Warhammer Underworlds
GAMES WORKSHOP'S COMPETITIVE HEX-BOARD SKIRMISH + DECK-BUILDING WARGAME (2017). Small warbands of 3-6 fighters battle on hex-grid boards using CARD-DRIVEN mechanics. Considered THE MOST COMPETITIVE + TIGHTEST GW GAME. Set in AGE OF SIGMAR universe. Seasons: SHADESPIRE (2017), NIGHTVAULT (2018), BEASTGRAVE (2019), DIRECHASM (2020), HARROWDEEP (2021), NETHERMAZE (2022), GNARLWOOD (2023), DEATHGORGE (2024). 30-45 min games; strong global tournament scene.
What is Warhammer Underworlds?
WARHAMMER UNDERWORLDS is a COMPETITIVE HEX-BOARD SKIRMISH + DECK-BUILDING WARGAME by GAMES WORKSHOP (2017 launch). Set in the AGE OF SIGMAR universe (Mortal Realms). Small warbands of 3-6 fighters battle on 2 combined HEX-GRID BOARDS using CARD-DRIVEN activation + attack mechanics. Considered THE MOST COMPETITIVE + TIGHTEST-BALANCED GAMES WORKSHOP GAME + a benchmark for elegant miniature skirmish design. Each SEASON introduces new warbands + boards: (a) SHADESPIRE (2017, Sigmarite + Bloodreavers); (b) NIGHTVAULT (2018, Stormcast Sacrosanct + Nighthaunt); (c) BEASTGRAVE (2019, Ironjawz + Kurnothi); (d) DIRECHASM (2020, Cursed City); (e) HARROWDEEP (2021, Kharadron Overlords); (f) NETHERMAZE (2022); (g) GNARLWOOD (2023); (h) DEATHGORGE (2024, current). 20+ WARBANDS released — each 3-6 unique fighters with signature Play + Objective cards. GAMEPLAY: 2 players on 2 combined boards; deploy fighters; take TURNS of 4 ACTIVATIONS each; each activation = 1 fighter takes 1 action (Move / Charge / Attack / Guard). Combat = attacker's ATTACK DICE vs. defender's DEFENSE DICE. Between rounds, players DRAW POWER + OBJECTIVE CARDS to score VP. Game ends after 3 ROUNDS (12 total activations per player). WIN = MOST GLORY POINTS from completed Objectives. DECK-BUILDING is core: pre-build POWER DECK (20 cards for tactical spells + upgrades) + OBJECTIVE DECK (12 cards for scoring conditions). 30-45 MIN per game — one of the FASTEST GW games. COMPETITIVE: (a) Warhammer Underworlds World Championships; (b) AdeptiCon Underworlds; (c) UK Grand Clash + US Grand Clash; (d) LVO Underworlds; (e) Best Coast Pairings rankings.
Quick facts
Category
Miniature Wargames
Type
Individual
Players
2–4
Duration
~40 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
2 combined hex-grid boards (~30×20 cm)
Country of origin
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Estimated origin
Launched Sept 2017 as Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire; annual season releases through Deathgorge 2024
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Score most Glory Points from completed Objective cards + kills across 3 game rounds. Highest GP wins.
Rules
Basic rules
3 rounds × 4 activations per player
Total 12 activations each; each activation = 1 fighter takes 1 action.
Actions: Move / Charge / Attack / Guard
Simple action menu; fighters activate individually.
Combat: attack dice vs defense dice
Attacker's hammer/sword symbols vs defender's shield/dodge symbols.
Power cards played reactively
Upgrade cards enhance fighters; gambit cards trigger tactical effects.
Objective cards score GP end-of-round
Score conditions determine victory.
Deck-building: 20 Power + 12 Objective
Constructed pre-game selection = competitive core.
Scoring
Score Glory Points (GP) from completed Objective cards + surge objectives + kills across 3 rounds; highest GP wins.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| End-of-round Objective completed | 1-3 GP per Objective |
| Surge Objective (immediate) | 1 GP when triggered |
| Kill enemy fighter | Contributes to scoring Objectives |
| Hold objective hex | Contributes to positional Objectives |
Win condition · Highest GP total after 3 rounds. Tiebreak = most fighters remaining alive.
Playing area
Called
2 combined hex-grid boards (~30×20 cm)
Dimensions
2 boards, each 12×8 hexes (~30×20 cm)
Combined hex-grid board with LOS + terrain hexes (blocked, cover, feature). Compact tabletop footprint.
