Dawn of War 2 Update 1.5.0 – ‘There Is Only War’ Released

Another one of Relic Entertainment’s ambitious post-release balancing acts goes live today. The "There Is Only War" update for Dawn of War 2, known more prosaically as version 1.5.0, introduces a whole mess of balance changes and even a few new abilities to the units in the game. The list is here.

"There Is Only War" also adds eight new maps that are actually five new maps. One was part of a pre-order exclusive deal and another is actually re-used three times in different configurations based on the number of players in the game (Gamereplays.org has a great analysis of the new maps here). I’ve goofed on Relic for a while that all their maps seem to be set on either Dagobah or Tattoine, but I’m happy to see that at least one of the new maps, Leviathan Hive (pictured), seems to have its own aesthetic. Furthermore, a map editor will be included with the patch, so there should be no shortage of places to fight as players create their own maps.

A completely revised replay feature will make it easier to figure out what’s going when you watch recorded games. For instance, it used to be a mystery what units a player was building and what wargear his commander equipped. "There Is Only War" changes that.

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FFG Launching ‘Warhammer Invasion LCG’ Card Game

In October Fantasy Flight Games is adding Warhammer Invasion to its family of Living Card Games (LCGs), its non-collectible card game format that consists of just two non-randomized skus, starter/core sets and “expansion” packs of 40 fixed cards. Designed by Eric M. Lang, Warhammer Invasion: The Card Game is a two-person game of intense warfare, clever kingdom management, and epic questing.

Players can take on the persona of the indestructible, grudge-holding Dwarves, the shrewd and cunning forces of Empire, the savage and destructive Orcs, or the entropic and ever-mutating forces of Chaos, or they can craft an alliance playing the combined might of the forces of Order or Destruction. Players have to allocate their resources carefully as they seek to build their kingdom, complete quests, and attack the enemy’s capital.

The Warhammer Invasion Core Set (MSRP $39.95) includes 220 cards representing four factions, 4 Capital boards, 35 Resource Tokens, 60 Damage Tokens, 4 Burn Tokens, and a rulebook.

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Warhammer Fantasy RPG Pen & Paper Available In Digital Form

The Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay Core Rulebook is available now in digital form exclusively through DriveThruStuff.com.

In Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, you are unlikely heroes in a grim world of perilous adventure. You venture into the dark corners of the Empire and deal with the threats that others cannot or will not face.

You’ll probably die alone in some festering hellhole, but maybe, just maybe, you’ll survive foul Mutants, horrible diseases, insidious plots, and sanity-blasting rituals to reap Fate’s rewards.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay is a complete game. All you need to play is in this book, some dice, and a group of friends. Inside these covers you’ll find:

• A quick system for character creation. You can make a character in less than half an hour and jump right into the game.
• A simple yet robust set of rules that let you handle everything from social interaction to Chaos mutations.
• A unique career-based system of character advancement and over 100 careers – from Assassin and Bone Picker to Troll Slayer and Zealot.
• Complete rules for magic, cover both Arcane and Divine Orders and over 175 spells. Power can be had, but beware Tzeentch’s Curse!
• Details on the Empire and the Old World, from the social order to religion and belief.
• A complete introductory adventure, Through the Drakwald.
• A new short story by renowned Gaunt’s Ghosts author Dan Abnett.

BloodBowl Now Recruiting Beta Testers

Amidst news that the official BloodBowl website is now up and running, we’ve received word that the PC version of the upcoming Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC high-fantasy, ultra-violent football spoof is now accepting applicants for an online multiplayer beta test.

On launch, the beta will include only the Human and Orc teams, as well as the former’s home field. It’s a paltry content offering as compared to the final game’s eight promised teams and stadiums, but given that the beta is free of charge, and registration takes less than five minutes, fans ought not complain.

Aside from which teams and areas the beta will feature, the official site offers little further information on BloodBowl, and when it does offer a useful snippet, it’s needlessly cryptic. For instance, saying “the game will soon begin” is the closest the site gets to offering fans a solid date for the beta.

Image courtesy Games Workshop

Kick-off date for the Beta registration [BloodBowl Official Site, via Blue's News]

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Warhammer Online Now Offers Free 10-Day Trial

Have you been meaning to try Warhammer Online, but don’t necessarily want to pay for a month’s worth of play time? Luckily for you the game now offers a free 10-day trial for new players.

“A call to arms has been issued! With the new free trial we are making it possible for everyone to experience non-stop Realm vs. Realm combat wrapped up in a next generation MMO,” said Mythic Entertainment general manager Mark Jacobs.

“What started out as a great game has only gotten better as the team has added an incredible amount of content with our first live expansion. For gamers that have yet to experience the glory of WAR, there is no better time to join the battle!”

Prospective players of the 10-day free trial are also invited to join the game’s current “Bitter Rivals” event, which will allow players early access to the planned Orc Choppa and Dwarf Slayer character classes, should they decide to spring for a full, paid subscription after the trial ends.

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New Warhammer 40K RPG From Fantasy Flight Games Announced

Following up on the success of its Dark Heresy line, Fantasy Flight Games will release another role-playing game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

In Rogue Trader, players take on the roles of freelance merchants and explorers, seeking ever-greater profits in the vastness of space. Players can own their own spaceships, seek out treasures in far-flung, long-forgotten locales, and tangle with pirates, aliens and other mercenaries equally hungry for wealth and fame.

The game boasts a quick character-creation system, rules for several types of encounters and adversaries, and background information written by WH40K novelist Andy Hoare. The 400-page, hardcover full-color Rogue Trader Core Rulebook ships in August with an MSRP of $59.95.

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Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2 Goes Gold

Relic Entertainment’s sci-fi strategy game sequel Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2 has gone gold, publisher THQ announced today.

The game will be showing up in stores February 19, an unusual Thursday release. As recently as January 8 the game’s release date was confirmed as February 23.

Source: ShackNews.com

Warhammer: Battle March For The Xbox 360 In September

Namco/Bandai Games has some information on the latest ‘Warhammer’ title for the Xbox 360. Based on the Games Workshop’s franchise, this strategy title is slated for a September release. Read more