How To: Warlord Launch Event
For some the release of Into the Accordlands has been a long journey, while for others they’re first hearing of Warlord in the coming days and weeks and months. No matter where you or your local players fall on this spectrum, a Warlord launch event should be a fun, relaxed, ease into the game. Something approachable that someone who learned to play Warlord just five minutes beforehand can navigate with a little guidance.
With this in mind, I have some thoughts, suggestions, and examples for how to host a successful launch event. My goal is to share ideas not just as a representative of the company, but also from my perspective as a local player looking to welcome others into the game I know they will love.
Start With Demos
In the modern TCG world of hyper collectability and IP smash ups, playing a game for the joy of the gameplay has become a bit of a novelty, but Warlord is a game that’s meant to be played. Ahead of a launch event, run some demos. For almost everyone, the gameplay is the best part of the Warlord experience. That’s the selling point as you try to create local interest — if you can get someone to sit down and roll for initiative, the game that unfolds will convince them more than anything.
Your best options for demoing are:
The Starter Decks have the advantage or being full size, balanced against each other, and a blast to play. If you don’t have access to the starters, the print & battle decks work just fine to showcase the basics of the game. If you’re shaky on the basics or want to offer a player aid, try keeping a demo card in front of you or refreshing yourself on the quickstart rules video. Links below.
Choose a Launch Event Format
Assume that your players don’t have any cards. Warlord had a previous publication, a crowd funding campaign, and preorders have filled up quickly. But don’t leave interested players stranded by jumping straight to a format that requires a collection or being overly familiar with the game.
With inclusivity in mind, I recommend:
Starter Decks
You have options here including randomly assigned, player chosen, entry fee covers the cost of the deck, bring your own (entry buys packs instead). No matter how you structure it, Starter Decks are a great way to welcome a broad category of players into the game. Experienced players will have the edge, but a newcomer with a warm d20 can absolutely win some games and walks away with a deck to improve upon. In fact, each Into the Accordlands starter deck comes with a booster back inside for players to add or swap new cards into their decks. If you want to add some more deckbuilding elements, you could add another booster or two to the pool available to each player.
Six Pack Sealed
This is a little more adventurous. Sealed is best for groups who enjoy limited formats and/or have some helpful players already familiar with Warlord. But if you can check these boxes, Sealed might be a good option for your group.
For Sealed, follow three basic steps:
1) Provide six sealed Into the Accordlands booster packs to each player.
2) Make the ‘basic cards’ from the top of the booster box available to all players. These ensure that every player has access to a Warlord and starting army if they need or want to use the basic ones.
3) Players must build a 30+ card deck from their pool and follow Warlord’s 50% deckbuilding rule. That is, no deck may consist of more than half of any one card type. In this case, if building a 30 card deck, the deck may not contain more than 15 any card type (Action, Item, Character). The ‘basic cards’ mentioned above also include simple cards of every type to help fill out an incomplete deck.
Other possible formats include a booster draft or Into the Accordlands pre-constructed Saga format, however the complexity might overwhelm a brand new player in the case of booster draft, and Saga constructed might discourage players who don’t yet have cards.
Structure for Fun
While virtually everybody that has tried it agrees that Warlord is incredibly fun, a six hour maiden event for any activity might not be the best approach. Your organizer knows what does and does not work for local events, but I recommend keeping the duration light if they’re unsure. An example length and prizing structure could be:
Registration/Start Time: Schedule and Location Dependent
Deckbuilding Time:15 Minutes (for Starter Decks, or 45 minutes for Sealed Packs)
Rounds & Duration: Three Rounds - 50 Minutes Each
Prizing: One Into the Accordlands booster pack per win
Special: Every store, gaming group, and community has something special to offer. I’ll cover what we’re doing locally below, but consider participation prizes, door prizes, a way to reward sportsmanship, a prize for whoever rolls the most ‘1’s, something to make the time spent playing Warlord together memorable. While we await the release of organized play kits, imagination and enthusiasm are powerful tools for making your launch event an unforgettable experience.
These are not one-size-fits-all suggestions, but they can serve as an example if you’re unsure about how to run your event. Warlord is registered on and suggests Melee for event software, and has extensive Tournament & Event Rules if you have any questions. Links below.
Set Up For Continued Play
Your launch event marks the beginning for Warlord in your area. It’s the chance to gather that very first group, who will form an accord through d20 rolls and fantasy combat, and journey forward into the Accordlands together. A player might meet their life-long favorite Warlord this day. It’s also your chance to make a first impression to a new audience. Focus on the fun, keep it simple, and look toward a weekly gathering to expand on the experience.
If you’re a local store, fill out the Organized Play Survey to make sure players can find you on the store locator map, and to receive special retailer communications, including those about OP kits.
My Local Launch Event (For Reference)
Date: Saturday 3/21/2026
Time: 1PM Start
Format: Starter Deck
Duration: Three Rounds
Prizes: Winner of each round chooses: Pull from the Kickstarter exclusive Box of Greed, or Into the Accordlands booster pack
Door Prizes: Additional singles
Food: Provided
Challenges: I’ll be there with a Dragon Lord deck using my kids’ Into the Accordlands cards from their Warlord level Kickstarter pledge. I’ll take on teams of two starter decks against one flock (herd? company?) of dragons. I have some old cards from my personal collection to hand out for beating me.
Big Prize: I’ll also be giving away an original painting from the game. Jim Pavelec’s Blast in this case. As much as I love collecting artwork, it’s even more fun to watch other people get some joy from owning an illustration from the game.
My local event might seem fancy, not everyone has original paintings they are happy to hand out or singles they’re willing to part with. But I’m sure each group has something unique to offer, even if it’s just hospitality and an invitation for locals to try the game.
On behalf of Kingswood Games, I want to take a brief moment to thank you all for your interest and support of Warlord, the game Josh and I would have gladly burned a genie’s wish to bring back to publish. Instead of a wish, the magic that brings us to this release period is nothing less than the thousands of players and hundreds of stores, the people across the globe who voted with their time, energy, and money to see this dream come true. We are humbled by your enthusiasm, and look forward to your company on the battlefield!
A Note on Release Date
Officially, we’re saying the ‘street release’ date is the week of March 16th - 22nd. But that’s just because we need to offer the company’s blessing to all those poor folks in AU and UK that have had cards for over a month now. We recognize that Canada and Europe won’t be ready in time, and that the majority of the US is still getting their bearings. Not to mention that every LGS is inundated with card game events right now.
Realistically, take your time. Demo the game. Build some interest. Set a local launch event date when your area is ready. Get a consistent gathering up and running. Make sure players are gearing up some constructed decks. They’re going to need them.
