In the 'Golden Era' of 2000–2007, Bretonnia reached its definitive form. It introduced the Lance Formation and the Blessing of the Lady—mechanics that redefined rank-and-flank cavalry warfare. This page consolidates every rule fragment for the Knights of Bretonnia released during the 6th Edition lifecycle into a single, functional standard.
To play them in 2026 you need three things:
The rules: Core rules + faction-specific rules (physical if you are lucky, a good PDF version if you are not).
The Miniatures to represent the warriors (as close as possible).
An army list to organize your forces.
And dice and measuring tape, and a table, and a 1-3h. And an opponent!
Note: The "Rules Engine" and "Digital Repository" are fully operational. The "Miniatures Equivalency" section below is an Active Restoration. We are currently mapping the 2026 'The Old World' and 'Age of Sigmar' catalogs to the classic 6th Edition profiles. If you have verified proxies or high-fidelity conversions, please contribute your findings to the archive below.
The Mechanical Evolution of Bretonnia Rules in 6th Edition
Bretonnia spent the early years of 6th Edition relying on a "Trial List" before receiving what many consider the most thematic (and beautiful!) Army Book of the era.
The Ravening Hordes Era (2000): Released at the launch of 6th Edition to provide immediate balance. This list was replaced by a trial list in mid 2001.
Trial Army List (2001): Written by Alessio Cavatore, published in WD#261. It established the core "Knightly Vows" that defined the faction's hierarchy.
Warhammer Armies: Bretonnia (6th Edition) (2004): Written by Anthony Reynolds, this is the primary Army Book and the "Source of Truth" for the Norn Consensus. This book remained the official standard for the faction until the end of the original Warhammer Fantasy timeline (6th-8th).
The Errantry War (SoC, 2004): Alternative army list published for the Storm of Chaos setting, but widely accepted in tournaments after the campaign.
Old website of Games-Workshop (UK): contains the rules of experimental special characters! (see below the full list)
1. Technical Documentation: Sourcing Chivalric Rules
You will need the general rules and the faction-specific rules. While physical copies are the preferred historical standard, digital consolidation is the practical standard for local campaigns and competitive events
Unless you can grab a physical copy of the Core Rulebook (BRB), you will probably use either a PDF or the Digital Rulebook (6th.whfb.app)
Nothing beats the feeling of an old physical book, but being practical... the Rulebook must be consulted constantly, and a digital search is faster (and does not damage your physical relics!).
This website is just awesome, and for Bretonnia it already includes:
The Basic Rulebook (BRB): All core movement and combat logic.
Bretonnia Army Book + Errata: The primary updated faction roster.
Official Errata & FAQs: Pre-applied logic for rule clarifications.
Base Size Index: Essential for converting modern models back to the 6th Edition standard.
Alternative army lists: Errantry War
The standard digital tools do NOT contain these rules:
Special units from scenarios and campaigns.
Annual and Chronicles experimental units and characters.
White-Dwarf experimental units and characters.
GW's website units and characters (like Tristan and Jules).
Ravening Hordes' lists.
For the official rules, the website is the most usefull tool you will need, specially DURING the games.
Beware they may have some typos due to the OCR scans of the original documents. Still awesome.
2. The miniatures: how to build an army of Bretonnia
Bretonnia is currently at its most accessible point since 2004 thanks to The Old World (TOW) relaunch.
6th Ed Unit | Modern Equivalent (TOW/AoS) | Basing Standard |
Knights of the Realm | Knights of the Realm (TOW) | 25x50mm Cavalry |
Pegasus Knights | Pegasus Knights (TOW) | 40mm/50mm Square |
Men-at-Arms | Men-at-Arms (TOW) | 20mm Square |
Peasant Bowmen | Peasant Bowmen (TOW) | 20mm Square |
Grail Knights | Grail Knights (TOW) | 25x50mm Cavalry |
Trebuchet | Field Trebuchet (TOW) | 50x75mm / Scenic |
[This section is being updated for complete equivalency]
3. The modern Army Builder: The New Recruit Engine
Karak Norn Wargaming uses, supports and recommends the use of NewRecruit for several reasons:
It's cloud-based, so you don't need to install it (just configure it),
it can run in the browser!You can sync army lists bewteen devices (requires a free account)
Mobile-friendly (but in tablet/PC the experience is better)
The most important thing: IT IS THE MOST COMPLETE ARMY LIST BUILDER FOR 6TH.
Contents of the Army Builder:
The data files contain all the official and experimental rules ever published in supplements, the old GW website (with alternative versions of the special characters)or magazines (White-Dwarf, Troll, Citadel Journal...), as well as the FAQ, Direwolf interpretations and the Norn Consensus resolutions for edge cases.
Alternative army lists:
The Errantry War (SoC)
Special Characters:
The Green Knight (BR-AB)
The Fay Enchantress (BR-AB)
Louen Leoncoeur, King of Bretonnia (BR-AB)
Tristan and Jules (WD#303-UK)
Sir Amalric of Gaudaron (WD#310-UK)
Bagrian* (CR-03) (to be added)
Tancred, Duke of Quenelles* (CR-03) (to be added)
Set up the Army Builder
This is how you configure the tool to organize your Bretonnian host without flipping through five different PDFs.
Copy this exact URL: lexicanum-imperialis/Warhammer-Fantasy-Battles-6th-Definitive-edition
Open New Recruit.
Go to your Click here to try it now! settings.
Click in Add more games. At the bottom, search for Add from GitHub
Add the version Latest Commit (Head) if you want the hotests updates.
Add the version Latest Release if you want the last stable version.
Now select the WHFB 6th Gamesystem and create your lists!
If you are brave enough you can always make your lists by hand or build your own spreadsheet. Just be aware of the last Errata and FAQs of both BRB and Armybooks!Click to the complete guide to all the rules of the 6th edition.
Bibliography
"Ravening Hordes", (2000)
"Warhammer Armies: Bretonnia (6th Edition)" (by Andy Hoare, 2003)
"Warhammer: Storm of Chaos" (by Gav Thorpe, 2004)
