Warhammer 40,000 is easily the most popular miniature war game, but it can also be a little daunting for players who are new to the hobby. Luckily, Games Workshop offers a stripped-down alternative to 40K in the form of Warhammer Underworlds. Players who want to try their hand at a minis game may find it to be a less intimidating alternative to having to put together a 40K army.
Just because the game is easier to pick up doesn't mean that Warhammer Underworlds doesn't still offer engaging play. In fact, its fast pace and simple board make Underworlds well-suited for competitive play. Warhammer Underworlds also offers a quicker setup, allowing players to start the game without the same type of time commitment required to play 40K. Games Workshop also offers starter kits that make it easier to jump into the game. This makes Underworlds a good choice for both established miniature war gamers and new players alike.
Warhammer Underworlds Removes Barriers to Entry
There are a lot of steps players have to take before they can even play Warhammer 40,000. Each 40K army requires players to create a list of units, buy and assemble the models, and then paint them. This will likely take hours, not to mention the hundreds of dollars players will likely need to spend on armies and paint supplies. This can be pretty discouraging for players who don't want to invest so much time and money. Thankfully, Warhammer Underworlds removes most of these barriers.
The first way Underworlds is more accessible for players is its price. It's only $60 for a starter set, which includes everything that two players will need to start playing. While the models for Warhammer Underworlds still need to be assembled, they are easier to build. The models are designed to snap together instead of requiring glue. Underworlds war bands also aren't required to be painted for organized play, as long as players have some method of telling their armies apart. This means that warbands aren't just cheaper than 40K armies, but they also take less time to be ready for play.
Underworlds Allows Players To Experiment More Easily
Thanks to the streamlined army-building process, Warhammer Underworlds makes it easier for players to try out different factions. Instead of having to research the best units from a given faction and then needing to assemble several kits, Underworlds warbands come in a single box. Each warband is only around $40, which is cheaper than most single units from Warhammer 40K. This allows players the freedom to try several different factions to find which playstyle is their favorite.
Once players have chosen their armies and actually start playing, Warhammer Underworlds continues to offer a simplified gameplay experience. Instead of having to measure out the movement of each unit in inches, players move between hexes on a defined game board. Though this is slightly less immersive than 40K's miniature terrains, it does make gameplay quicker and easier. Warbands each come with a set of data cards that help players remember what each of their units can do and specialized dice that indicate the outcome of rolls through symbols. This is a bit simpler than having to check stat blocks from books and compare them to rolls made on traditional dice like in Warhammer 40,000.
Warhammer Underworlds is approachable for those more familiar with card and board games, as it brings in elements of both. By offering players both a simpler gameplay experience and an easier route to actually playing, Warhammer Underworlds presents a much less intimidating option than 40K for those who are new to or are interested in getting into miniatures games.