The Necromunda game is a tabletop skirmish wargame set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, where you control a gang fighting for survival in the nightmare depths of a hive city. It’s been running since 1995 and remains one of Games Workshop’s most distinctive side games.
What is the Necromunda game?
It’s a small-scale skirmish game. Instead of armies, you command a handful of fighters in a gang, battling rivals in the Underhive, the lawless bottom layers of a hive city on the planet Necromunda.
The game uses 28mm miniatures and heavily vertical terrain. Buildings have multiple floors, and walkways and bridges connect them, so fights happen in three dimensions.
Campaign play and gang development
Necromunda shines in campaigns. Your fighters gain experience, pick up skills, and suffer lasting injuries between battles. You earn credits to recruit new members and buy weapons or rare gear.
Winning gangs grow stronger, but they also attract attention. It’s a balancing act that keeps long-running campaigns tense.
- Fighters earn experience and can gain skills like Infiltration or Rapid Fire.
- Serious injuries can cripple or kill your fighters permanently.
- Credits from scenarios and territories let you expand your gang.
A brief history of the Necromunda game
The game began as Confrontation, a set of skirmish rules published in White Dwarf in 1990 and 1991. That laid the groundwork for the hive world, the Underhive, and gang warfare.
The first proper Necromunda boxed set arrived in 1995, designed by Andy Chambers, Jervis Johnson, and Rick Priestley. It was supported until 2003, then relaunched as Necromunda: Underhive in 2017. A fourth edition is listed for 2026.
Note: sources differ slightly on the number of hive cities on Necromunda, with some saying six and others nine.
| Edition | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Confrontation | 1990 | White Dwarf rules that inspired Necromunda |
| 1st Edition | 1995 | Original boxed game, expanded by Outlanders in 1996 |
| 2nd Edition | 2003 | Necromunda: Underhive rulebook |
| 3rd Edition | 2017 | Relaunch as Necromunda: Underhive |
| 4th Edition | 2026 | Announced |
Gangs of the Underhive
The original game featured iconic gangs like House Escher, Goliath, Orlock, Van Saar, Cawdor, and Delaque. Later editions added more, including Chaos cults and Genestealer cults.
Each gang has its own style, from Escher’s agile fighters to Goliath’s brute strength. Your choice shapes how you play and what stories you tell.
Beyond the tabletop
Necromunda has inspired novels and video games. The 1995 game also left a mark on Warhammer 40,000 lore, fleshing out hive cities and gang warfare.
If you like the Underhive, you’ll find plenty of fiction and games that explore it further.
Key facts
- Necromunda is a skirmish tabletop wargame set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
- It was first released by Games Workshop in 1995, designed by Andy Chambers, Jervis Johnson, and Rick Priestley.
- Players control gangs in the Underhive, with campaign rules for experience, injuries, and credits.
- The game is known for its vertical, multi-level terrain.
- It was relaunched as Necromunda: Underhive in 2017, with a fourth edition announced for 2026.
FAQ
Is Necromunda the same as Warhammer 40,000?
No, it’s a separate skirmish game set in the same universe. It uses similar miniatures but focuses on small gang fights instead of large armies.
How many players does Necromunda support?
The original game was designed for 2 players, though some editions and scenarios allow up to 4.
What’s the current edition of Necromunda?
The game was relaunched as Necromunda: Underhive in 2017. A fourth edition is listed for 2026.