The first core set for the new edition of Warhammer Underworlds from Games Workshop, Embergard, will go on pre-order next week.  The updated version of the game features streamlined rules, new deck-building mechanics, and new warbands.

Launched in 2017, Warhammer Underworlds has offered small-scale, card-driven tactical battles in the world of Warhammer:  Age of Sigmar.  The core concepts of the game undergo some new refinements with the new edition.  The updated rules have been streamlined to help onboard new players while introducing a new statistic for all fighters called Bounty, which determines the rewards an opponent gets for eliminating them.  An “underdog” mechanic has also been added, which awards benefits to a player who is behind.  In addition, the battlegrounds have been tightened to a single board, triggering combat more quickly.

Warband construction has also been simplified, with all card decks now being universal, supplemented by unique Warband Warscrolls for every warband which define the special rules that apply only to that warband.  Warbands now have unique Inspire conditions and Warband Abilities ranging from ones that can be used every round to more powerful once-per-game abilities.  All 58 currently available warbands will get updated abilities and rules, available as downloads.  The 16 factions highlighted in the Grand Alliance boxes will be represented by physical cards available in those boxed sets.

Players still construct their own decks for the game, but rather than using warband-specific cards, they have access to four playstyle decks:  Strike, Take & Hold, Mastery, and Flex.  Players choose the playstyle deck that best fits their warband and strategy.  Any playstyle deck can be used with any warband, so players can fine tune their own approach.

Click Gallery below to see sample cards from the game.

Embergard will be the first set to implement the new rules, and is designed as a complete two-player resource for the game.  It includes all four playstyle decks, the updated rules, a quick-start guide, a double-sided gameboard, two complete warbands featuring the Stormcast Eternals of the Emberwatch and Clan Skryre Skaven of Zikkit’s Tunnelpack, tokens, and dice.

Games Workshop is also offering new sets for Warhammer 40,000:  Kill Team (see “Games Workshop Unveils ‘Warhammer 40,000:  Kill Team – Starter Set” and “Games Workshop Reveals Four ‘Warhammer 40,000:  Kill Team’ Sets”) as well as a new Blood Angels Combat Patrol set (see “New ‘Warhammer 40,000’ ‘Combat Patrol’ Set Incoming”).