Battletomes

Battletomes are army sourcebooks used in the Warhammer Age of Sigmar tabletop game. Each battletome centers on a single faction or alliance and combines narrative background with rules for playing that faction. The core content typically includes lore about the faction, a collection of warscrolls for its units (with unit profiles, allegiance options, artifacts, command traits, and battalions), and guidance on building an army and choosing a playstyle. Many battletomes also outline subfactions or allegiance options, specific constraints or benefits, and suggested campaign or narrative play.

Publication and purpose: Battletomes are produced by Games Workshop and serve as the primary reference for playing a faction in regular games and tournaments. They provide a curated ruleset, unit options, and sometimes scenario or battlefield guidance. Updates to faction rules may come via errata and FAQs or through new battletomes, balancing changes, or the introduction of new models.

Structure: The typical volume opens with lore and setting, followed by sections describing the faction’s units, artefacts, prayers and spells, and battle formations; it also includes artwork and background to fit within the broader Age of Sigmar universe.

Notable examples include battletomes for Stormcast Eternals, Idoneth Deepkin, Flesh-eater Courts, Fyreslayers, Kharadron Overlords, and various Chaos and Destruction factions. Battletomes differ from general rulebooks in that they focus specifically on one faction, offering both narrative depth and codified gameplay options for that faction.