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Hordes is a thrilling 30mm tabletop miniature wargame by Privateer Press, first unleashed at Gen Con 2005 and hitting tables on April 22, 2006. Designed as a companion to Warmachine, it’s a standalone beast that shares the Iron Kingdoms setting but cranks up the wild, primal energy. Think savage warbeasts, cunning warlocks, and battles dripping with testosterone-laden aggression, as the rulebook boldly declares.
Hordes swaps Warmachine’s focus system for a "fury" mechanic that’s all about risk management. Warlocks force their warbeasts to unleash devastating attacks, generating fury points. You can leach that fury to cast spells or heal, but push too far, and your beasts go berserk, spiraling into chaos. This dynamic system keeps every turn intense and unpredictable.
Hordes and Warmachine are like two sides of the same bloody coin. Their rules are nearly identical, letting you pit Hordes’ feral factions against Warmachine’s mechanized armies without missing a beat. Whether you’re clashing trolls against steamjacks or warbeasts against warcasters, the seamless integration makes for epic crossover battles.
Hordes boasts six unique factions, each with its own flavor of destruction:
Trollbloods: Hardy trolls banding together to defend their lands.
Circle Orboros: Druids and beasts wielding nature’s wrath.
Skorne: Ruthless conquerors with disciplined warbeasts.
Legion of Everblight: Dragon-tainted horrors led by a sinister warlock.
Minions: Mercenaries like farrow and gatormen, ready to fight for the right price.
Grymkin: Twisted nightmare creatures born from folklore.
Each faction offers distinct playstyles, from the Trollbloods’ brute resilience to the Legion’s glass-cannon aggression, ensuring there’s a warband for every strategist.
Hordes is more than a tabletop game—it’s a savage, strategic plunge into the Iron Kingdoms’ wild heart. With its unique fury mechanic, diverse factions, and seamless Warmachine compatibility, it’s no wonder players have been battling since 2006. Whether you’re a newbie assembling your first Trollbloods or a veteran plotting Skorne conquests, Hordes delivers endless thrills.
