RuneQuest: Warlords (v1.0.0)

Ancient rivalries, hostile wilderness, and invading Chaos define this turn-based strategy campaign set in Glorantha’s famously strange fantasy world. RuneQuest: Warlords follows Hahlgrim, a champion of the Bilings tribe in Talastar, as he gathers an unlikely force to hold back an overwhelming threat in the lands leading toward Dorastor. The tone is mythic but hard-edged: tribal warriors, Lunar soldiers, elves, monsters, and legendary figures collide in a war shaped as much by religion and magic as steel. Across 18 story missions, the campaign gives RuneQuest lore real tactical weight rather than treating the setting as generic fantasy decoration.

Battles play out on grid-based maps where positioning matters before the first attack lands. Units spend Action Points to move, strike, use skills, and cast spells, while heroes receive greater flexibility to pull off crucial flanks, retreats, or magical combinations. Zones of control restrict enemy movement, making choke points, rough terrain, and protected ranged units essential parts of every engagement. Players command Talastar, Chaos, or Lunar Empire forces, each built around different strengths, from disciplined cavalry and spellcasters to brutal hybrid fighters and monstrous frontline troops. Hero growth centers on affinities with powerful Runes, unlocking instant effects and sustained abilities that demand careful management rather than careless spell spam.

What separates Warlords from many fantasy tactics games is its commitment to Glorantha’s peculiar spiritual logic. Magic comes from Cult Runes and divine connections, giving the battlefield a flavor closer to RuneQuest’s tabletop roots than to a standard fireball-and-swords setting. The faction variety also supports repeat play, while multiplayer scenarios test whether a strong plan survives against human opponents who understand terrain, timing, and resource pressure. Fans of Heroes of Might and Magic-style army composition or the deliberate positional battles of Warhammer strategy games should find plenty to work with here, especially if they want a more lore-heavy world. Newcomers can enjoy the campaign as an introduction, but veteran RuneQuest players are likely to appreciate the recognizable characters, factions, and mythology most.