One of the most prominent publishers in the strategy game genre is undoubtedly Slitherine, and lately, they’ve been very active in showcasing new projects. Among these is the digital adaptation of one of the most famous tabletop RPGs, RuneQuest. In RuneQuest: Warlords, developed by Virtuos, you play the role of a warlord, where mastery of runes and tactical prowess is essential to defending your tribe against the forces of Chaos.
RuneQuest: Warlords presents battles on grid-based maps, emphasizing tactical depth through terrain, unit positioning, and resource management. Units control adjacent tiles, compelling strategic maneuvers and combat engagement. Action Points (AP) fuel unit activities, with heroes granted additional AP for advanced tactics like flanking and spellcasting. Layers of strategy emerge with features like Sentry Mode, Opportunity Attacks, and counter-attacks, rewarding careful planning.
The game’s diverse factions—Talastar, Chaos, and the Lunar Empire—offer unique units, ranging from spellcasters to agile combatants. Each faction’s units have their own strengths, special abilities, and health points, ensuring varied gameplay. The Chaos faction, for instance, features monstrous Broo Shamans, while Talastar champions field hybrid warriors adept at melee and ranged combat.
Magic is integral, revolving around Glorantha’s pantheon and its powerful Runes. Heroes can unlock new abilities tied to their affinity with specific Runes, blending instant effects with sustained spells. Cult Rune Magic, exclusive to Hero units, enhances combat capabilities and adds another layer of strategic complexity.
Beyond the single-player campaign, RuneQuest: Warlords includes skirmish and multiplayer modes. Competitive battles on diverse maps offer opportunities for tactical experimentation. Each faction’s distinct playstyle ensures dynamic matchups, appealing to players who thrive on strategic depth.
While its PC release date remains “coming soon,” anticipation is high, given the game’s engaging mechanics and faithfulness to RuneQuest lore, below an overview via Steam, screens, and the announcement trailer.
About This Game
RuneQuest: Warlords is a battle-scale turn-based strategy game set in the Runequest universe.
Immerse yourself in the rich lore of the world of Glorantha. Become a warlord, master the use of runes and defend your tribe against the incursions of Chaos. Vanquish your enemies using a mix of magic-enhanced strategies and rune-based abilities. Field a diverse army drawing from heroes and creatures alike.
The world of Glorantha
Players are drawn into the rich world of Glorantha, a mystical cube of earth surrounded by the Sramake’s River, where ancient floods still cover much of the land. Set between the lands of Talastar and Dorastor, to the west of Dragon Pass on the Genertela continent, the game’s storyline unfolds during the crucial year of 7/37 (1608) in the Glorantha timeline, encompassing the desperate struggle of the Talastar Tribes, fighting for their very survival against the hordes of Chaos
Single player campaign
The campaign tells the story of Hahlgrim, a tribal champion from Talastar’s Bilings, as he gathers allies – including elves, and even temporary Lunar allies – to push back the invading Chaos hordes from Dorastor. The journey progresses across 18 missions, narrating a story filled with deeds of valor, heroism, cruelty and betrayal.
As the story progresses, players will encounter iconic characters from the Runequest world like Ketill White Eye, Hakon the Swimmer, Wovandor and Ralzakark.
Battle Map and Tactical Actions
In RuneQuest: Warlords, battles unfold on a grid-based map where terrain and positioning provide real tactical depth.
Each unit holds a ‘Zone of Control’ over nearby tiles, forcing enemies to engage or maneuver around. Action Points (AP) can be used for moves, attacks, or special abilities, with Heroes gaining two AP for advanced tactics like flanking and spellcasting. Spirit, Rune, and Sorcery magic bring powerful abilities, while Sentry Mode allows units to guard areas automatically. Tactical reactions like Opportunity Attacks and counter-attacks make positioning critical, adding layers of strategy to every move.
Diverse Units
Each of the three factions – Talastar, Chaos and Lunar Empire – offers diverse units, each consisting of multiple models ranging from 1 to 7 per unit. These units span a great variety of types from specialized heroes like Chieftain, Howler and Centurion who possess unique abilities and distinctive appearances, to powerful spellcasters such as the Stormwalkers and Broo Shamans. Each faction also boasts heavy support and fast attack units including hybrid warriors equipped for both melee and ranged combat, monsters and artillery, cavalry, and versatile troops like Shadow Cats and Broo Marauders. Every model in a unit has its own health points, adding layers of depth to the tactical gameplay.
Runes and Magic
Magic plays a central role in the game through the ancient and powerful Runes, connected to the Glorantha pantheon of gods. As players progress, heroes strengthen their affinity with specific Runes, unlocking new magical abilities based on their connection to the Gods.
These magic abilities can be instant or sustained, requiring careful management of unit resources. Cult Rune Magic, exclusive to commanding Hero units, grants powerful abilities that provide both short-term advantages and sustained tactical support. Mastering Cult Rune Magic is key to harnessing the full power of Glorantha’s pantheon.Skirmish and Multiplayer
Players can engage in intense tactical battles across a variety of maps, each designed with unique strategic challenges. In the Competitive Arena, they test their skills in replayable scenarios. With three distinct factions to choose from – Talastar, Chaos, and the Lunar Empire – each with its own strengths and playstyle, the game offers diverse matchups and strategies. This multiplayer structure encourages the refinement of tactics and fosters dynamic, strategy-driven battles, fully embracing the strategic essence of RuneQuest: Warlords.
