In 2024, the Kings of War Rules Committee (RC) made significant updates that sparked a lot of discussion among players—some loved the expanded tactical options, while others found the barrage of new keywords overwhelming. The release of the 2025 updates, however, brings a welcome balance, demonstrating that the RC has listened to the community’s feedback. (For now, I’ll set aside the issue of command dice and address in a future post). This year, we see a noticeable shift towards refining rather than expanding for complexity’s sake, and that’s worth celebrating.
| Year | Total Keywords |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 145 |
| 2024 | 166 |
| 2025 | 165 |
Read my analysis of the 2024 edition here
Keywords: Addition by Reduction
One of the most frequent criticisms of the 2024 update was the sheer number of new keywords that each faction had to navigate. Keywords like “Chilling Presence” and “Entangling Roots” were interesting additions, but their proliferation risked making the game inaccessible for new players or those not as steeped in the competitive scene. The 2025 update, in contrast, shows a more restrained hand.
A quick look at the numbers tells the story. In 2024, factions like the Empire of Dust and Abyssal Dwarfs saw spikes in keyword count—Empire of Dust, for example, increased from 29 to 33 keywords. For 2025, that number has dropped slightly to 32. Abyssal Dwarfs, who saw their list swell to 33, are now back down to 31. Instead of continually piling on, the RC opted to streamline. This year’s changes focus more on tweaking and enhancing existing abilities, which makes the game more approachable without sacrificing depth.
Total Number of Keywords Over the Years
The table below provides a summary of the total number of keywords for each faction across 2023, 2024, and 2025. This visualization highlights the restrained approach of the 2025 update compared to the expansion in 2024:
| 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 |
This table underscores the trend of measured adjustments rather than unchecked growth, illustrating how the RC sought to ensure the game remained fun and accessible. Most factions so either a decrease or no increase in 2025 from 2024, which helps people who may not get as many reps against each of those factions.
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.
