New Player Guide
(WIP)
If you're a new player in Return of Reckoning, there's likely a lot to take in all at once! This guide will walk you step-by-step through many of the basics of getting started in the world of Warhammer.
Installing the Game
Start with the New Player Hub for a simple route from installation to your first activities. Create an account on the Return of Reckoning website, then follow the official installation guide for your operating system.
On Windows, download and extract the installer, run RoRInstaller.exe, then start RORLauncher.exe and sign in with your website account. The official guide also provides Linux and Mac instructions. If installation or launching fails, use the Technical Support Center and the troubleshooting steps in Game Installation.
Selecting a Realm and Class
Return of Reckoning is a team-based game, meaning all classes are built to work together with others of the same Realm. It's important to remember that grouping up with others, be it small-scale or large-scale, is a key part of the meta game.
Realm populations can vary. Start with whichever faction you think looks most appealing.
There are three primary class Archetypes in Return of Reckoning, which are:
- DPS: Short for "Damage-per-second", these are the damage dealers. These are broken into Melee (mDPS) or Ranged (rDPS) damage dealers, with many variations and unique mechanics per class. If you want to kill things or deal the finishing blow, pick a DPS class.
- Tank: The frontlines of most engagements and protectors of their teammates. Tanks in Return of Reckoning gain the ability to intercept half the damage meant for another player onto themselves. If you want to be in melee range in most brawls while also supporting your team, try playing a Tank.
- Healer: Healers not only save their teammates from death but can even resurrect fallen allies in combat. They're crucial for success, and their off-spec allows players to try a more DPS-focused twist on this archetype.
Once you know the Archetype you'd like to try, it's time to pick a class, each of which has different playstyles and quirks.
Your first Character
| Archetype | Order race | Order career | Destruction race | Destruction career |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tank | Human | Knight of the Blazing Sun | Chaos | Chosen |
| Healer | Human | Warrior Priest | Chaos | Zealot |
| mDPS | Human | Witch Hunter | Chaos | Marauder |
| rDPS | Human | Bright Wizard | Chaos | Magus |
| Tank | Dwarf | Ironbreaker | Greenskin | Black Orc |
| Healer | Dwarf | Runepriest | Greenskin | Shaman |
| mDPS | Dwarf | Slayer | Greenskin | Choppa |
| rDPS | Dwarf | Engineer | Greenskin | Squig Herder |
| Tank | High Elf | Swordmaster | Dark Elf | Black Guard |
| Healer | High Elf | Archmage | Dark Elf | Disciple of Khaine |
| mDPS | High Elf | White Lion | Dark Elf | Witch Elf |
| rDPS | High Elf | Shadow Warrior | Dark Elf | Sorcerer |
Career Ranks (CR)
Career Rank (CR) tracks your character's experience progression. The gold Experience bar shows progress toward your next rank. CR is separate from Renown Rank, which comes from PvP.
What career ranks give you
As your Career Rank rises, you gain access to abilities, tactics, and morales, along with stat increases and better gear. See Progression for details about rank rewards and Mastery Points.
Different ways to level CR
You earn experience through activities such as completing Quests, defeating enemies, finding Tome unlocks, and participating in Open RvR. See Progression for more detail.
For an optional community speed-leveling video, see Speed Leveling. If this is your first character, you may prefer to take your time and learn the game as you go.
Renown Ranks (RR)
Renown Rank tracks your progress in player-versus-player combat. It is separate from Career Rank, which advances through experience.
What renown gives you
Renown unlocks points you can spend in Renown Mastery to shape your character's strengths. Gear options also change as you gain ranks. See Progression for details and Equipment for gear information.
Different ways to level RR
You earn Renown by taking part in PvP in Scenarios and Open RvR. The Progression page lists examples such as defeating enemy players, healing allies, capturing objectives and zones, and carrying supplies. Renown is earned through participation, so choose the activity you enjoy and join your realm's group.
Influence
Influence is a separate progress bar tied to an area or activity, not your character's rank. For example, Public Quests in a chapter build that chapter's Influence and lead to rewards. See Progression for the different Influence bars and how to claim their rewards.
Realm versus Realm (RvR)
Open RvR is player-versus-player combat in the campaign zones. Realms contest battlefield objectives, supplies, and keeps. The active zones can change, so check your map before heading out. To find a group, open the Open Parties window and look for an RvR party or warband. See the Open RvR Guide for campaign details.
Battle Objectives (BOs)
Battlefield Objectives are points that players fight to control for their realm. Capturing and holding them supports the campaign and can affect nearby supply routes. The requirements vary by campaign tier and keep rank, so use the Open RvR Guide for the current details.
Supplies
Supplies appear around battlefield objectives. Carry them to a friendly keep or warcamp and turn them in at the resource flag. The Open RvR Guide explains supply routes and how they affect the campaign.
Keep Sieges
Keeps can be attacked and defended by groups. Siege rules and objectives vary by tier. If you join a group, follow its leader's directions and see the Open RvR Guide for details about keeps and siege weapons.
Fortress Sieges
Fortress fights are part of the RvR campaign. Check the active campaign and ask your group where help is needed. See Fortresses for more information.
City Sieges
City Sieges happen on a timer. While it runs, both realms fight to capture Fortresses. The realm that captures the most Fortresses gets to attack the other realm’s capital at the next scheduled City Siege. See City Sieges for details about the siege itself.
Scenarios (SCs)
Scenarios are instanced PvP matches with objectives that vary by map. You can join on your own or with a group. See the Scenario Guide for match rules, rewards, and current queue details.
How to queue
Click the Scenario button by your minimap to open the queue. Choose a specific Scenario or queue for all available ones. The button glows when you are successfully queued. Once a match begins, check its objective and help your team earn points. Capturing control points, carrying flags or other objects, and defeating opponents are examples of Scenario objectives.
Premade vs Solo
You can queue alone or with a premade group. If you want to coordinate with other players first, use the in-game LFG channel, which is usually channel 5. The Scenario Guide explains how the matchmaker handles queued players and groups. Teams can still have different compositions, so work with the players you get and focus on the objective.
Ranked SCs
Ranked Scenarios were disabled when the new Scenario Matchmaker launched on 12 February 2026. The old Ranked mode is not coming back. If Ranked returns, it will be in a different form. For now, use the regular Scenario queue described above. See the February 2026 patch notes for the announcement.
Gearing Up
While you level, replace pieces as you find upgrades. Items can have Career Rank requirements, and some sets also require Renown Rank or Wards. Check those requirements before spending currency or setting out to farm a particular set.
Gear comes from several activities, including Open RvR, Scenarios, Public Quests, and PvE. For details, start with Equipment and look for the page for your career. The Wards page explains the ward system. You do not need to chase a complete endgame set to get started.
For a longer video walkthrough, see the Ultimate Gearing Guide.
