During the most recent phase of beta testing, two things have become clear.  One was that our key innovations - Public Quests, Tome of Knowledge and Realm vs. Realm combat - were all coming along extremely well, as was the first stage of our innovative crafting system.  The second, that the game would benefit from additional iteration time as well as adding a layer of polish or two. Fortunately, as part of Electronic Arts, we are able to do just that.

While I have no doubt that the community will experience a wide range of emotions over this decision, I urge you to remember one thing (and to keep the tar cold and the feathers on the birds), that our goal has never been to release a game by a certain date but to release a great Warhammer MMORPG.  We have not wavered from this goal and with the full support of Games Workshop, GOA and Electronic Arts we intend to release a glorious next-generation MMORPG.

OPEN BETA ACCESS
Be one of the first players to experience the glory of battle and the thrill of WAR when the Open Beta phase begins.

It’s been a busy month as we wrapped up both the Empire vs. Chaos and High Elf vs. Dark Elf focus tests!

In the High Elf vs. Dark Elf segment testers got to explore the early chapters in the lands of Ulthuan. Here’s just a small sample of what they experienced:

- High Elf and Dark Elf tiers one and two
- Three, never before played, High Elf careers
- Career masteries
- Renown rank advancements
- First look at the user interface changes
- First look at crafting

In both the High Elf vs. Dark Elf and Empire vs. Chaos tests players were able to experience Keeps for the first time coupled with Zone Control. Both are still in the initial testing stages but we now have a tremendous amount of feedback to create RvR combat that truly impacts the world in which you play!

Here’s a sample of what players had to say about the latest High Elf vs. Dark Elf Focus Test:

“As a long time MMO player these entry quests for this race are excellent. Very straight to the point indicators of needed mobs are great and locating was as easy as pie. Very very good…” - Level 2 Shadow Warrior

“Very impressed with the High Elf theme and feel, the archmage class is fun to play and there are much better changes to UI this time.” - Level 6 Archmage

“Small unannounced quests like these are really enjoyable to come accross. This quest had a explanation that fit very well with the High Elves lore. It’s one of the reasons I plan on exploring every inch of the world map while playing.” - Level 2 Archmage, “A Shocking Discovery”

“I'm finding that the Shadow Warrior is a VERY fun and interesting career. It's not the usual caster ranged DPS and I'm finding myself enjoying my time as a High Elf...which is saying something because I've always absolutely hated High Elves.” - Level 6 Shadow Warrior

“The animations have seen a HUGE improvement over last time. The UI Looks alot better. The HE classes appear to be well done from what I have seen so far.” - Level 5 Swordmaster

“Thanks again for this chance to help create a game I know i will love.” - Level 2 Witch Elf

Check out the latest News From the Front, featuring Empire vs. Chaos, and be sure to keep your eyes open for the High Elf vs. Dark Elf Edition, coming soon!

Each copy of WARHAMMER: CONDEMNED BY FIRE #1 contains a special scratch-off which reveals a code giving readers a 1-in-5 chance to get into the Warhammer Online North American beta test.* Not only will you discover some great new Warhammer fiction, but there is also a chance you could be fighting your very own battles online. Pre-order your copy of issue #1 today and
get ready for WAR!

Cover A

Cover B

The Witch Hunters come to the fore in this five issue mini-series from the same team that brought you WARHAMMER: FORGE OF WAR.

Tireless foes of Chaos in the Warhammer universe, Witch Hunters roam the Empire seeking to stop the spread of dark magic and witchery of all kinds. When Witch Hunter Magnus Gault hears that the nearby village of Loughville has fallen prey to the canker of Chaos, he is driven to investigate. Once there, he finds the buildings rancid and rotted and the villagers wretched and mutated - eager to prey upon any lost soul who should come their way.

Can one man stand against this monstrous regiment? Warhammer 40,000 novelist Dan Abnett, multiple Eisner Award-nominee Ian Edginton, and fan-favorite artist Rahsan Ekedal return to bring you another tale from the epic, fantasy realm that is Warhammer!

Issues #1 through #5 are available now for pre-order at the BOOM! Studios website: www.boom-studios.com. To find a comic shop near you visit: http://csls.diamondcomics.com/

If Chaos Built a City,What would it look like?
By: Greg Grimsby, Art Director

Read More About Building The Inevitable City >>

Episode 3: Battle for Praag and Maw of Madness
by Brian Wheeler, Lead RvR Design

Welcome folks to another episode of Scenarios 101! This week we’ll be focusing on more Chaos vs. Empire scenarios: Maw of Madness and Battle for Praag.

