An Army Book in the Warhammer Fantasy tabletop wargame, is a rules supplement containing information concerning a particular army, environment, or worldwide campaign.
Army Books for particular armies were introduced for the fourth edition of the game (prior to that all armies were included in the main rulebook). The sixth edition rendered these obsolete. Until superseded by newer versions, the 6th edition and later books remain valid for the newer editions of Warhammer.
Games Workshop has also released various expansions over the years, including a siege rules supplement and campaign expansions. Expansions and Supplements may or may not be valid over multiple editions, though generally they cycle similarly to the Army Books.
An Army Book normally contains:
Background - Information about the race and its place in the Warhammer world. This includes artwork, short stories, maps, timelines and copies of fictional documents.
Bestiary - A list of the units, characters and war machines that can be chosen for use in a battle. This includes their characteristic values, information on their weapon options, and any limitations on their use, as well as background information on each unit. An Army's special magic lore (if applicable) and special magic items are listed here.
Hobby section - Information on collecting, building and painting an army from the army book. This features outstanding example models painted by veteran hobbyists and Games Workshop's 'Eavy Metal team.
Army List - Each entry from the bestiary is arranged by type (Lord, Hero, Core, Special, Rare) and given a points value, with more powerful units costing more points, so that battles are fought between balanced armies. Options and costs are listed here.
Current Books
Army Books
8th Edition
8th Edition Army Books are hardcover and full color. 8th Edition was released July 2010.
Games Workshop and Warhammer Forge (the fantasy division of Forge World, a subsidiary of Games Workshop) have released expansions to the 8th edition game.
Supplement
Notes
ISBN
Release Date
The End Times: Archaon
Volume 5 of the End Times Expansion, contains the grand legion of the everchosen list
TBA
March 2015
The End Times: Thanquol
Volume 4 of the End Times Expansion
TBA
January 2015
The End Times: Khaine
Volume 3 of the End Times Expansion, contains the combined Elves army lists
TBA
November 2014
The End Times: Glottkin
Volume 2 of the End Times Expansion, contains the Legions of Chaos army list
TBA
October 2014
The End Times: Nagash
Volume 1 of the End Times Expansion, contains the Undead Legions army list
TBA
August 2014
Warhammer Battlefields: The Underway
Campaign Expansion
Digital Release
February 2014
Sigmar's Blood
Campaign Expansion
unknown
December 2013
Scrolls of Binding Compendium
Monster Expansion for Storm of Magic
Digital Release
December 2013
Blood in the Snow
Seasonal Scenario
Digital Release
December 2013
Vanguard Clash
Linked Battles Scenario
Digital Release
December 2013
Triumph and Treachery
Multiplayer Games Expansion
unknown
November 2013
Warhammer Battlefields: Northern Wastes
Campaign Expansion
Digital Release
October 2013
Warhammer Battlefields: Border Wars
Campaign Expansion
Digital Release
August 2013
Warhammer Battlefields: Lustria
Campaign Expansion
Digital Release
August 2013
Civil War
White Dwarf rules for battles between forces from the same Army Book, also released Digitally
N/A
June–August 2012
Monstrous Arcanum
Monsters and Campaign Expansion by Warhammer Forge
unknown
April 2012
Blood in the Badlands
Campaign Expansion
ISBN 978-1-907964-46-6
December 2011
Tamurkhan: Throne of Chaos
Campaign Expansion by Warhammer Forge; Contains the Chaos Dwarf army list
unknown
October 2011
Storm of Magic
Magic and Monsters Expansion
unknown
July 2011
Battlescrolls
Games Workshop and the Black Library (the Publishing arm of GW) have released Battlescrolls for Warhammer Fantasy. They are digitally released and expand the options available to players, as well as contain background on their subject. Most are formations that can be added to any army as a unit outside of the normal army organization. Some (noted below) are additions to specific army lists and are taken following the normal rules for their unit type.