History TabletopGame / Necromunda

Although initially similarly short-lived, ''Necromunda'' enjoyed considerably more support than Games Workshop's other {{Gaiden Game}}s, featuring more prominently in their publicity, and in their ''Magazine/WhiteDwarf'' and (now defunct) ''Citadel Journal'' publications. It also had two ComicBook series based in ''Necromunda'': ''Kal Jerico'' (following the titular rogue) and ''ComicBook/TheRedeemer'' (following a Redemptionist in his crusade against heretics). However, it too eventually dropped off the radar, with one official expansion and a second edition, ''Necromunda: Underhive'', being produced. The game was eventually discontinued, along with the rest of the Specialist Games range, in 2013 (having fairly consistently been the best-selling part of the range for a decade). In April 2017 a new 40K GaidenGame, ''Shadow War: Armageddon'', was released based on the ''Necromunda'' ruleset. November 2017 then saw the release of a 3rd Edition of the game, also called ''Necromunda: Underhive'', which includes the basic rules, that were expanded by a number of supplemental {{Sourcebook}}s, such as the ''Necromunda: Gang War'' series, ''Necromunda: The Book of Peril'', and ''Necromunda: The Book of Judgement'' that include campaign rules, extra gangs, hired guns and other advanced rules. An expanded hardback rulebook was also released in November 2018. The updated game has proven enduringly popular, and continued to get new rulebooks and expansions well into TheNewTwenties, most prominently a series devoted, at last, to the Ash Wastes between the hives and running adventures in that environment, complete with new gang types and the introduction of ''Necromunda''-scale vehicle rules (!!), with a focus on the land-trains that run between hives.

** The exotic beasts, introduced in 3rd Edition, are animals that can be purchased by Gang Leaders and Champions who will fight alongside their master in a game. Each House has their own unique beast that reflects the character of the House such as the tough but thick Goliath [[NeverSmileAtACrocodile Sumpkroc]], the high-tech Van Saar [[SpidersAreScary Cyberachnid]], the Sheen Birds considered to be embodiments of the Emperor's grace by members of House Cawdor, or the Khimerix, gene-spliced by House Escher from various dangerous and xenos beasts.

** Brutes, introduced in 3rd Edition, a large and powerful fighters made for smashing through enemies but with little in the way of intelligence. They tend to possess high combat abilities but lower mental characteristics, with the exception of the Van Saar Arachni-rig Servo-suit, whose high Intelligence is their [[GangOfHats hat]].

* LightningLash: The 3rd Edition introduced shock whips, long, coiling weapons are popular amongst the more experienced members of House Escher. When fully energised a shock whip resembles a handheld bolt of lightning that can incapacitate enemy fighters with the slightest tough.
* MakeMeWannaShout: The Wyrd Minor Power Banshee Howl[[note]]from 1st Edition[[/note]] allowed the psyker to unleash a powerful scream that causes enemy fighters waiting for a shot to be knocked out of Overwatch[[note]]a state that allows them to fire at models moving through their line of sight[[/note]] as they are buffeted by noise.

* NormalFishInATinyPond: While in the main ''Warhammer 40,000'' game, the Imperial Guards' lasguns and flak armour are compare poorly to the equipment of other factions, it's usually because those other armies are immortal death machines, spore-based super warriors, or {{Sufficiently Advanced Alien}}s. The Imperial Guard still has ten thousand years of technology and the resources of the quadrillion strong Imperium of Man. Compared to them, the gangs of ''Necromunda'' are, well, slum dwellers. The general lack of armour or sophisticated weapons in the game's underhive setting makes even basic and improvised weapons like knives, big chunks of pipe, and ordinary pistols (aka "stub guns") reasonably effective. Lasguns are actually toward the high end of the effectiveness scale, and flak armour is elite gear. A single Space Marine or Genestealer would be a OneManArmy. The developers describe the Genestealer Cult in ''Necromunda'' as an almost insignificant off-shoot of a greater whole compared to the ones in the parent game.

* WhipItGood: The shock whip[[note]]introduced during the 3rd Edition of the game[[/note]] is a long, coiling weapon popular amongst the more experienced members of House Escher gangs. When fully energised a shock whip resembles a handheld bolt of lightning that can incapacitate enemy fighters with the slightest tough.

