what are the rules like?
At a browsing, the basic engine is similar to Warhammer, maybe 6th ed. Units are formed of individual models, and you count losses as individual models. You roll d6's and the like.
Differences:
You do not compare values in a table to get the target number, but units have fixed target numbers, similar to Kings of War or AoS. There might be situational modifiers to these numbers. The modern way you see in all games (but T9A).
Then there's a Stamina system. Basically, each unit has three (or more or less) Stamina points which they can use to enhance a single action. On the other hand, some actions, like moving and charging, are not as efficient as in Warhammer without the use of Stamina. Using Stamina also gives a malus in certain situations. So if a unit charged using Stamina, and then loses the combat, their combat resolution is one point less (IIRC). Thus units with unused Stamina points, or which didn't use Stamina this turn, have options and strength. Whereas units without Stamina are more predictable and less efficient, ie. tired. This looks like a good & interesting system to me. But likely needs a lot of balancing. Of course, it also means you need to have some sort of counters for each unit.
Also, magic runs with Stamina, so is a finite resource. Spells aren't that spectacular, and mostly give small boni to your own units. There were a couple of dozen spells described, in various convocations. I don't know if that's all there will be.
There is a morale phase after all the other phases. This means that units stay effective throughout their turn, and that all losses etc. are counted into the panic roll. Seems good to me, as you can pile up damage to a unit, and the unit cannot 'hide behind' its first panic roll.
Can't remember if there were special rules. But this is alpha phase, and the rules are very compressed. I would think when Fireforge adds specialized units and whole new factions, they need to introduce some special rules to differentiate the units and factions.
Just my hunch after one browsing.
FF is also doing a skirmish version that uses round bases. They haven't yet shown any of that.
Also, FF said at one point that they are not doing siege rules (even if the KS has the Renedra castle pieces as add-ons).
-Z