The Empire is not just under overt assault from the forces of Chaos, but is also fighting a constant war against the creeping incursions of darkness and heresy within its own borders, and no one is more aware of this than the Witch Hunter. Tasked with digging out the taint of corruption from within the healthy flesh of the Empire, the Witch Hunter is a grim figure, looked upon with equal measures of awe and dread, for they have the authority of an investigator, a judge, and an executioner. By blade, pistol, and torch, they are determined to cleanse the Empire of evil.

Mechanic
The Witch Hunters are deadly fighters who seek out and destroy anything tainted by the touch of Chaos. They lay down Accusations at swordpoint until they're satisfied of their enemy's guilt, and then unleash an Execution with the booming voice of their pistol. Their combat abilities are bolstered by a variety of sacred artifacts, such as blessed bullets which add additional effects to their Executions, and potent Holy Relics which can briefly imbue them with great power.

Masteries

Path of Confession
The Path of Confession is direct and uncompromising, and focused primarily on direct and immediate opposition to heresy. A specialist in Confession will eschew subtlety and lengthy investigations in favor of simply approaching their enemy and beating the truth out of them. While not necessarily the most powerful approach, it is effective in its straightforward brutality, and provides a small measure of increased protection when the Witch Hunter finds themselves under direct attack.

Path of Inquisition
The Path of Inquisition is focused on longer and detailed investigations, weakening and progressively working over an enemy until the victim’s guilt is all but assured. A player with heavy Inquisition Mastery may appear less powerful at first glance, but the devastating effects of their attacks are felt more and more as the fight progresses.

Path of Judgment
The Path of Judgment is taken by Witch Hunters who are assured that their targets are guilty and no questioning is needed. They tend to take their suspects by surprise, and are at their best when the enemy's attention is elsewhere. A Master of Judgment will seek to avoid face-to-face confrontations, and will be at their most powerful when they have allies nearby that can distract their enemies, allowing the Witch Hunter to lay down very potent attacks.

Marauder Career Masteries

The Marauder is Tzeentch's favored agent of destruction, and has been granted the simplest and purest gift that the Raven Lord can give: change. The Marauder changes his very blood, bone, and body to reshape himself into a perfect warrior, capable of wreaking havoc and mayhem upon any foes who dare to cross him. He is, by necessity, only lightly-armored, since any more solid protection would merely be rent asunder as his warped and corrupted flesh distorted within it, but he ensures victory by simply slaughtering his enemies before they can react.

Marauder Mechanic
There are three different mutations that the Marauder can reshape his body into, each of which serves a specific purpose and offers its own benefits. By changing his very body as needed, the Marauder is capable of dispatching most any enemy, but he must always be aware of the flow of battle and ready to mutate into a different form as necessary. A Marauder who chooses poorly will find his punishment to be swift and immediate, for he is helpless and vulnerable during the few moments that it takes his body to flow into a new form, and a perceptive enemy will leap at the chance to take advantage of this brief window of weakness.

Marauder Masteries

Path of Brutality
The Path of Brutality is focused around the Marauder's ability to warp his arm into a sharpened spike of bone. This blade-like appendage can deal horrifying injuries to an enemy, and a player specialized deeply in Brutality will likely be dealing the most damage possible against a single enemy, especially if the foe is distracted by others.

Path of Savagery
The Path of Savagery leads to a Marauder changing their arm into a monstrous claw, capable of tearing at enemies to cripple and hinder them while they quickly bleed to death. While perhaps not dealing as much immediately obvious damage as his other mutations, a master of Savagery kills his enemies in a more insidious way, weakening the target steadily so that they never realize just how much danger they're in until it's already too late.

Path of Monstrosity
The Path of Monstrosity focuses on the Marauder mutating their arm into a hideous club-like bludgeon of flesh and gore. The master of Monstrosity can use the massive bulk of their warped arm to defend themselves somewhat, and can sweep their limb around in broad, arcing swings, capable of damaging several enemies with each single smash.

Son of Ulthuan's greatest hero, Malekith possesses none of his father Aenarion's nobler traits. The Witch King of Naggaroth is spiteful, savage and filled with rage at the denial of his birthright, the Phoenix Throne of Ulthuan. He is also a deadly adversary, trained in the Dark Arts by his Sorceress mother Morathi. Along with his formidable magical talents, he is also a manipulative and cunning plotter who will resort to any measure to eliminate his rivals and crush the High Elves, whom he hates above all things.

It is the Witch King who is the architect of the Age of Reckoning, a great war that he instigates to weaken the High Elves in advance of a massive invasion of Ulthuan. Now at last, the Phoenix Throne may be within reach of the Lord of the Dark Elves. But while treachery and deceit are among Malekith's greatest weapons, they can also be used against him, and he is not the only Druchii who craves ultimate power.