* AristocratsAreEvil: in typically GrimDark Warhammer 40k fashion this is [[ExaggeratedTrope Exaggerated]] to an almost cartoonish degree. Even beyond the oppression, inequality, casual sadism and decadence that is usually present with this trope (but taken up to eleven), Nobles send their children as "Spyre Hunters" into the underhive to achive a certain objective to prove they have the cunning and ruthlessness necessary to survive the [[DecadentCourt politics]] of the Spire. Often this objective is to kill a certain number of the locals. This guarantees Necromunda's top nobility is full of the most cunning, ruthless and sadistic sociopaths. The current ruler of Necromunda, Haera Astaria Vorterra Helmawr, was disappointed that "only" three workers died of exhaustion whilst moving her dining room table into position. She also gained her position as 137th Lord of Necromunda in a vicious battle she planned at her "Bloody Banquet" where six of her siblings were killed (along with several servants as collateral damage) and subsequently eliminating any other political and dynastic rivals she could find. Not that her targets were any better.

A video game called ''VideoGame/NecromundaUnderhiveWars'' was announced in 2017 and was released on the 8th of September, 2020.

** Of the 6 original gangs, House Goliath are a [[TestosteronePoisoning machismo culture]] who rely on brute strength; House Van Saar are skilled technophiles; House Escher are [[AmazonBrigade Amazons]] who favor agility, speed and (in 3rd Edition) [[PoisonedWeapons chemical weapons]]; House Delaque are [[BaldOfEvil bald]], stealthy assassins in [[BadassLongcoat trenchcoats]]; House Cawdor are {{Knight Templar}}s; and House Orlock are [[TheMario flexible, all-rounder combatants]].

* SpiritualSuccessor: The game ''Confrontation'' as serialised in ''Magazine/WhiteDwarf'', dealt with running underhive gangs in small scale skirmishes and what went on in the downtime between them. Exceedingly complex and terrifyingly lethal (roll up a gang in a few hours, have the first guy killed within a minute of starting to play) but interesting nonetheless. ''Necromunda'' vastly streamlined gameplay and fleshed out the background. The rules of ''Confrontation'' were eventually reused as the basis for another GW game: ''TabletopGame/{{Inquisitor}}''.

** The number of leaders and special fighters a gang can include on their roster is limited, either by total number or by other factors such as the number of regular fighters the gang contains. 1st and 2nd Edition gangs could only include 2 [[GeniusBruiser Heavies]] (or their equivalents) while 3rd Edition limits the number of Champions (or equivalents) to 2 plus 1 more per 10 Reputation the gang has, while Hangers-On[[note]]non-combatant specialists[[/note]] and [[DumbMuscle Brutes]] are limited to 1 plus 1 more for every 5 Reputation the gang has. Each type of Hanger-On and Brute also has its own limit: three [[TheEngineer Ammo Jacks]], two Ambots, one [[CampCook Slopper]] for example. 3rd Edition Chaos Cult gangs are also only allowed to have up to one Witch.

** The exotic beasts, introduced in 3rd Edition, are animals that can be purchased by Gang Leaders and Champions who will fight alongside their master in a game. Each House has their own unique beast that reflects the character of the House such as the tough but thick Goliath [[NeverSmileAtACrocodile Sumpkroc]], the high-tech Van Saar [[SpidersAreScary Cyberachnid]] or the Sheen Birds considered to be embodiments of the Emperor's grace by members of House Cawdor.
** Khimerix, the Escher House Brute introduced during 3rd Edition, are gene-spliced creatures created from various dangerous and xenos beasts. These creatures are mostly used to guard the most important installations of House Escher, but some will be gifted to renowned gang leaders to use as attack beasts during skirmishes with other Houses.

** Flamer weapons in the 1st and 2nd Editions of the game were useful as the player didn't have to have to roll to hit their opponent, and could hit multiple fighters with a single blast. On the downside however, the limited fuel capacity of flamer weapons meant the player had to make an ammo roll every time they were fired, meaning that there was a 50% chance of the weapon becoming useless after every use.

