Start Playing Aeronautica Imperialis in 2026
How to Start Playing Aeronautica Imperialis in 2026 (Despite Being Discontinued)
Recently, Aeronautica Imperialis received its own animated series on Warhammer TV. The skies were filled with Imperial Thunderbolt fighters taking on the Aeldari, and it reminded me just how good this game is. I feel it is the perfect time to suggest how you could return to, or start, dogfighting in the skies of the 41st Millennium.
In this article, I intend to give you a brief guide to the materials you will need to play this great little game, even though it was discontinued by Games Workshop back in 2023.
Not sure which faction to collect? My complete Aeronautica faction guide compares every faction and their playstyles.
Is Aeronautica Imperialis Still Worth Playing in 2026?
Despite being discontinued by Games Workshop in 2023, Aeronautica Imperialis remains one of the best specialist games available to Warhammer fans in 2026. The rules are complete, the game requires relatively few miniatures, and many aircraft can still be purchased through the Legions Imperialis range or found on the second-hand market. Unlike larger tabletop games, a full Aeronautica force can often be assembled, painted, and ready for battle in a fraction of the time and cost required for Warhammer 40,000 or Age of Sigmar. If you enjoy tactical gameplay, aerial combat, and cinematic dogfights in the grim darkness of the far future, Aeronautica Imperialis is still well worth playing today.
What Materials Do You Need to Play a Game of Aeronautica Imperialis?
- Copy of the Rules
- Miniatures
- Dice
- Counters and Tokens
- Manoeuvre Chart
- Area of Engagement
Rules
How easy to obtain? Easy. The Horus Heresy: Aeronautica Imperialis Rulebook is still available from the Warhammer webstore.
The most obvious source of the rules is one of the rulebooks published for the game. These came in two forms: softback books released with the box sets and hardback books released alongside them that contained additional expansion material.
Importantly, the core rules remained the same throughout the game's lifespan, so it does not matter which version of the rules you obtain. The main difference between the books was the faction-specific content.
Wings of Vengeance and the expansion book Rynn's World were released first and covered the Imperial Navy and Orks.
Skies of Fire and the expansion book Taros Air War followed, adding the second wave of Imperial Navy aircraft alongside the Tau Empire.
Wrath of Angels introduced the Adeptus Astartes and the Aeldari. This was quickly followed by the Aeronautica Imperialis Compendium, which added further rules for the Adeptus Astartes, Aeldari, and Necrons.
Adeptus Astartes Faction Review →
Finally, the Horus Heresy rules were released, covering the Adeptus Astartes and elements of the Imperial Navy. Importantly, the miniatures covered in this book were not discontinued but instead became part of Legions Imperialis, the Epic-scale game set during the Horus Heresy. This rulebook is still available from the Warhammer Online Store, as are the miniatures.
Miniatures
How easy to obtain? This depends on the faction you wish to collect.
As mentioned earlier, if you have the Horus Heresy rules, then the aircraft featured in that book, including the Adeptus Astartes and many Imperial Navy aircraft, are still available from the Warhammer Online Store and maybe your friendly local gaming stores.
However, if you want to collect a Xenos faction, you will need to look on eBay, as those aircraft are no longer available directly from Games Workshop.
Aeronautica Miniature Bases
The bases used for Aeronautica Imperialis aircraft are unique to the game. Their hexagonal design helps players determine weapon arcs, speed, and altitude. As such, they are quite valuable during gameplay.
Are they essential? No. However, they make tracking information much easier.
As of 1st July 2026, the bases can still be purchased from the Warhammer Online Store. Additionally, every Aeronautica Imperialis aircraft box, but not Legions Imperialis boxes, originally included them.
Dice
How easy to obtain? Very easy.
The game uses standard six-sided dice, which most hobbyists already own in abundance. You will generally need around ten D6s.
Counters and Tokens
How easy to obtain? Probably one of the more difficult components to acquire if you want the official versions.
Aeronautica Imperialis uses counters to track manoeuvres, damage, tailing, spins, and stalls. There are eight manoeuvre counters numbered 1–8.
The official punch-out tokens were included in the starter boxes and can often be found on eBay. The rulebook also contains token sheets that can be photocopied and used instead.
Alternatively, you could purchase plastic counters from Amazon or eBay and simply label them yourself.
Manoeuvre Chart
How easy to obtain? Very easy.
The manoeuvre chart is included in the rulebook, so if you have a copy of the rules, you already have access to it.
Additionally, the manoeuvre chart can easily be found online as an image.
Area of Engagement (Board)
How easy to obtain? The most difficult component.
The Area of Engagement is the battlefield over which your aircraft will fight. It consists of a hex grid measuring roughly 3' x 3', arranged in a layout of approximately 19 hexes by 18 hexes and overlaid onto an aerial battlefield image.
Originally, each starter set included a double-sided fold-out glossy paper map. In addition, Games Workshop released hard gaming boards alongside the box sets.
Your options for obtaining an Area of Engagement today are:
- Purchase a second-hand board or map from eBay.
- Create your own using a printed hex grid.
- Order a custom-printed battle mat from an online printer.
While it is the hardest component to find, it is also one of the easiest to substitute with a homemade solution.
Final Thoughts
Although Aeronautica Imperialis was discontinued several years ago, it remains one of Games Workshop's most enjoyable specialist games. The rules are fast, intuitive, and do an excellent job of capturing the excitement of aerial combat in the Warhammer universe.
The recent Warhammer TV animation has reminded many hobbyists just how exciting the setting can be, and the game itself is still surprisingly accessible. The core rules remain available, many of the Imperial aircraft can still be purchased through the Legions Imperialis range, and most of the remaining components can be sourced second-hand or replaced with simple alternatives.
One of the biggest advantages of Aeronautica Imperialis is its relatively low cost compared to many other tabletop wargames. A typical force only requires a handful of aircraft, meaning you can build and paint a complete collection with a much smaller investment of both money and hobby time than is required for games such as Warhammer 40,000 or Age of Sigmar.
The low model count also makes it an ideal side project. Two small squadrons are enough to learn the rules and play enjoyable games, making it easy to introduce new players or maintain multiple factions without filling your hobby room with hundreds of miniatures.
No matter which aircraft you choose or how you build your force, remember that the skies are a dangerous place. Strategy, positioning, and quick thinking are key to survival. Plan your manoeuvres carefully, keep an eye on your altitude, and always watch your six, because in Aeronautica Imperialis, the enemy is never far behind.
Whether you're a returning veteran dusting off an old squadron or a newcomer inspired by the recent animation, there has rarely been a better time to take to the skies.
Engines on, weapons armed, and remember to watch you six.
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