FAQ and Errata 1.5.1 updates have arrived!
Author: @ScatterDieGuy
27/09/2025 09:53
It's been a few months since GW published the Old World FAQ and Errata version 1.5.1, which is has widely been branded as akin to a version 1.5 release for The Old World. Unlike previous erratas, which were fairly light touch, 1.5.1 brought with it some significant rule changes intended to address some of the early issues identified with the game, including some big changes to the way infantry units function in combat.
I know some users of the calculator have been avidly awaiting updates to incorporate the rules changes, and can only apologise for how long it has taken me to implement these. Old World Calculator is a passion project, which I fit in around a busy personal life alongside other hobby related activities (I do like to actually play the game when I can, and I'm now just half a unit away from getting a fully painted army on the table). The nature of the rules changes also required a complete re-write of a key section of the calculator's code base, which I was a bit daunted by and procrastinated over for far longer than I intended to.
The good news is that the wait is now over, with the 2.3.0 Beta release now fully updated to incorporate the 1.5.1 errata.
What specifically has changed?
- The rules now limit attacks to models which are within their Movement characteristic of the nearest enemy model. This goes some way to mitigate the most egregious examples of 'line-hammer' - where players formed extremely wide single rank units in order to maximise the number of attacks they could make. In practice, I think line-hammer turned out to be less of an issue than many initially feared, but this rule change helps to further close the loophole and discourage silly strategies.
- Regular and Heavy Infantry units have received a number of buffs, including:
- Press of Battle creates a second Fighting Rank, meaning infantry units can make far more attacks than before and, critically, have a much better chance of getting to swing back when charged by previously very dominant cavalry units.
- Massed Infantry gives infantry units an additional Combat Resolution bonus when they outnumber their opponents, giving them that little bit more staying power and opportunity to emerge victorious from combats.
- Infantry fighting with hand-weapon and shield now also get an improved Armour Save due to the Parry rule. This rule didn't require a specific update to the calculator, but should be accounted for by the user when inputting the Armour Save value for a unit - don't forget!
- The rules on Close Order have slightlying changed so a minimum Unit Strength of 10 is now required to claim the Combat Resolution bonus (increased from 5). This encourages larger blocks of infantry.
- The Poisoned Attacks special rule has been somewhat nerfed (though is still valuable). Attacks which hit on a roll of 6 previously wounded automatically, whereas now you still have to roll to wound, but get a +2 bonus to the roll.
- Impact Hits are now resolved before anything else in the combat - effectively at Initiative 11.
- There is also a small change to Stomp Attacks, which are effectively resolved at Initiative 0, though Stomp Attacks is one special rule not yet supported (it's coming soon, I promise), so this is not yet implemented.
Finally, the other big update in version 2.3.0 is that chariots are now supported. You'll also notice that there is a (currently disabled) 'Howdah' toggle for Behemoths - I was halfway through coding this function when the rules changes came out, and hope to finish this shortly now that errata changes are live. I'm also still working on implementing the small number of other universal special rules which are still missing, including Stomp Attacks, Random Attacks and Multiple Wounds, before moving onto the long list of army special rules.
So, lots more to come, but happy calculating for now!