* CosmeticallyDifferentSides: In earlier editions of Necromunda, this is a possibility for the main ganger houses, your house determined the likelihood of the type of skill you got, but if the RandomNumberGod had been good to you, it's possible to have a Goliath gang as shooty and sneaky as Delaque with exactly the same hardware. In contrast, outlaw gangs like Spyrers and Ratskins had completely different rules and equipment lists. The 2nd Edition began to move away from this slightly with the addition of House specific weapon lists for starting gangs, while 3rd Edition continued this trend by giving the Clan House gangs more differentiation with access to unique equipment and weapons.

** 3rd Edition introduced Hangers-On, tradesmen who offer their services to gangs. Unlike Hired Guns, they do not normally take part in battles, except when the battle happens on the gang's turf and the Hanger-On is unfortunate enough to be caught in the fighting. They cannot gain experience or be given equipment, and will leave the gang if they suffer a Lasting Injury.

Although initially similarly short-lived, ''Necromunda'' enjoyed considerably more support than Games Workshop's other {{Gaiden Game}}s, featuring more prominently in their publicity, and in their ''Magazine/WhiteDwarf'' and (now defunct) ''Citadel Journal'' publications. It also had two ComicBook series based in ''Necromunda'': ''Kal Jerico'' (following the titular rogue) and ''ComicBook/TheRedeemer'' (following a Redemptionist in his crusade against heretics). However, it too eventually dropped off the radar, with one official expansion and a second edition, ''Necromunda: Underhive'', being produced. The game was eventually discontinued, along with the rest of the Specialist Games range, in the early 2000's. In April 2017 a new 40K GaidenGame, ''Shadow War: Armageddon'', was released based on the ''Necromunda'' ruleset. November 2017 saw the release of a 3rd Edition of the game, also called ''Necromunda: Underhive'', which includes the basic rules, that were expanded by a number of supplemental {{Sourcebook}}s, such as the ''Necromunda: Gang War'' series, ''Necromunda: The Book of Peril'', and ''Necromunda: The Book of Judgement'' that include campaign rules, extra gangs, hired guns and other advanced rules. An expanded hardback rulebook was also released in November 2018. The updated game has proven enduringly popular, and continued to get new rulebooks and expansions well into TheNewTwenties, most prominently a series devoted, at last, to the Ash Wastes between the hives and running adventures in that environment, complete with new gang types and the introduction of ''Necromunda''-scale vehicle rules (!!), with a focus on the land-trains that run between hives.

Although initially similarly short-lived, ''Necromunda'' enjoyed considerably more support than Games Workshop's other {{Gaiden Game}}s, featuring more prominently in their publicity, and in their ''Magazine/WhiteDwarf'' and (now defunct) ''Citadel Journal'' publications. It also had two ComicBook series based in ''Necromunda'': ''Kal Jerico'' (following the titular rogue) and ''ComicBook/TheRedeemer'' (following a Redemptionist in his crusade against heretics). However, it too eventually dropped off the radar, with one official expansion and a second edition, ''Necromunda: Underhive'', being produced. The game was eventually discontinued, along with the rest of the Specialist Games range, in the early 2000's. In April 2017 a new 40K GaidenGame, ''Shadow War: Armageddon'', was released based on the ''Necromunda'' ruleset. November 2017 saw the release of a 3rd Edition of the game, also called ''Necromunda: Underhive'', which includes the basic rules, that were expanded by a number of supplemental {{Sourcebook}}s, such as the ''Necromunda: Gang War'' series, ''Necromunda: The Book of Peril'', and ''Necromunda: The Book of Judgement'' that include campaign rules, extra gangs, hired guns and other advanced rules. An expanded hardback rulebook was also released in November 2018. The updated game has proven enduringly popular, and continued to get new rulebooks and expansions well into TheNewTwenties, most prominently a series devoted, at last, to the Ash Wastes between the hives and running adventures in that environment, complete with new gang types.

