The 2024 Kings of War Rules Committee (RC) updates drew a lot of discussion: some players welcomed the new tactical options, while others found the added keywords overwhelming. The 2025 updates take a more restrained approach, which suggests the RC responded to that feedback. I’ll leave command dice for a future post. This year’s changes focus more on refinement than expansion.
| Year | Total Keywords |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 145 |
| 2024 | 166 |
| 2025 | 165 |
Read my analysis of the 2024 edition here
Keywords: Addition by Reduction
One common criticism of the 2024 update was the number of new keywords added across factions. Chilling Presence and Entangling Roots added options, but the larger keyword count could be harder for newer players to track. The 2025 update is more restrained.
In 2024, Empire of Dust keywords increased from 29 to 33, then dropped to 32 in 2025. Abyssal Dwarfs reached 33 and returned to 31. The RC also focused on adjusting existing abilities rather than continuing to add keywords. These changes may make the rules easier to approach while preserving tactical options.
Total Number of Keywords Over the Years
The table below compares total keyword counts for each faction in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
| Faction | Keywords 2023 | Keywords 2024 | Keywords 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abyssal Dwarfs | 31 | 33 | 31 |
| Basileans | 30 | 30 | 31 |
| Dwarfs | 29 | 28 | 28 |
| Elves | 30 | 30 | 29 |
| Empire of Dust | 29 | 33 | 32 |
| Forces of Nature | 34 | 34 | 34 |
| Forces of the Abyss | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| Free Dwarfs | 24 | 25 | 25 |
| Goblins | 27 | 31 | 27 |
| Halflings | 24 | 25 | 25 |
| Kingdoms of Men | 25 | 26 | 25 |
| League of Rhordia | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Nightstalkers | 26 | 25 | 25 |
| Northern Alliance | 30 | 34 | 31 |
| Ogres | 27 | 28 | 26 |
| Orcs | 27 | 28 | 27 |
| Ratkin | 27 | 28 | 28 |
| Ratkin Slaves | 19 | 19 | 19 |
| Riftforged Orcs | 22 | 26 | 27 |
| Salamanders | 29 | 30 | 30 |
| Sylvan Kin | 29 | 30 | 30 |
| The Herd | 31 | 30 | 30 |
| The Order of the Brothermark | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| The Order of the Green Lady | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Trident Realm of Neritica | 31 | 34 | 30 |
| Twilight Kin | 0 | 25 | 25 |
| Undead | 29 | 29 | 29 |
| Varangur | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Most factions had fewer or the same number of keywords in 2025 as in 2024. That may make the rules easier to track, especially for players who get fewer chances to play against each faction.
A Streamlined Experience
The restrained approach taken in 2025 feels almost like a return to the basics—a focus on ensuring that each new rule or keyword has a purpose, adds strategic value, and enhances gameplay rather than complicates it. The overall number of keywords introduced in 2025 is far lower compared to 2024, and that’s not by accident. The RC seems committed to refining the gaming experience for all, especially for players who found the last update a bit overwhelming.
In summary, the 2025 update for Kings of War feels like the RC’s acknowledgment of a simple truth: more is not always better. By trimming excess and honing in on what’s effective, they’ve given us a version of the game that remains richly strategic without the burden of unnecessary complexity. This thoughtful approach to game development keeps the experience both engaging for veterans and welcoming for new players.
