Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (WFRP) is one of the most iconic tabletop roleplaying games, set in the dark and gritty Old World of Warhammer Fantasy. The second edition of WFRP, released in March 2005, marked a major revival of the game under Black Industries, a publishing division of Games Workshop’s Black Library.
Evolution of the System
The second edition was developed in collaboration with Green Ronin Publishing, retaining the core mechanics of the original while refining key systems. Major updates included:
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A reworked magic system
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Streamlined character creation and progression
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Updated lore reflecting post-Storm of Chaos (2004) events in the Warhammer Fantasy Battle timeline
Expanding the World
With the release of the second edition core rulebook, a series of supplements followed:
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Paths of the Damned – A full campaign trilogy
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Old World Bestiary – Featuring creatures of the realm
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Sigmar’s Heirs and Tome of Corruption – Deep dives into the Empire and Chaos respectively
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Stand-alone adventures and game master tools
These additions provided both new players and veterans with immersive content grounded in grim and perilous storytelling.
Transition to Fantasy Flight Games
In January 2008, Black Industries announced its exit from the roleplaying market. Its final WFRP release was The Thousand Thrones campaign. That same year, Fantasy Flight Games (FFG) acquired the rights to publish Warhammer RPGs. FFG continued supporting second edition with:
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Career Compendium
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Shades of Empire
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New settings and modules
Their work maintained the legacy of WFRP before they eventually moved on to create a third edition with new mechanics.
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Conclusion
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (Second Edition) remains a fan-favorite among tabletop RPG enthusiasts for its blend of dark lore, rich storytelling, and accessible mechanics. Whether you’re revisiting the Old World or diving in for the first time, the second edition offers a legendary experience.