The Warhammer: The Old World Core Set is here, we break down the models, value, release date, and who this box is perfect for.
The Warriors of Chaos finally stomp into The Old World with fresh plastic, a 54-miniature starter box, and Grand Cathay is waiting across the table with a cannon, lancers, and enough jade-clad infantry to make things properly messy.
We’re going to break down what’s actually inside the Warhammer: The Old World Core Set, how the Warriors of Chaos and Grand Cathay halves stack up, what it costs, when it releases, and whether the value is real, especially with Battle March reinforcement coming soon, or if this is just another very shiny ambush trying to raid your hobby budget.
Warhammer: The Old World Core Set Contents Review
- The Warhammer: The Old World Core Set includes one Aspiring Champion on a Daemonic Mount, one Aspiring Champion with Battle Standard, 16 Chaos Warriors, four Chaos Knights, one Gate Keeper on a Cathayan Warhorse, one Gate Keeper with Battle Standard, 20 Jade Warriors, five Jade Lancers, and one Cathayan Grand Cannon with Ogre Loader and crew.
- Value looks legit: itemized MSRP comes out to about $491, putting savings at roughly $251 versus the box price.
- Tabletop take: GW points matched both sides of the box, so you can play balanced games right from the beginning.
Warhammer: Old World Core Set Release Date & Retail Price:
- The Old World Core Set Release Date: July 18th, 2026
- Retail Price (MSRP/RRP): $240 (USD). Regional pricing is listed below.
Old World Core Set Contents:
- 1x Aspiring Champion on a Daemonic Mount
- 1x Aspiring Champion with Battle Standard
- 16x Chaos Warriors
- 4x Chaos Knights
- 1x Gate Keeper on a Cathayan Warhorse
- 1x Gate Keeper with Battle Standard
- 20x Jade Warriors
- 5x Jade Lancers
- 1x Cathayan Grand Cannon with Ogre Loader and crew
- Rulebook
- Muster Lists book
Warhammer: The Old World Core Set Values & Pricing
The Warhammer: The Old World Core Set is packed with fresh Warriors of Chaos, Grand Cathay reinforcements, ranked-up infantry, heavy cavalry, characters, artillery, and enough plate armor to make both sides look ready to ruin someone’s weekend.
Between the Aspiring Champion on Daemonic Mount, Aspiring Champion with Battle Standard, 16 Chaos Warriors, four Chaos Knights, Gate Keeper on Cathayan Warhorse, Gate Keeper with Battle Standard, 20 Jade Warriors, five Jade Lancers, and Cathayan Grand Cannon with Ogre Loader and crew, this box feels like GW remembered starter sets work best when both armies can actually hit the table without immediately begging for backup.
Warhammer: The Old World Core Set List Price: $240 (USA), $290 (Canada), $347 (Australia), £156.50 (UK), €190 (EU)
| Models | Unit Name | Value |
| 1 | Aspiring Champion on a Daemonic Mount | $26.50 ($53 for both characters, based on Cathay) |
| 1 | Aspiring Champion with Battle Standard | $26.50 ($53 for both characters, based on Cathay) |
| 16 | Chaos Warriors | $90 (based on Cathay) |
| 4 | Chaos Knights | $45 ($90 for 8, based on Cathay) |
| 1 | Gate Keeper on a Cathayan Warhorse | $26.50 ($53 for both characters) |
| 1 | Gate Keeper with Battle Standard | $26.50 ($53 for both characters) |
| 20 | Jade Warriors | $90 |
| 5 | Jade Lancers | $45 ($90 for 10) |
| 5 | Cathayan Grand Cannon with Ogre Loader and crew | $45 ($90 for 2) |
| N/A | Rulebook | $70 |
| N/A | Muster book, dice, accessories | Added Value |
| Core Set Box | ||
| Total MSRP: | $491 | |
| Savings Versus Box Price: | $251 | |
Is This Core Set Worth It?
Honestly, yes, especially if you’re starting Warriors of Chaos, splitting the box with a Grand Cathay player, or just want the cleanest entry point into the game. The two armies are points-matched against each other, which means you’re not buying a starter set where one side immediately needs reinforcements just to keep up.
Add in the new compiled rulebook, accessories, and the fact that this is the first place to grab the new Warriors of Chaos miniatures, and the value looks a lot better than the usual “starter box now, real army later” routine.
What to Buy Next?
For Grand Cathay, the easiest next buy is the Battle March reinforcement box or the Defenders of the Great Bastion, since they build on the core set without making you reinvent the army from scratch. More Jade Warriors, cavalry, or another artillery piece will help push the force toward a proper 2,000-point army, especially if you want that classic Cathay wall of armor, discipline, and “please stand still while our cannons solve this” energy.
For Warriors of Chaos, the Battle March box also looks like the obvious follow-up, adding more bodies and giving the army a much healthier battlefield footprint. The new Warriors of Chaos minis coming alongside the release are also a strong grab, especially if you want to lean harder into the updated Chaos Warriors, Knights, Champions, or that new Chaos Dragon centerpiece model instead of mixing too many older kits into the army.
Final Thoughts From Us on the Warhammer: The Old World Core Set
If this is the new pace for Warhammer: The Old World, things are about to get a lot more interesting. Fresh plastics, playable launch forces, and actual army-building paths give this core set more staying power than a one-and-done starter box.
Now the big question is whether Games Workshop keeps feeding both Warriors of Chaos and Grand Cathay with releases that make the system feel alive, because if they do, The Old World might be heading into its strongest run yet.
Where To Buy Your Warhammer: The Old World Core Set
Want a discount and fewer out-of-stock headaches? Hit our Warhammer retailer guide and grab the best option for your region. Links are below.
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