How to play Necromunda: the new edition, gangs and campaigns

Necromunda is Games Workshop’s gang warfare game, set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Each player leads a gang of a dozen or so fighters through the underhive, the toxic, rusting depths of a vast city, fighting rival gangs over territory and loot. Its heart is the campaign: between games your fighters earn experience, pick up injuries, buy new weapons and grow into characters with their own stories.

The current edition is Necromunda Skirmish, released in August 2026. To start, you need one gang, the Core Rulebook and the right Gang book, and the core set gives two people all of that in one box. After a few practice games, joining a club campaign is the best way to play. Our Necromunda page lists the clubs and shops running campaigns near you.

See venues that play it on our Necromunda page.

The Necromunda Skirmish core set

Pre-orders for the core set opened on 1 August 2026 and it went on general sale on 15 August, with an RRP of £98. Inside are:

• Two new gangs: the Escher Blades of the Matriarch and the Goliath Forge Smelters, eight plastic models each, with bases
• The full Core Rulebook, plus a starter guide with assembly instructions
• Card decks of Core Gang Tactics and Campaign Scenarios
• Zone Mortalis Ruined Factoria Pipes terrain
• 54 condition and status markers, a folding range ruler, templates and dice
• A double-sided paper gaming mat

Games Workshop describes the new rules as bringing together years of updates into a cleaner, more intuitive system, with quicker play and less looking things up.

Choosing a gang

The six great houses each have their own style:

• Cawdor: zealous scavengers who fight in large numbers
• Delaque: spies and infiltrators
• Escher: fast, agile fighters with chem and needle weapons
• Goliath: huge, tough brawlers
• Orlock: hard-bitten gunfighters
• Van Saar: technologists with advanced weapons

Each house has an Underhive Crew box with around 16 to 20 models from existing kits, plus a weapons and upgrades set, which makes an easy way to start a new gang. Two Gang books hold the rules for every gang. Gangs of the Underhive covers the six houses along with Palanite Enforcers, Venator Gangs and Corpse Grinder Cults. Gangs of the Outlands covers gangs such as Genestealer Cults, Ironhead Squat Prospectors and Ash Waste Nomads.

Already own Necromunda models? All existing miniatures work in the new edition, so you only need the Core Rulebook and your Gang book.

How a game works

Building your gang

You recruit your gang from a starting budget of credits. A gang is led by a Leader, backed by Champions, Gangers and Prospects, and you can add Brutes and Hangers-on too, as long as they don’t outnumber the rest of the gang. In the new edition, every Ganger chooses one of eight specialisations, such as Gunner, Scout or Medic, which gives them a free starting skill. Each fighter carries weapons and equipment from your gang’s list or bought from the Trading Post.

Fighter profiles

Every fighter has a profile with stats for Movement, Weapon Skill, Ballistic Skill, Strength, Toughness, Wounds, Initiative, Attacks and Save, plus Leadership, Cool, Willpower and Intelligence. You roll six-sided dice against these numbers to hit, wound and save. In the new edition every fighter has a Save stat built into their profile, which cover and equipment improve.

A battle

A scenario sets the objectives, and you can draw one from the Campaign Scenario cards. Fighters move, shoot, fight in close combat and complete objectives, and close combat is now fought in Initiative order. When a gang takes heavy losses, it makes a bottle check against the highest Leadership on the field to see whether it keeps fighting.

Your first games will be slow while you look things up. The starter guide in the core set eases you in, and experienced players are used to helping newcomers.

Campaigns and the Arbitrator

How a campaign runs

Necromunda shines as a campaign: a series of linked games, played over weeks or months, in which gangs fight over territories. Each territory has a boon, such as extra income, and some change the battlefield when they are at stake. After each battle, the new edition gives every fighter something to do, whether recovering from injuries, working a territory or training for extra experience. Your gang earns credits to spend on new recruits and gear, and gradually develops its own story.

The Arbitrator

Every campaign has an Arbitrator, the person who runs it. The Arbitrator sets the schedule, tracks results and territories, settles rules questions and keeps the campaign fair and fun. At a club this is often an experienced player who volunteers. A good Arbitrator will explain how the campaign works before it starts and help new players build their first gang.

Campaigns usually begin with new gangs, so the start of a campaign is the easiest moment to join.

Playing Necromunda in the UK

Necromunda is mostly played at clubs and independent shops, often on a specialist games night or a regular campaign evening. Official Warhammer stores are a good place for advice and help painting your first gang, while their tables are mainly kept for demos rather than open play.

Some good places to start are London, Sheffield and Manchester, and the London events calendar shows what is on each week. Across the Necromunda nights we list, 6pm is the most common start, and entry is free or a few pounds. Each venue’s listing has its own details.

Tell the organiser or Arbitrator you are new. Many groups will lend you a gang for a practice game or talk you through your first roster.

Painting and terrain

Unpainted gangs are usually welcome while you learn, though some campaigns ask for painted models, so check first. Necromunda looks best on busy, multi-level terrain, and clubs usually provide the tables and scenery.

Table etiquette

• Agree the scenario and any campaign rules before you start.
• Share your gang roster so your opponent knows what each fighter carries.
• Roll openly and measure in front of your opponent.
• Record results straight away and pass them to the Arbitrator.
• Be a good sport. Campaigns run on goodwill, and a friendly rival makes the story better.

Your first game checklist

• Pick a house and build your gang, or play with the two gangs from the core set.
• Read the starter guide, and bring the Core Rulebook and your Gang book.
• Find a club or campaign on our Necromunda page. Tap “Remind me” for an email the day before.
• Contact the venue to check the night is running and when the next campaign starts.
• Bring your gang, your roster, dice, a tape measure or range ruler, and any markers.
• Arrive a little early and tell the organiser it is your first game.
• Ask questions whenever a rule is unclear, and enjoy watching your gang’s story unfold.

New to Warhammer? Our guide to getting into Warhammer covers tools and paints. For more small games, see how to play Kill Team and how to play Blood Bowl.

Common questions

What is the newest edition of Necromunda?

Necromunda Skirmish, released by Games Workshop on 15 August 2026 after pre-orders opened on 1 August. Its core set contains two new eight-model gangs, House Escher and House Goliath, with the full Core Rulebook, cards, markers, terrain and a gaming mat.

Can I use my old Necromunda models in the new edition?

Yes. Games Workshop says all existing miniatures are fully compatible. You need the new Core Rulebook and the Gang book that covers your gang, either Gangs of the Underhive or Gangs of the Outlands.

What is an Arbitrator in Necromunda?

The Arbitrator is the person who runs a campaign. They set the schedule, keep track of results and territories, and settle rules questions, acting as referee and record keeper in one. At a club, this is often a regular who volunteers.

Is Necromunda good for beginners?

Yes, especially in the new edition, which Games Workshop describes as cleaner and quicker to play. You only need one gang of around a dozen models, and the core set includes a starter guide that eases you into the rules.

Which Necromunda gang should I start with?

Pick the house whose look and style you enjoy most. The six great houses are Cawdor, Delaque, Escher, Goliath, Orlock and Van Saar, and each has an Underhive Crew box designed as an easy way to start a new gang.