Getting Started with Kings of War

The Fantasy Mass‑Battle Miniatures Game

Easy to Start, Rewarding to Master

Kings of War is a fantasy mass‑battle tabletop game created by legendary designer Alessio Cavatore, and widely regarded as one of the most beginner-friendly mass-battle tabletop games. As well as a richly compelling new fantasy world to explore, it offers large‑scale battles with faster turns and cleaner rules than many other wargaming systems.

If you’re new to fantasy wargaming, or a returning player, Kings of War is designed to be easy to learn, fast to play, and deeply tactical without overwhelming rules complexity. That balance makes it an ideal choice for first‑time players looking for a complete and rewarding tabletop experience.

Now in its 4th Edition, Kings of War has stood the test of time - and is enjoyed by a friendly, fast‑growing global community. The game and setting continues to evolve through rich lore, modern miniature design, and streamlined rules that reward strategic thinking rather than memorisation.

Unlike most miniature games, Kings of War uses multi‑based units instead of single figures. This small but revolutionary feature gives players the hobby opportunity to create dramatic unit dioramas, hugely speeds up gameplay, and makes transporting full armies easier, all while enhancing the spectacle of movie-like massed fantasy battles.

The Best Way to Start Kings of War

Kings of War 4th Edition is designed so that new players can start playing quickly and confidently. Read below for your correct first step, and everything else builds from there. For most new players, that first step is the Claws in the Sand 2-Player Starter Set - but let's also consider several different player types:

For existing Kings of War players stepping up from 3rd Edition, we recommend simply beginning with the new hardback rulebook - which gives you the core and advanced rules, all from the outset. Just click HERE.

For existing miniature gamers new to Kings of War: we recommend beginning with the highly-reviewed 2‑Player Starter Set, Claws in the Sand, which contains:

• Two balanced, playable forces - the Trident Realm and Xirkaali Empire - both easy to expand in the future when you're ready
• The core rules needed to play
• A perfect setup for learning with a friend

You can find the 2-Player Starter Set, Claws in the Sand, HERE.

Finally, if you're totally new to the hobby and want the easiest route into rank-and-flank battles: consider Kings of War Champions, a compact and streamlined introduction to this style of game - based around iconic heroes and villains and their loyal warbands, rather than sprawling armies, while still introducing key mechanics of the larger game. You can find that starter set HERE.