The game is played with white metal, plastic, and resin miniatures representing military characters from the Iron Kingdoms setting.

[3] Warmachine's most distinctive feature is the inclusion of Warcasters and Warjacks (the war machines from which the game derives its name).

They are, in general, powered by a coal-burning steam engine and guided by an arcane supercomputer-like "brain" called a cortex.

Some are infantry or gunners, while others have more specialized roles, from warjack repairmen to "journeyman" warcasters—novice versions of the models that command armies.

Taking a role similar to a battleship, each Colossal is heavily armed and capable of dealing and receiving large amounts of damage.

The third major expansion, Warmachine: Vengeance, added new Epic versions of older warlords, as well as new units, solos and warjacks.

Most recently, through the CID or Community Integrated Development process, a new model type has been added called structures.

These immobile models often deploy far ahead of normal forces, but may not change positions throughout the game, and provide a powerful, if situational, bonus to your army.

Stationed atop the largest base size in the game, these massive buildings can be seen from anywhere on the battlefield, making them tempting targets, but often powerful fortifications.

In June 2024, it was announced that Steamforged Games had acquired the Iron Kingdoms brand, which includes Warmachine and related other titles.

Additionally warcasters can use focus to cast spells performing all manner of arcane effects from attacks, to movement bonuses, to offensive/defensive enhancements.

[9] In December 2019 a new Twitter account @HengeholdScroll started to report what was going on the battlefield, revealing character motivations and relations.

MKIV introduced a roughly 10 year time jump, which saw many existing factions and characters change drastically.

[13] The new WARMACHINE: MKIV armies are Cygnar Storm Legion, Khador Winter Korps, Dusk House Kallyss, Orgoth Sea Raiders, Southern Kriels Brineblood Marauders, and Khymaera Shadowflame Shard.

[16] On July 10, 2013, Privateer Press launched a Kickstarter project to aid development of this game now titled Warmachine: Tactics, ultimately raising a total of $1,578,950.

[19] Grind is an arena sports/combat board game published by Privateer Press in 2009 set the Warmachine universe in which each player tries to maneuver a giant spiked ball into their opponent's goal using warjacks.