Equipment
Season core set (Deathgorge 2024 current)
£75 GBP; 2 warbands + boards + cards + rules
Warband expansion packs
£30 each; 1 warband (3-6 fighters) + cards
Warhammer Underworlds Rules of Play
Free PDF from GW Community
Custom attack + defense dice
Hammer, swords, crits, shields, blocks, dodges
Power + Objective card decks
Deck-building constructed formats
Card sleeves recommended
£10-15 for competitive sleeving
Strategies
Warband + deck synergy
Build Power/Objective decks around warband strengths (aggro rush vs objective camping).
Prioritize scoring objectives
GP wins games; kills only matter if they enable scoring.
Save gambit cards for critical moments
1 well-timed gambit can swing a game.
Championship-format card list awareness
Restricted cards change meta quarterly.
Activation efficiency
12 activations total; each must contribute to plan.
Terminology
- Glory Point (GP)
- Victory currency; earned from Objectives + surges.
- Power card
- Deck of 20 tactical + upgrade cards played during game.
- Objective card
- Deck of 12 scoring conditions; complete to earn GP.
- Gambit
- Instant-effect Power card.
- Upgrade
- Persistent Power card attached to fighter.
- Surge Objective
- Objective scored immediately when triggered mid-round.
- End Phase Objective
- Objective scored end of round if conditions met.
- Championship / Rivals format
- Competitive card restrictions (Championship allows most cards; Rivals uses only in-print cards).
Major competitions
Warhammer Underworlds World Championships
annual · worldwide · since 2018
AdeptiCon Underworlds GT
annual · USA · since 2018
UK Grand Clash + US Grand Clash
annual · UK/USA · since 2018
LVO Underworlds
annual · USA · since 2019
Local GW store leagues
monthly · worldwide · since 2017
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Games Workshop Specialist Games
Founded 2017 · Nottingham, UK
Underworlds Organized Play
Founded 2018 · worldwide
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Dave Sanders (UK) — Original Underworlds designer
- Sam Pearson (UK) — GW Specialist Games developer
- Multiple World Champions rotating annually
- Steel City Underdogs + Squad Broken — Popular Underworlds coaching podcasts
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Buy current season starter (Deathgorge 2024)
£75 for 2 warbands + boards + cards + rules.
- 2
Play with pre-built starter decks first
Learn game before deckbuilding.
intermediate
- 1
Buy 3rd warband + build custom decks
Deck-building is competitive core.
- 2
Attend local Underworlds night
GW stores host regular events.
advanced
- 1
Compete at Grand Clash / Warhammer World
Path to World Championship.
- 2
Study Steel City Underdogs podcast
Meta analysis + deck-building.
Frequently asked
What is Warhammer Underworlds?+
GAMES WORKSHOP'S COMPETITIVE HEX-BOARD SKIRMISH + DECK-BUILDING WARGAME (2017 launch). Set in Age of Sigmar universe. 2 players field warbands of 3-6 fighters on hex-grid boards; use pre-built Power + Objective card decks to score Glory Points across 3 rounds. Considered THE MOST COMPETITIVE + TIGHTEST-BALANCED GW GAME. 30-45 min games. Annual season releases (Shadespire → Deathgorge 2024).
How is Underworlds different from Kill Team?+
BOTH GW skirmish but VERY DIFFERENT. KILL TEAM = W40K sci-fi, 5-14 operatives, 60-90 min, no card decks. UNDERWORLDS = Age of Sigmar fantasy, 3-6 fighters, 30-45 min, CARD-DECK-BUILDING core mechanic. Underworlds is TIGHTER + FASTER + more card-game-like; Kill Team is more traditional miniatures wargame. Different appeal — Underworlds for CCG-hybrid fans, Kill Team for pure tabletop skirmish fans.
Which Underworlds season starter is best?+
CURRENT SEASON (Deathgorge 2024) is most future-proof for tournaments. Older seasons (Shadespire, Nightvault, Beastgrave) still fully playable but may be OUT OF CURRENT META. Buy current season for competitive play; older seasons for cheap collection or specific warband art you love.
Sources & provenance
- Warhammer Community — Underworlds— GW Community
- BoardGameGeek — Warhammer Underworlds— BGG
- Wikipedia — Warhammer Underworlds— Wikipedia