''Necromunda'' is one of several [[GaidenGame spinoffs]] of Creator/GamesWorkshop's ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'', and probably the most popular. Notable for functioning on a considerably smaller scale than its progenitor; it trades ''[=WH40K's=]'' large armies with dozens of models and accompanying vehicles for small gangs with an average of 6-12 models. The gameplay is based heavily on the 2nd Edition ''[=WH40k=]'' rules (updated for compatibility with 4th Edition and later); with some {{RPG}}-like mechanics added on. It also focuses on long-term campaigns and gang development, with gangs actually growing in size and ability with time and experience.

Although similarly short-lived, ''Necromunda'' enjoyed considerably more support than Games Workshop's other {{Gaiden Game}}s, featuring more prominently in their publicity, and in their ''Magazine/WhiteDwarf'' and (now defunct) ''Citadel Journal'' publications. It also had two ComicBook series based in ''Necromunda'': ''Kal Jerico'' (following the titular rogue) and ''ComicBook/TheRedeemer'' (following a Redemptionist in his crusade against heretics). However, it too eventually dropped off the radar, with one official expansion and a second edition, ''Necromunda: Underhive'', being produced. The game was eventually discontinued, along with the rest of the Specialist Games range, in the early 2000's. In April 2017 a new 40K GaidenGame, ''Shadow War: Armageddon'', was released based on the ''Necromunda'' ruleset. November 2017 saw the release of a 3rd Edition of the game, also called ''Necromunda: Underhive'', which includes the basic rules, that were expanded by a number of supplemental {{Sourcebook}}s, such as the ''Necromunda: Gang War'' series, ''Necromunda: The Book of Peril'', and ''Necromunda: The Book of Judgement'' that include campaign rules, extra gangs, hired guns and other advanced rules. An expanded hardback rulebook was also released in November 2018.

For the fantasy equivalent game see ''TabletopGame/{{Mordheim}}''.

* DisposableVagrant: The Spyrer hunters target the population of the underhive for their murderous RiteOfPassage as the s of the outlaws and gangs who reside in the dilapidated area won't adversely affect the industrial output of the manufacturing zones further up-hive, and because they [[HuntingTheMostDangerousGame pose the greatest challenge]].

* InSeriesNickname: The Luther Pattern Excavation Automata[[note]]introduced in the 3rd Edition supplement ''Necromunda: Gang War III''[[/note]] are a common sight on Necromunda, and are often called 'Ambots' in the underhive vernacular due to them being made from cybernetically modified ambulls.

* GaidenGame: Necromunda was the first ''Specialist Games'' released based on the 2nd Edition rules of ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' and was the second Gaiden Game to be rereleased after the re-establishment of Games Workshop's Specialist Games Department.

* DungeonBasedEconomy: The game is located in a hive city, a kilometers-tall spire continually built up, so lower levels are full of archeotech, advanced weaponry and [[ScavengerWorld valuable raw materials]] that locals dig for. These levels are also full of mutants, outcasts and giant spiders, as well as rival gangs after the same thing.
* {{Dystopia}}: The mid-levels of Hive Primus[[note]]known as Hive City in some background material[[/note]] is a wretched place consisting of massively overcrowded hab zones and heavily polluted manufactory zones where the population labour to produce goods and services for their Houses and the elite on the Spire. These levels are probably the ''safest'' part of the hive. The underhive is where those exiled from further up the hive go where even the safer districts, protected by vicious gangs loyal to the Clan Houses, are still places where life is nasty, brutish and short and law extends as far as a gun can shoot. Even further downhive, outlaws and mutants fight to the death over a few scraps of food and law has completely broken down. Oh, and the Spire? It's a DecadentCourt where the Noble Houses live off the wealth produced by the Clan Houses and cold-bloodedly murder each other for control of the hive, and they look on sending a small band of their kids down to the worst parts of the underhive as a [[HuntingTheMostDangerousGame rite of passage]].

