into account unique rules, units, and upgrades. For example, it automatically updates points costs based on the latest FAQ or changes, and it ensures compliance with faction restrictions (e.g., minimum and maximum unit sizes, Lord/Hero choices.

• As the images demonstrate, embedded links for special rules and the main rulebook are massive time savers, allowing instant rules information to be accessed, very useful on a granular game like the Old World. 

• There is a 'share list' option which allows for tournament and pre game roster swapping, additionally an option to hide points and magic items (or not) is included.

• OWB is rapidly updated. The TOW 1.5 FAQ was added within 24 hours, and the whole Battle March rules / scenario set was added in a couple of days.

However, there are a few trade-offs:

• Online-Only Access: Since OWB is web-based, you need an internet connection to use it. If you’re offline or traveling, this could be inconvenient. 

• You can’t register a profile and so can only save armies on a device which you will have handy later, while playing.

• Limited to Official Rules: While the tool is comprehensive, it’s tied strictly to Warhammer: The Old World’s published material, which may limit some more niche or house-rule options.

OWB remembers your previous army lists

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OTHER METHODS

1. Manual Army Building (Books & Paper):

• Pros: Some players prefer the tactile experience of constructing army lists manually, using the official army books and point calculators. This method offers the flexibility to include custom or homebrew rules and combinations not necessarily available in official army builders. Obviously, you SHOULD BUY THE BLOOMIN' BOOK because you want all the other cool stuff too. Lore, collection tips and the narrative fluff of the story arc. This all adds the depth, humour and jeopardy to your games.

• Cons: This method can be time-consuming and prone to human error, especially when calculating points, keeping track of unit choices, and ensuring compliance with the current FAQs and rules. It also requires constant reference to multiple sources like the rulebook, army book, and FAQs, which can be cumbersome.

Special rules explanations are very helpful mid game

2. Warhammer Army Project (WAP) & Other Online Builders:

• Pros: Tools like the Warhammer Army Project are popular alternatives that offer deep customization and support for both Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer: The Old World. These platforms often allow you to tweak points, rules, and unit choices more freely, making them ideal for players who want flexibility beyond the official army list.

• Cons: While the flexibility is a bonus, it also means that it might not always align with official Games Workshop restrictions or FAQs, which can lead to legal or balance issues. Additionally, these builders can be overwhelming to new users due to their complexity.

A summary of the main rules is available to review too.

3. BattleScribe:

• Pros: BattleScribe is a widely used army-building tool across many tabletop games, including Warhammer Fantasy. It offers a vast library of army rosters and options for Warhammer: The Old World, including multiple unofficial fan-made entries. BattleScribe’s offline capabilities are a huge benefit for players who don’t always have access to the internet.

• Cons: BattleScribe’s interface can feel a bit clunky, and managing multiple armies or tracking updates can sometimes be confusing. It also relies on community-supported files, which means that some data may not always be up-to-date or accurate with the latest official changes.

Clicking on Special Rules / Items etc will open up further information panels.

Crystal Codes for Element Games RIC134 or ROB8508

CONCLUSION

Old World Builder is an excellent choice for those looking for a streamlined, easy-to-use online army builder that adheres to the current Warhammer: The Old World rule set. It is particularly good for players who prioritise quick list-building and lore driven unit choices. However, for those who value flexibility or want to make more experimental or homebrew army lists, tools like BattleScribe or Warhammer Army Project might offer the depth and customisation they seek. While manual army building remains the traditional method for many, Old World Builder offers a modern and efficient alternative that is well-suited to most players’ needs.

Muster the throng. we march to WAR!

The Fat Dwarf