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Necromunda: Underhive (2017) Board Game

ByMichail

Necromunda: Underhive is a tabletop board game released in 2017 by Games Workshop Ltd. It is set in the grim and gritty Warhammer 40,000 universe, specifically in the sprawling industrial hive cities of Necromunda. Players take on the roles of rival gangs vying for control of the Underhive, battling it out for supremacy in the depths of the city.

Game Components of Necromunda: Underhive

  • Miniatures:** 10 Escher Gang and 10 Goliath Gang miniatures with multiple build options.
  • Rulebook:** A 104-page softback book containing background, rules, and scenario setups.
  • Tactics Cards:** 28 Tactics Cards and 42 Profile Cards, including gang-specific and blank cards for custom fighters.
  • Gaming Tiles:** 9 unique, double-sided tiles for creating the Underhive environment.
  • Scenery:** Bulkhead doors, barricades, ammo crates, loot crates, traps, and other terrain pieces.
  • Tokens and Dice:** Various tokens for game status and 16 six-sided dice.

    How To Setup Necromunda: Underhive

    To set up the game, players start by configuring the gaming tiles to create the Underhive environment. This involves placing the tiles together in various configurations to form corridors, tunnels, and open spaces. Each scenario has specific setup instructions outlined in the rulebook, including the placement of scenery pieces like barricades and traps. Players then choose their gangs, equip their gangers with weapons and wargear, and distribute tactics cards. The game board is designed to be highly modular, allowing for different layouts each time the game is played.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Activation-Based Gameplay:** Players take turns activating models to perform actions such as moving, shooting, or charging into hand-to-hand combat.
  • Campaign Progression:** Gangs gain experience, credits, and new equipment between battles. Wounded gangers can suffer injuries or die, adding a layer of permanence to the game.
  • Tactics Cards:** Add an element of unpredictability and strategy with gang-specific and general tactics.
  • Objective-Based Scenarios:** Each scenario has specific victory conditions, such as capturing territory or eliminating the enemy gang.

    Player Experience

    Necromunda: Underhive offers a deeply immersive and narrative-driven experience. Players become attached to their miniatures as they gain experience, suffer injuries, and sometimes die. The game’s campaign mode allows for the development of stories and personalities around each ganger, making each battle feel meaningful and emotionally invested. The modular board and varied scenarios ensure that no two games are the same, keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting.

    Pros

  • Immersive Setting:** The game is set in a rich, dystopian environment with detailed background lore.
  • High Customization:** Players can build and customize their gangs extensively, including creating their own fighters.
  • Replayability:** Modular board and varied scenarios ensure high replayability.
  • Narrative Depth:** The campaign mode allows for the development of narratives and emotional attachment to miniatures.

    Cons

  • Complexity:** The game can be clunky and overcomplicated for new players.
  • Representation Issues:** While the game includes diverse characters, some aspects of representation are complex and potentially problematic.
  • Time Commitment:** Games can take around 2 hours, and campaign play requires significant time investment.

    Personal Thoughts on Necromunda: Underhive

    Necromunda: Underhive is ideal for those already familiar with tabletop miniatures games and the Warhammer 40,000 universe. It offers a unique blend of tactical gameplay and narrative depth that will appeal to fans of skirmish games. However, it may not be the best introduction for new players due to its complexity. For enthusiasts with extensive terrain collections, this game provides endless opportunities for immersive and challenging gameplay. Despite some flaws, the game retains a certain magic that makes it compelling for those who enjoy the gritty, violent world of Necromunda.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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