* LayeredMetropolis: The hives of Necromunda have been built up over millennia in layers of hab domes upon hab domes until it reaches the upper atmosphere with the interior sections of a hive typically separated into loose sections inhabited by different social classes. The nobility live lives of luxury above the planet’s polluted cloud layer in what residents of Hive Primus simply call the Spire. The vast majority of a hive’s population live and work in the area bellow the Spire commonly known as Hive City, a polluted industrial sprawl of hab and manufactory zones where most of a hive’s production takes place. At the base of the hive is the underhive, a maze of ancient manufactory zones, ruined domes and millennia-old industrial waste where outcasts, ne’er-do-wells and the desperate congregate to harvest raw materials, search for [[LostTechnology archeotech]] or simply try to survive from day to day. At the very bottom of the underhive, the ruins of past domes become even more decayed and inhospitable, forming the area known as hive bottom where only the most hideous mutants and foul creatures can survive for any length of time.

* BlobMonster: The Icrotic slime is a transparent, fist-sized blob monster that feeds on the brain of living creatures. While feeding, the Icrotic slime releases chemicals into its victim's body that give them a highly euphoric feeling and boosts their physical abilities. The positive effects of being host to an Icrotic slime meant that, during 1st Edition, gang fighters could use Icrotic slimes as a highly dangerous combat drug, trusting their comrades to remove the slime before it could totally consume their brain.

** The hives of Necromunda are infamous for their giant spiders that can range in size from several feet across to larger than a man. Species include the long-legged wolf spiders, the stealthy orb spiders[[note]]both of which had rules for use in 1st Edition Arbitrated Campaigns[[/note]] and the amphibious sump spiders that have precious gems for eyes.

* RodentsOfUnusualSize: After giant spiders the most infamous species of animal life to inhabit Necromunda is the Necromundan giant rat, some of which have been reported to grow up to four feet long (not including the tail). The underhive in particular is rife these mutant vermin that the [[MagicalNativeAmerican native Ratskins]] hunt them for food and clothing.

* SpiritualSuccessor: The game ''Confrontation'' as serialised in ''Magazine/WhiteDwarf'', dealt with running underhive gangs in small scale skirmishes and what went on in the downtime between them. Exceedingly complex and terrifyingly lethal (roll up a gang in a few hours, have the first guy killed within a minute of starting to play) but interesting nonetheless. ''Necromunda'' vastly streamlined gameplay and fleshed out the background.

** The underhive is the most common destination for outlaws and mutants, making it a rich hunting ground for those wishing to make some credits bringing these degenerates to justice. Due to their skill and fighting powers Bounty Hunters have been a popular Hired Gun in every edition of the game, with 3rd Edition in particular including detailed rules for various types of Bounty Hunter as well as a number of named character Bounty Hunters.
** The May 2018 issue of ''Magazine/WhiteDwarf'' included exclusive rules for using Venator Bands for 3rd Edition. Venator Bands are elite gangs of Bounty Hunters who band together for protection, to track down the most lucrative bounties or for more esoteric and near-religious reasons. The rules for these gangs also include rules for including Bounty Hunters from specific Houses.
* BreakableWeapons: Due to the difficulty in maintaining complex mechanisms and the widespread use of homemade ammunition of dubious quality, it is not uncommon for the weapons used by inhabitants of the Underhive to suffer a catastrophic failure. The 1st and 2nd Edition rules represented this by forcing a player to make a second Ammo Roll if the first was failed on a roll of a 1. If this second roll also failed then the weapon exploded, destroying the weapon and causing a hit on the model carrying it.

** The 3rd Edition of the game introduced Brutes, large and powerful characters made for smashing through enemies but with little in the way of intelligence. This is represented in the game by most Brutes having high combat abilities but lower mental characteristics[[note]]the Van Saar House Brute has a good Intelligence as that is their [[GangOfHats hat]][[/note]].

** During the 1st and 2nd Editions of ''Necromunda'', fighters could gain experience for surviving and achieving objectives in each battle to gain increase in their level and earn skills or stat increases.

** Hired Guns, present in all editions of the game, are willing to fight for any gang willing to pay the price. Ranging including characters such as {{bounty hunter}}s, hive scum and [[PsychicPowers wyrds]], are powerful fighters with multiple skills and good equipment but, as they are not members of the gang, they cannot collect income, must be paid for every battle they fight in, don't earn experience, and their equipment cannot be changed.

