NECROMUNDA N26
Welcome to the Underhive. Bring a gang, a plan, and absolutely no expectation of a fair fight.
Welcome to Necromunda, a tabletop skirmish game of rival gangs battling for survival, territory, reputation and whatever valuable scrap hasn’t already been claimed by someone with a bigger gun. Set in the enormous hive city of Hive Primus, Necromunda is a grimy, dangerous world where noble houses rule from glittering towers while billions of people struggle to survive in the toxic depths below. Your gang might be made up of industrial bruisers, chemically enhanced fighters, scavengers, bounty hunters, enforcers, cultists or wonderfully strange outcasts. The important thing is that they are yours — and they are probably about to make a terrible decision.
Necromunda N26 is built around small-scale battles rather than huge armies. You control individual fighters, each with their own weapons, abilities, personality and place in the gang. Fighters move through cramped corridors, gantries, ruins and industrial machinery, taking cover, climbing ladders, firing across walkways and getting into brutal close combat. A battle might involve claiming loot, rescuing a captured fighter, hunting a rival leader, escaping with valuable cargo or simply trying to be the last gang standing. Objectives matter, positioning matters, and occasionally the most important tactical decision is deciding which direction to run in.
The game is played through individual activations, so you do not usually move your entire gang and then wait while your opponent does the same. Instead, players take turns activating fighters, choosing when to move, shoot, charge, interact with objectives or perform other actions. This creates a tense back-and-forth where timing is crucial. Do you activate your champion now and risk leaving your leader exposed? Do you send a ganger to grab the loot, or keep them in cover? Do you take the long route around the machinery, or make a heroic — and probably foolish — leap across a gap? The rules give you plenty of options, but the Underhive has a habit of turning sensible plans into memorable disasters.
STARTING OUT: WHAT DO I NEED?
You do not need a massive collection to begin. Necromunda is designed around gangs of individual models, often around a dozen fighters or fewer depending on the gang and scenario. You need a gang, the relevant rules, dice, measuring equipment, tokens and a battlefield with plenty of terrain. The N26 Core Set provides a ready-made starting point with House Escher and House Goliath gangs, a playmat, terrain, dice, templates, markers, cards and starter materials. It is designed to let new players get into the action quickly, while also giving experienced players two gangs that can be expanded and developed.
For a first game, keep things simple. Use the suggested starter rosters, play a straightforward scenario and concentrate on learning the basic sequence: activate a fighter, choose their actions, resolve attacks and keep track of conditions. You do not need to understand every weapon trait, campaign rule or unusual gang ability immediately. Start with movement, shooting, close combat and objectives. Once those feel familiar, add more of the interesting stuff — and Necromunda has a lot of interesting stuff.
A useful beginner habit is to think about cover and objectives before thinking about dramatic heroics. A fighter standing in the open is usually having a much worse day than a fighter tucked behind a wall. Keep your gang close enough to support one another, but not so close that one explosive surprise ruins everyone’s afternoon. Remember that not every battle is won by knocking out the most enemy fighters. Sometimes the winner is the gang that grabs the loot, holds the right territory or knows when to leave before things become medically complicated.
CHOOSING YOUR GANG
Necromunda has a wide range of gangs, and they are not simply different colours of the same army. Each has its own style, equipment, background and battlefield personality.
House Escher are fast, agile and stylish, with a strong emphasis on mobility, specialised weapons, toxins and dangerous close-range attacks. They are ideal for players who like speed, tricks and looking spectacular while doing something deeply irresponsible.
House Goliath are powerful, tough and built for getting close to the enemy. They favour brute strength, heavy weapons and fighters who can absorb punishment. A good choice if your preferred strategy is “walk towards them and make the problem personal.”
House Orlock are versatile, dependable and comfortable with guns, vehicles and a practical approach to gang warfare. They are a good fit for players who want a flexible force that can handle several situations.
House Van Saar specialise in advanced technology, powerful ranged weapons and excellent equipment. They reward careful positioning and planning, although their fighters may be less forgiving when caught in the wrong place.
House Cawdor are scavengers, zealots and improvised-weapons enthusiasts. They can bring numbers, unpredictable equipment and a great deal of enthusiasm to a fight. They are perfect for anyone who thinks a rusty weapon, a suspicious bundle of explosives and blind faith are all perfectly reasonable.
House Delaque are mysterious, sneaky and unsettling. They lean into stealth, information, unusual abilities and psychological pressure. They suit players who enjoy deception, ambushes and making opponents wonder what is hiding just out of sight.
Palanite Enforcers bring a law-and-order theme, with disciplined fighters, armour and specialist equipment. They offer a very different flavour from the Clan Houses and are a natural choice for players who enjoy a more organised force.
Corpse Grinder Cults, Outcasts, Venators, Ironhead Squat Prospectors, Ash Waste Nomads, Genestealer Cults, Chaos Cults, Spyre Hunting Parties and other gangs offer even more unusual ways to play. These can be especially appealing to experienced players or anyone with a very specific idea for the gang they want to create.
The best gang is usually the one whose models, background and general attitude make you want to paint them and tell stories about them. Necromunda is a narrative game as much as a tactical one, so choosing a gang because you love the look of it is a perfectly sensible strategy. You can worry about optimisation after your first fighter survives a battle long enough to earn a nickname.
READY TO ENTER THE UNDERHIVE?
Whether you are completely new to tabletop games, returning after a long break or already have a gang with a terrifying reputation, Necromunda has a place for you. Beginners can start with a small roster and learn the game one activation at a time. Experienced players can build detailed gangs, explore campaign options and discover new tricks in the updated rules.
Come along, meet the group, borrow some dice if you need to, and we can help you choose a gang, put together a beginner roster and get your first game underway. You do not need to know every rule before playing — you just need a willingness to roll dice, make questionable tactical decisions and find out what happens next.
Bring your gang. Bring your imagination. Bring a spare fighter if possible.
The Underhive is waiting — and someone has already stolen the loot.
