Warhammer: The Old World has arrived, and with it, four wargamers in Gozo are diving into the ranks and flanks of classic fantasy battles. Some of us are returning to a game we played decades ago, while others are experiencing the magic of square bases for the first time. What we all share is the same goal—to build, paint, and play with fully realized armies in The Old World.
Each of us has chosen a faction that reflects our playstyle, from the disciplined ranks of High Elves to the savage raids of the Beastmen, the righteous charges of Bretonnia, and the cold-blooded precision of the Lizardmen. While some of us are assembling brand-new armies, others are restoring classic collections from Warhammer’s past.
At the heart of this project is the drive to build a Warhammer community in Gozo. Noel is already playing at The Realm of Pure Fantasy in Malta, but the rest of us are still deep in the assembly, painting, and learning phases.
The first goal is simple: 1,000 points per player, ready for battle. Noel may be the first to get a fully built 2,000-point army on the table, but who will be the first to get a painted unit finished?
Meet the Players and Their Armies
Matt – The Dungeons & Dragons Adventurer Turned Wargamer
Matt is completely new to Warhammer, but with years of experience in Dungeons & Dragons, he’s no stranger to rolling dice and strategic thinking. Drawn to the glory of Bretonnia, he’s starting fresh with the Kingdom of Bretonnia Army Box.
His Knights of the Realm, Pegasus Knights, and Archers are fully assembled, but his main challenge lies in painting Bretonnian heraldry. Determined to match the box art, he’s set himself the ambitious task of freehanding intricate knightly designs—a daunting process, but one that will make his army stand out on the battlefield.
His army is fully assembled, and he has started painting his first knight, but he has yet to play his first game.
Michael – The High Elf Revivalist
Michael is no stranger to Warhammer, having played Dwarves and Bretonnians in past editions, but this is his first time commanding a High Elf army. His project is a mix of classic 4th and 5th Edition models, including vintage metal heroes, plastic regiments, and an original 1990s High Elf Spearmen box.
Unlike the others, Michael has already rebased most of his infantry while still in the USA last year, but he still needs to finish rebasing and rebuilding his cavalry. He also has a few sprues of 4th Edition Archers and Spearmen to assemble before his army is complete.
At the center of his collection is his fully painted High Elf Lord on Dragon, a standout piece that sets the standard for the rest of the army. However, since the dragon isn’t in his first 1,000 points, his priority is getting Spearmen, Archers, and Bolt Throwers ready for the table.
Instead of spending weeks layering and highlighting every robe and armor plate, Michael is using Contrast Paints to quickly achieve an old-school aesthetic. With this method, his High Elf Spearmen could be the first fully painted unit in the group.
His Lord on Dragon is painted, and his infantry is mostly rebased, but he still needs to finish assembling and rebasing his cavalry before playing his first game.
Noel – The Veteran Beastlord
Noel is the most experienced player in the group, having played competitively in Malta’s Warhammer scene before The Old World was even announced. He’s already playing regular games at The Realm of Pure Fantasy, meaning his Beastmen lists are being refined through actual battles while the rest of us are still getting armies together.
His army is growing fast, featuring an almost absurd number of Tuskgor Chariots, Chaos Spawn, and a Bray Shaman. He’s also waiting on a Jabberslythe, a terrifying monster that will add fear and disruption to enemy forces.
If anyone is going to have a fully built 2,000-point army first, it’s Noel. However, while he might have the first fully assembled army, he’ll likely be the last to finish painting it.
Most of his army is built and primed, but nothing is fully painted yet. His first games have already been played, but his first painted unit remains a work in progress.
Slawek – The Brewery Warboss
Slawek is returning to Warhammer after years away, but The Old World is completely new to him. He’s also taking a different approach—his Lizardmen will be using a legacy army list, meaning his force will play differently from the standard new TOW lists.
His collection is a mix of metal, plastic, and resin models, featuring a Slann Mage-Priest, Saurus Warriors, Skinks, Cold One Riders, Temple Guard, and a Stegadon. But his biggest challenge isn’t painting—it’s deciding on a color scheme.
The one thing he knows? His Lizardmen won’t be blue. What color they will be is still undecided, but with so many options—red, green, purple, albino—he’s taking his time choosing the right look for his army.
His army is assembled, but rebasing is still in progress, and he has yet to play a game or settle on a color scheme.
What’s Next?
With Noel already gaming in Malta, our next step is to get our first games going in Gozo. Our first matches will be learning games, helping Matt and Slawek get familiar with The Old World rules, while Michael and Noel test their armies’ strengths and weaknesses.
At the same time, the hobby race is on—who will paint the first fully finished unit?
Matt’s knights will take the longest but will be some of the best-looking models when finished.
Michael’s Spearmen might be the first painted unit, thanks to his Contrast Paint method.
Noel could speed-paint some Beastmen, but he’s more likely to just keep assembling chariots.
Slawek’s Skinks could be the surprise winner—quick to paint and easier to finish than larger Saurus Warriors.
Even though legacy factions won’t be getting an army book, they’re still fully playable, which means Slawek’s Lizardmen will be a force to be reckoned with once they hit the table.
Will the Bretonnians hold firm against the Beastmen charge? Will the High Elves outmaneuver their foes? Or will the Lizardmen reclaim their rightful place as the true rulers of The Old World?
Stay tuned as our armies take shape and the first battles of Gozo unfold!