* OneManArmy: Many trained military personnel from the parent game (with the exception of low-level basic troops like Imperial Guard soldiers or Eldar Guardians, who would be ''merely'' high-level elite troops) are able to decimate underhive gangs. The 1st Edition rules for [[SuperSoldier Space Marines]] and [[SpaceElves Eldar Scouts]] give them individual [[PowerLevels ratings]] around three times as high as that of a starting ganger.

* PoisonedWeapon:

* UnusableEnemyEquipment: The 3rd Edition of the game introduced various weapons and pieces of equipment that are particularly tied to a certain House. While such equipment is available to fighters from specific Houses through their House Equipment lists, many such weapons are unavailable at the campaign Trading Post so are unavailable to models from opposing Houses. In addition, the background material states that, even should they get their hands on equipment from opposing Houses, most fighters wouldn't even dream of using it for anything more than a BattleTrophy due to the risk of booby traps and the simple shame of using a weapon produced by an enemy.

* WithThisHerring: {{Averted|Trope}}. While in the main ''Warhammer 40,000'' game, the Imperial Guards' lasguns and flak armour are compare poorly to the equipment of other factions, it's usually because those other armies are immortal death machines, spore-based super warriors, or {{Sufficiently Advanced Alien}}s. The Imperial Guard still has ten thousand years of technology and the resources of the quadrillion strong Imperium of Man. Compared to them, the gangs of ''Necromunda'' are, well, slum dwellers. The general lack of armour or sophisticated weapons in the game's underhive setting makes even basic and improvised weapons like knives, big chunks of pipe, and ordinary pistols (aka "stub guns") reasonably effective. Lasguns are actually toward the high end of the effectiveness scale, and flak armour is elite gear. A single Space Marine or Genestealer would be a OneManArmy.

Although similarly short-lived, ''Necromunda'' enjoyed considerably more support than Games Workshop's other {{Gaiden Game}}s, featuring more prominently in their publicity, and in their ''Magazine/WhiteDwarf'' and (now defunct) ''Citadel Journal'' publications. It also had two ComicBook series based in ''Necromunda'' ''Kal Jerico'' (followin the titular rogue) and ''ComicBook/TheRedeemer'' (following a Redemptionist in his crusade against heretics). However, it too eventually dropped off the radar, with one official expansion and a second edition, ''Necromunda: Underhive'', being produced. The game was eventually discontinued, along with the rest of the Specialist Games range, in the early 2000's. In April 2017 a new 40K GaidenGame, ''Shadow War: Armageddon'', was released based on the ''Necromunda'' ruleset. November 2017 saw the release of a 3rd Edition of the game, also called ''Necromunda: Underhive'', which includes the basic rules, that were expanded by a number supplemental {{Sourcebook}}s, such as the ''Necromunda: Gang War'' series, ''Necromunda: The Book of Peril'', and ''Necromunda: The Book of Judgement'' that include campaign rules, extra gangs, hired guns and other advanced rules. An expanded hardback rulebook was also released in November 2018.

* {{Dystopia}}: The mid-levels of Hive Primus[[note]]known as Hive City in some background material[[/note]] is a wretched place consisting of massively overcrowded hab zones and heavily polluted manufactory zones where the population labour to produce goods and services for their Houses and the elite on the Spire. These levels are probably the ''safest'' part of the hive. The underhive is where those exiled from further up the hive go where even the safer districts, protected by vicious gangs loyal to the Clan Houses, are still places where life is nasty, brutish and short and law extends as far as a gun can shoot. Even further downhive, outlaws and mutants fight to the death over a few scraps of food and law has completely broken down. Oh, and the Spire? It's a DeadlyDecadentCourt where the Noble Houses live off the wealth produced by the Clan Houses and cold-bloodedly murder each other for control of the hive, and they look on sending a small band of their kids down to the worst parts of the underhive as a [[HuntingTheMostDangerousGame rite of passage]].

* MakeMeWannaShout: The Wyrd Minor Power Banshee Howl[[note]]from 1st Edition[[/note]] allowed the psyker to unleash a powerful scream that causes enemy fighters waiting for a shot to be knocked out of Overwatch[[note]]a state that allows them to fire at models moving through thir line of sight[[/note]] as they are buffeted by noise.