GRUMLOK AND GAZBAG
Leader of the Greenskin Army

In this month’s teaser for the cinematic we unveil the Bright Wizard, complete with tattoos, the trademark hair and a look of fiery determination.

Stay tuned for more as we bring you another peek at the WAR cinematic next month. Enjoy!

Long ago, the tall spires of Caledor were ablaze. Fiery volcanoes dominated the skyline, spewing great plumes of ash-grey smoke high into the air. The skies of ancient Caledor were filled with mighty dragons, and it is these magnificent and terrifying beasts that made Caledor the powerful kingdom that it once was.

Read more about the Mountains of Caledor >>

Public Quest Boss Prologue: Sildaen of Hoeth

A few Menhir stones can be found throughout Ulthuan. Together these critical focal points anchor the great Vortex that prevents Chaos' spread throughout the world. Destruction players will be sent to conquer one such stone found in Chrace, the Stone Valetear. There they will meet resistance comprised of every High Elf regiment throughout the Blighted Isle and Chrace. In the end they will be confronted by one of the Archmages of the White Tower, Sildaen of Hoeth.

Read more about Sildaen of Hoeth >>

Click Image to Watch Video

This month we share with you NEW! closed beta footage courtesy of a home movie made by the Content Development team.

Updated High Elf and Dark Elf content, along with open world keeps and siege, are being tested on beta now. Don’t waste any time, sign up now to take part in one of the largest beta tests ever for an MMORPG. More than a half a million players have registered so far, but we are always looking for new recruits. Sharpen your sword, unleash your inner mutation, and prepare to meet your destiny on the battlefields of Warhammer Online.

There are a million stories in the Age of Reckoning just waiting to be told. What is your tale?

This month 's beta journal, titled "The Conscious Subjugator", gives us insight into a level of corruption that even a Witch Hunter is astonished by. Will he be able to drive evil from the land?

Read This Month's Beta Journal Entry >>

WAR is coming! Are you properly dressed?

JUST ADDED – WAR BELT BUCKLE

Hold your pants up with style and show the world you are ready for WAR!

Do you feel like you’ve been lacking accessories in your WARdrobe? Well not any more! Now available exclusively at the EA Mythic Store is the new WAR pewter belt buckle.* Supplies are extremely limited so order now!

Orc Shaman & Squiggly Beast
by J. Westcott

Troll
by Teli

EPIC WIN *Warrior Priest*
by C.S. Lambright

Goby Shamy
by M. Mumbrue

Bosh Dem Flyz
by L. Burnell

 Squigtreiba
by Fireal

Fanatic
by Danjlo Maccione

Chaoslord
by Pedro Ramos

Visit the Fan Art Gallery >>

Submit your artwork >>

Welcome to the WAR Grab Bag, where our friendly neighborhood community team answers the most pressing, the most popular, and the most interesting questions from fans. Keep those questions coming, as we’re eager to hear what you have to say!

Check out this month’s Grab Bag >>

In the future we will collect grab bag questions from a different fansite each month. If you have a question you would like to submit for next month's grab bag please submit your questions on Only-WAR dedicated forum page.

"Depending on the game, being a guild leader can be anywhere from reasonably decent to an exercise in frustration. Guild officers put in a lot of hours organizing and managing to keep their guilds alive. This is a real labor of love, but it can account for a lot of a guild officer’s time. Guilds are the core social mechanism for a MMO and are crucial to a strong vibrant community. Therefore, it stands to reason that guild leaders should have a good suite of tools to do their job and make their lives easier."

Developer Profile >>

"I hope to bring everything that is the spirit of the tabletop game to life. Because I think it's all about the same things, the community aspect, and getting together, and fighting against other people, and dressing up your character the way you want, and making fart jokes"

Developer Profile >>

March Winners:

C. Roswell/North America	G. Casado/Europe
J. Scheidler/North America	L. Cyphere/Europe
F. Marcil/North America	P. Siddons/Europe
C. Steineke/North America	T. Liesch/Europe
C. Meyers/North America	I. Areses/Europe
D. Vetter/North America	R. Hüwener/Europe
J. Matano/North America	O. Coulibaly/Europe
F. Kohler/North America	A. Weickel/Europe
D. Tapp/New Zealand	N. Browne/Australia
M. Soudy/New Zealand	L. Sasmita/Australia

Get your hands on the latest
build of WAR at one of
the following events:

New York Comic Con
April 18-20, 2008

Baltimore Games Day
June 14, 2008

Toronto Games Day
June 21, 2008

San Diego Comic Con
July 24-27, 2008

Chicago Games Day
July 26, 2008

LA Games Day
August 23, 2008

Penny Arcade Expo
August 29-31, 2008

Stay tuned for more information
about our upcoming 2008 show schedule!