Warhammer Underworlds is a compact two-player skirmish game in which small warbands fight over objectives on a modular board, using dice, objective cards and power cards. It suits players who want a Warhammer game with a handful of miniatures, short games and a small footprint. The easiest way in is a boxed game such as Warhammer Underworlds: Embergard or Warhammer Underworlds: Spitewood.
What is Warhammer Underworlds?
Underworlds is a standalone game from the wider Warhammer hobby, set in the Mortal Realms of Warhammer Age of Sigmar. You do not need an army or a large table. Each player brings one warband of a few miniatures, a deck of objective cards and a deck of power cards.
If you are still deciding which part of the hobby suits you, our Warhammer at Universe TCG buying guide compares the different games and ranges.
How does Warhammer Underworlds play?
Games are short and tactical. Two players take turns activating fighters, moving, attacking and scoring. The aim is to earn glory by completing objectives, so the winner is not always the player who removes the most enemy fighters.
- Warbands: small groups of miniatures, each with its own strengths and style.
- Boards: double-sided boards that fit together into a small battlefield, with hexes, cover and hazards.
- Cards: objective cards give you goals, and power cards give you tricks, upgrades and reactions.
- Dice: custom dice resolve attacks and defence.
Because the cards matter so much, deck-building is a large part of the appeal. It will feel familiar if you already play a card game.
Where should I start with Warhammer Underworlds?
For most newcomers the best first purchase is a boxed game. A box gives you two warbands, the boards, dice and cards in one purchase, so you can play as soon as you have built and based the models. You also get an opponent's side, which makes it a good buy for two people starting together.
- Warhammer Underworlds: Embergard (English) is a complete starting point for two players.
- Warhammer Underworlds: Spitewood (English) is the other boxed option, with a different pair of warbands and its own look.
If you already own a boxed game, the next sensible step is a single warband you like the look of, plus a Rivals deck for it.
What are Rivals decks?
Rivals decks are ready-made card sets built for the game's Rivals format. They save you from assembling a deck from scratch, and they are a useful way to try a different play style without buying a new warband. They are also good for players who want to start playing without a long deckbuilding stage.
- Edge of the Knife Rivals Deck
- Raging Slayers Rivals Deck
- Realmstone Raiders Rivals Deck
- Reckless Fury Rivals Deck
- Wrack and Ruin Rivals Deck
Check the deck's description to see which warbands it is designed around, and pick one that matches the models you own or plan to buy.
Which warbands can I collect?
Warbands are sold individually or in multi-warband sets. Grouping them by alignment is a simple way to browse.
Order warbands
Chaos warbands
Death warbands
Destruction warbands
Individual warbands
- Borgit's Beastgrabbaz
- Grandfather's Gardeners
- Jaws of Itzl
- Kamandora's Blades
- Knives of the Crone
- Thyrielle's Zephyrites
The multi-warband sets are good value for collectors, since they give you several warbands in a single purchase. A single-warband box suits you better if you already know the one you want.
How do I choose a warband?
Start with the models you enjoy painting. Underworlds rewards any warband in the right hands, and a team you like looking at will get played more. After that, think about how you like to play: fast and aggressive, patient and objective-focused, or something in between.
If you collect another Warhammer army, a warband from the same faction is a natural pick, and it lets you reuse the same paint recipes.
Painting your Underworlds warband
Small warbands are among the best projects for a new painter. You only have a few miniatures, so you can finish a full team quickly and learn as you go. Our guide to starting painting Warhammer miniatures covers the basic tools and techniques, and the Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints guide explains the paint ranges so you can choose a sensible starter set.
The boards and miniatures are playable unpainted, but a painted warband makes the game feel much more like a proper battle.
Want the story behind the setting?
The Mortal Realms and their factions have plenty of fiction. The Black Library reading guide is a good place to start if you would like background for the warbands you collect.
Warhammer Underworlds FAQ
Is Warhammer Underworlds good for beginners?
Yes. The models, the board and the games are small, so the barrier to entry is lower than for a full army game. A boxed game contains everything you need for two players.
Do I need to paint the miniatures to play?
No. The game works with unpainted miniatures. Many players paint a warband over time, and it is a pleasant way to learn the hobby.
Do I need two boxes to play?
Not if you buy a boxed game, because it includes two warbands. If you buy a single warband, you will need an opponent with their own warband, plus boards and dice, which a boxed game provides.
What is the difference between a boxed game and a Rivals deck?
A boxed game gives you miniatures, boards, dice and cards. A Rivals deck is a card set only, designed to give you a ready-made deck in the Rivals format. You need the miniatures separately.
Can I use any warband with any deck?
Some cards are tied to a specific warband, while others are usable by any warband. Check the product description for what a deck is built around before you buy.
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