Due for release in October 2017, Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire is the ultimate competitive miniatures game — a fast-paced game of arena combat for 2-4 players set in the world of Warhammer Age of Sigmar.

The core box set for Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire contains two double-sided game boards, two sets of Citadel push-fit miniatures, and three decks of cards, as well as gaming tokens and custom gameplay dice, which enables a full 2-player gaming experience straight out of the box (3 or 4 player games require a second core set). The miniatures (Stormcast Eternals Liberators and Khorne Bloodreavers) are pre-colored red and blue, and despite their dynamic posing, require no glue and are quick and easy to assemble.

This brand-new, standalone board game is designed for balanced, small-scale tactical games that can be played quickly and easily by anyone. The game rules are designed with competitive play in mind, so they’re easy to learn, whilst being difficult to master, even for experienced players. Each game consists of three rounds, with each round lasting under 15-minutes. As games are played on the boards, they take less space than miniature games usually do (and require no scenery) and, thus, are ideal for in-store club and tournament play. Expansions and organized play support are already in design and scheduled for early release.

Winning the game requires glory points, which are earned by eliminating your opponents and achieving objectives. Glory points can also be spent, allowing you to play fiendish tricks or outstanding feats of heroics. A game is played between two, three, or four players, and each brings a game board of their choice to the table. The boards are printed with hexes, so no need for tape measures or other measuring instruments, and are designed to make set-up both easy and precise. Indeed, which board (and which side of that board) you select is a tactical choice, as the variations allow a bold player to choose and place their board with their heroes close to the enemy, whereas a more cautious player can keep their warband back, close to objectives and defended by obstacles.

The game is played using specific dice and card decks, and these will, to an extent, be unique to each faction (which is known as a ‘warband’). The D6 dice come in both attack and defense forms, making them simple to use, but allowing numerous combinations with the individual characters and cards available in the game. The decks consist of two types of cards, the first being objectives and range from holding specific areas, through completing various tasks or engaging attacks. The second deck is made up of powers, upgrades, and cunning ruses that can take effect during the game, such as allowing you to swap positions of fighters or upgrading attacks.

Both decks of cards are fully customizable, meaning you can choose to create all manner of combinations of overlapping abilities to use and objectives to achieve. This is a rewarding aspect of Shadespire and means that even the same faction can be played in wildly different ways. We are expecting to see all sorts of combinations tried out at game stores, clubs, and in tournaments. The combination of the deck-construction mechanics and multiple factions makes this a game that will be simple to learn, but offers near limitless tactical challenge and replayability. Upon opening the box, you get two pre-constructed decks to make the first game run smoothly, and a third deck which contains a mix of new cards with more tactical options to try out after the initial game.

Over the coming months, there will be expansions, which will allow players to expand their card decks, making them even more customizable and tactical. Each expansion will include miniatures, of course, but also faction and non-faction cards that any warband can use to try new combinations.

Mere weeks after Shadespire’s release in November, the new Deathrattle Sepulchral Guard will enter the field of battle! This warband plays in a unique way. With numbers on their side against most opponents, they lack the furious damage output of the Bloodbound, or the resilience of the Stormcast Eternals. Instead, this Deathrattle force favors a player with a measured, strategic approach to battle. They have plenty of tricks up their ragged sleeves to tip a combat in their favor, chief among them being the Sepulchral Warden’s ability to inspire and bolster the other warriors around him.

Made in Great Britain to the highest standards you’ve come to expect from the world’s leading miniature games company, this exciting, fast-paced, tactical game launches October 21st.