How to Play Wood Elves in WHFB 6th Edition: The Consolidated 2026 Resource

In the 'Golden Era' of 2000–2007, the Wood Elves represented the pinnacle of tactical fighting. While other editions turned them into static gunlines, 6th Edition Wood Elves are a masterclass in bait-and-switch warfare. This page consolidates every rule fragment for the Asrai released during the 6th edition.

To play them in 2026 you need three things:

1. The rules (physical if you are lucky, a good PDF version if you are not)
2. Miniatures to represent the warriors (as close as possible).
3. 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 Wood Elves Rules in 6th Edition

The Wood Elves were the last faction to get their armybook.

• The Ravening Hordes Era (2000–2002): Released at the launch of 6th Edition to provide immediate balance. This list is famous for the "Wood Elf Chariot" (which allowed two models to be taken as a single Rare choice).

• The Trial Army List (2002–2005): A transitional document released in White Dwarf and Warhammer Chronicles to replace the Ravening Hordes list until the final development of the faction's core mechanics.

• The Definitive Army Book (2005): The final "Source of Truth" for the 6th Edition era. This book remains the official standard for the Norn Consensus and is required for accurate 6th Edition play.

• Old website of Games-Workshop (UK): contains the rules of experimental special characters: Skaw and Ariel.

1. Technical Documentation: Sourcing Wood Elves 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 the Wood Elves it already includes:

• The Basic Rulebook (BRB): All core movement and combat logic.

• The Wood Elves Army Book (2005): The primary 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.

It does NOT contain:

• 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 Ariel or Skaw).

• Experimental lists.

• 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 Wood Elves

Wood Elves are arguably the easiest faction to build in 2026. Almost the entire range is available through The Old World (TOW) or Age of Sigmar (AoS).

6th Ed Unit	Modern Equivalent (TOW/AoS)	Basing Requirement
Glade Guard	Glade Guard (TOW)	25mm Square
Dryads	Dryads (AoS Sylvaneth)	25mm Square
Waywatchers	Waywatchers (TOW)	25mm Square
Treeman	Treelord (AoS Sylvaneth)	50mm Square
Wardancers	Wardancers (TOW)	25mm Square
Wild Riders	Wild Riders (AoS/TOW)	25x50mm Cavalry

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.

The data files contain all the official and experimental rules ever published in supplements, the old GW website or magazines (White-Dwarf, Troll, Citadel Journal...), as well as the FAQ, Direwolf interpretations and the Norn Consensus resolutions for edge cases.

The data includes rules for:

• Orion, King in the Woods (WE-AB)

• Drycha (WE-AB)

• Twilight Sisters (WE-AB)

• Durthu, the Treeman (WD#310-UK)

• Ariel, Queen of Athel Loren (WebGW)

• Skaw the Falconer (WebGW)

This is how you configure the tool to organize your Asrai host without flipping through five different PDFs.

1. Copy this exact URL: lexicanum-imperialis/Warhammer-Fantasy-Battles-6th-Definitive-edition
2. Open New Recruit. 
3. Go to your Click here to try it now! settings. 
4. Click in Add more games. At the bottom, search for Add from GitHub 
5. Add the version Latests Commit (Head) if you want the hotests updates.
   Add the version Latests Release if you want the last stable version.
6. 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!

Bibliography

• "Ravening Hordes", (2000)
• "Wood Elves - Trial Army List", in WD#269 UK, (by Alessio Cavatore, May. 2002)
• "Warhammer Armies: Wood Elves (6th Edition)" (by Anthony Reynolds and Matthew Ward, May. 2005)