Miniature Battle Game Review: Warhammer Underworlds - Starter Set

Warhammer Underworlds: Starter Set

Boxed Set – Games Workshop

Overal: 8/10

Warhammer Underworlds: Wyrmhollow recently released as a new core set, and following in its footsteps is this highly anticipated Starter Set. Designed to be accessible to new players, it offers an excellent opportunity to enter the world of Warhammer Underworlds. Unlike the traditional Warhammer games that require a substantial investment in miniatures and numerous supplements, the Starter Set provides a more affordable and streamlined experience. Let’s take a closer look!

Setting

The Starter Set takes place in Shadespire, a captivating Death City trapped in timeless glass. Founded in the Age of Myth, Shadespire, also known as the Mirrored City or the City of Mirrors, graced the edge of the treacherous Desert of Bones. It served as a vital waypoint, offering respite and resources to those daring enough to cross the perilous desert. Shadespire's grandeur extended far beyond its practical function. It boasted awe-inspiring architecture, intricate canals, and magnificent towers that reached toward the heavens. The city bustled with life, its streets teeming with merchants, scholars, and adventurers from all corners of the mortal realms.

However, fate took a dark turn for Shadespire. Through some mysterious calamity or tragic event, the city was banished and expelled from the realm it called home. The once-thriving metropolis became trapped in a state of perpetual exile. As a result, Shadespire acquired a new name, epitomizing its unique state of existence—the City-Between-Realms. Neither fully part of the mortal realms nor wholly severed from them, the city became a haunting and enigmatic place. Its spectral visage was reflected in every surface, giving rise to its alternative name, the Mirrored City or the City of Mirrors.

Now, Shadespire stands as a spectral remnant, its once vibrant streets now eerily empty, its towering structures echoing with a melancholic silence. It has become a place where lost souls, ethereal apparitions, and those who dare to venture into the unknown converge. Legends and mysteries shroud the city's past, waiting to be discovered or remain forever buried within its timeless glass walls.

In the City-Between-Realms, Shadows and ethereal reflections dance in a macabre ballet, beckoning bold adventurers and daring explorers to unlock its secrets and face the dark forces that linger within its glass-clad confines.

The tiles depicting this cityscape are some of the most stunning and intricately designed components in the game. As players engage in battles on these beautifully crafted tiles, they can immerse themselves in the grim and atmospheric world of Warhammer Underworlds. While the old 3D Objective/Scenery Box is not included in the Starter Set, it does provide tokens to enhance the gameplay experience.

About the Game

Warhammer Underworlds is known for its fast-paced action and the strategic depth of deck building. In this game, players command a Warband of their choice, comprising 3 to 7 miniatures.

Each player builds a deck of cards for their Warband, or they can opt for a pre-purchasable hand if they prefer a quicker start. The objective is to engage in fast turn-based arena combat and emerge as the victor.

Rules

A Warband consists of miniatures, corresponding Character Cards, Power Cards, Objective Cards, and dice. The character cards provide essential information about the Warband members, including their health, attack capabilities, and movement abilities. These cards also detail any special abilities possessed by the miniatures and the conditions required to Inspire them. When a unit becomes Inspired, its card is flipped over, granting the unit a powerful boost. Inspiring may result in increased speed, enhanced combat abilities, or expanded skill sets, depending on the Warband.

The Starter Set features two Warbands: the Farstriders and the Sepulchral Guard. The Farstriders are a group of skilled scouts and rangers from the Stormcast Eternals. Led by Sanson Farstrider, they have been chosen to explore Shadespire. With four Health Points, one Defense, and a Movement range of three or four, the Farstriders are formidable fighters. Their objective is to unleash devastating attacks, and if they manage to attack twice in a single turn with different weapons, all three fighters can become Inspired by the end of the third round.

On the other side, the Sepulchral Guard comprises the undead spirits of Shadespire, bestowed with necromantic abilities by Nagash, the god of death and the Supreme Lord of the Undead in the Mortal Realms. Led by the Sepulchral Warden, their strategy is quite different from that of the Farstriders. Rather than relying on individual strength, the Sepulchral Guard thrives on numbers. Each miniature is relatively weak on its own, but they can group up to overwhelm their foes. Additionally, the Sepulchral Warden possesses the ability to bring fallen fighters back into battle in an empowered state. This Warband excels in tactical maneuvering, constantly flooding the battlefield with skeletons to overpower opponents.

Overview

The miniatures included in the Starter Set are made from high-quality plastic (though different that the material most commonly used by Games Workshop/Warhammer) and retain the exceptional level of detail for which Games Workshop is renowned. The Sepulchral Guard, especially, remain amongst the best Undead minis Games Workshop has ever created and even though the Farstriders may be a little less unique, it’s great to see they’re back.

Assembling these figures, previously available in the 1st Edition, is a breeze, as they are designed to be push-fit, requiring only minimal cleanup. The minis can also be seamlessly integrated into an Age of Sigmar army (and/or most tabletop fantasy role-playing games), further expanding their versatility.

Included in box are eight dice: white Attack Dice and black Defense Dice. These customized dice facilitate combat resolution, adding an element of chance and excitement to each roll. Unlike some other Warhammer Underworlds sets, however, there are no Magic Dice included.

The Starter Set also features two reworked Rivals Decks: one for the Sepulchral Guard and another for the Farstriders. These decks have undergone updates and changes since their 1st Edition iteration, making them intriguing even for long-time players. The card design has a more muted color scheme compared to previous editions, with gold accents replaced by a deeper dark mustard brown. While this aesthetic choice may slightly impact legibility, the text boxes used on the objective cards ensure that the effects are still easily readable. More importantly, the Objectives seem to be more coherent and balanced than before, which is a significant upgrade from their first appearance years ago.

The 54-page Playthrough booklet that comes with the Warhammer Underworlds Starter Set is a great resource for both new and experienced players. The book is well laid out, with detailed instructions and lots of helpful pictures, making it particularly useful for beginners who have not played the game before. One of the highlights of the booklet is the primers in the back, which offer valuable guidance on playing with each Warband. The A4 primers provide basic information on the strengths and weaknesses of the Farstriders and Sepulchral Guard and offer useful insights into how to think strategically when using these forces, making them an essential tool for players looking to get the most out of the Starter Set.

The Rulebook, spanning 56 pages, provides comprehensive and up-to-date information on gameplay mechanics. Notably, the rulebook offers a flexible and adaptable approach, allowing players to navigate the game independently once they have mastered the basics presented in the beginner's guide.

Conclusion

The Warhammer Underworlds Starter Set presents an inviting entry point into the captivating world of miniature battles. With its affordable price point, well-crafted miniatures, and engaging gameplay mechanics, the Starter Set appeals to both newcomers and veteran players seeking a fresh experience. The customizable objective decks, rich lore, and atmospheric setting of Shadespire ensure that each game of Warhammer Underworlds is a thrilling and strategic endeavor. Whether playing casually or competitively, the Starter Set offers endless hours of enjoyment and serves as a fantastic introduction to the wider Warhammer universe.

More info: www.welcometowarhammer.com/warhammer-underworlds

Dirk Vandereyken