The Year in Pannithor

Hello everyone,

First things first – from everyone here at Mantic, thank you for helping to make 2025 another outstanding year in the world of Pannithor. We’ve seen some huge new releases this year, including an entirely new game system in Kings of War Champions, a new and improved edition of Kings of War, and, of course, a brand-new faction, the Xirkaali Empire.

Beyond all of that though, 2025 has been a year in which Pannithor itself has increasingly come into its own as a setting, with its rich history, diverse geography and colourful cast of characters coming ever more to the forefront. If you want to play your games in a living, breathing fantasy world – with the occasional chance for your battles to shape the official history of that world! – then Pannithor welcomes you.

In today’s article we’re going to take a look back at some of the highlights from 2025, and give you just a little sneak peek at what’s on the horizon in 2026. Let’s get to it.

KINGS OF WAR 4^TH EDITION – A NEW ERA BEGINS

First revealed in September, Kings of War 4^th Edition is now here, and it represents the most significant evolution of the game since its inception. We were delighted to welcome back Alessio Cavatore, the game’s original designer, who returned to head up the core rules design. Alessio had a clear goal: to tidy up and refine the system, making it more approachable than ever for newcomers while fully preserving the tactical depth and unmistakable “Kings of War feeling” that veterans know and love.

But it's not just about the rules. More than ever before, the world of Pannithor sits at the heart of Kings of War in 4^th edition. Launching alongside the main rulebook, the Invasion book marks the beginning of an expansive new narrative arc, and sets in motion conflict on a truly grand scale. The story will be told over the coming years via more expansion books, novels and, of course, global gaming events in which YOU and your army will be able to play a part.

THE XIRKAALI – A NEW THREAT FROM THE EAST

Marching onto tables alongside the new edition are the Xirkaali, an entirely new faction on the battlefields of Pannithor.

Narratively, the Xirkaali emerge from the east, driven into action by the uncontrolled magical energies unleashed after the opening of Halpi’s Rift. Viewing the chaos engulfing western Pannithor as a threat that must be contained, they march not as conquerors in the traditional sense, but as enforcers of their own uncompromising vision of order. Their arrival signals a major escalation in the ongoing story of Pannithor, and their role in future conflicts has only just begun...

KINGS OF WAR CHAMPIONS – FORGE YOUR LEGEND IN BATTLE

2025 also saw the launch of an entirely new way to experience warfare in Pannithor: Kings of War Champions.

Designed to serve as both a compact, tactical game in its own right, and as a fast-paced, low-model-count gateway into the world of rank and flank wargaming, Champions lets you play out an exciting fantasy battle on a small table in an hour or less. It skips list-building and instead presents you with a pre-determined force to play with straight out of the box, making it even easier to get started.

At the heart of Kings of War Champions are the Champions themselves – named characters with their own identities, motivations, and growing importance within Pannithor. With the release of 4^th edition, these characters are also now available to select as units in their respective Kings of War armies.

Nine Champions companies have been released in 2025, and there are more on the way (see below for more on that).

FURTHER ADVENTURES IN PANNITHOR

2025 also saw support for other games set in Pannithor. Two more campaign expansions were released for Dungeon Saga Origins: Daughters of Doom featuring the Abyssal Dwarfs as enemies, and Mirrors of Malice featuring the Twilight Kin. And an Undead fleet was released for Armada via the Mantic Vault.

There were also a string of new novels released in the Tales of Pannithor series, the most recent of which is Stand at Callenspire by Joshua Reynolds, which ties closely into the events of the Invasion expansion book.

If you’re looking for further insights into the Xirkaali and the threat that they pose, be sure to check it out – it also happens to be a ripping good yarn!

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT – CLASH OF KINGS 2025

Clash of Kings 2025, held in Nottingham in September, was once again the biggest Kings of War tournament ever, with close to 200 participants. Here’s what organiser Steve Hildrew had to say about it:

Steve: In 2025 we ran the biggest and best Clash of Kings tournament to date! Don't just take my word for it, here's some of the feedback we got (really, I didn't make this up):

"Brilliant event. Thank you to all the TOs and people who helped make it just a wonderful experience."

"It's the highlight of my year!"

"Best ever tournament I've played in since 1986....and that's a lot of tournaments…"

2026 brings a new edition of Kings of War but the same incredible Clash of Kings will return, even bigger and even better! Look out for Clash 26 tickets going on sale 1st Feb 2026!

Thank you Steve! And thank you to everyone in our wonderful community who organised or attended a Kings of War, Kings of War Champions or Armada event this year, no matter how large or small. Ultimately, good times with good people is what this is all about.

THE SCRYING GEM REVEALS A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE

So…where next? This year, in releasing Kings of War Champions and Kings of War 4^th Edition, the foundations have been laid for a bold new era in Pannithor. In 2026, we will muster our forces and march ahead into that new era!

For Kings of War, the next major release on the horizon is Fracture, the second expansion book that follows on from Invasion. Arriving in early summer, it will move the story of the Xirkaali invasion further forward, and set the scene for even more tumultuous events to come.

It will also shine the spotlight on four more factions, chief of which will be the Forces of Nature (as Ronnie revealed at our Open Day this year – he can’t be trusted with any secrets!). They will be getting some gorgeous new hard plastic kits, and the other featured factions will be getting some cool new miniatures too, of course. Stay tuned for further reveals in the coming months. (Ronnie: Fair warning! With us doing new plastic kits you should wait until you’ve seen the new list and new models before starting a Nature army – it’s going to be revamped!)

We also have a global summer campaign coming, in which you and your army will once again have the chance to influence the fate of Pannithor. Between now and then, we’ll be running a slow-grow army-building challenge as we build our own new armies for Kings of War - it’s set to kick off towards the end of January, so keep an eye out for more info on that right here on the blog.

Kings of War Champions won’t be forgotten in 2026 either. New Champions and their companies will be arriving, starting with Xorxoi Prowlmaster of the Xirkaali, who will be stalking on to your battlefields in spring.

Allanis Sullustis and the Bloody Cardinal from the Faith and Fury two-player starter set will be getting their own standalone company releases, and there may also be a few more brand-new Champions on the horizon…

A FINAL WORD

2025 has been a year of foundations laid and banners raised. With new rules, new heroes and new threats emerging, Pannithor feels more alive than ever!

On behalf of all of Team Mantic, thank you for being part of the journey so far. Now, enjoy the holidays and begin sharpening your blades for next year. We’ll see you in 2026!