When old-school Games Workshop fans get together, they often remark on how different the original skirmish game, Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader, is from the current edition of the game. The old game was messy but filled with atmosphere and detail, allowing individual models to have their own stories. That old-style game didn’t really go away; it (sort of) became Necromunda, a highly addictive miniatures skirmish game with its own lore, story and fan base, set in the world of Warhammer 40,000.
Necromunda is a game about warring gangs in a futuristic nightmare dystopia. Different factions fight for power in a setting that mixes elements of Judge Dredd, Mad Max, Cyberpunk 2077, and Warhammer 40,000. Set in a world ruined by industry, much of the action takes place in the hive city of Palatine, aka Hive Primus, a massive spire that breaches the atmosphere. Players build gangs who compete against each other for resources and equipment, and various books and models expand a growing narrative of struggle and betrayal.
Necromunda: Hive Secundus is the latest boxed set addition to Necromunda, which at this point has multiple ways to get into, from picking up the heavy-looking rulebook to simply excellent Hive War starter set. Hive Secundus works as an entry point, but it’s also an expansion to the world of Necromunda, as it moves the action to the tragic Hive Secundus, the world’s formerly second largest Hive city, once known for its culture and technological miracles. Alas, an infestation of mind-altering, society-infiltrating aliens called genestealers put an end to its glory, and it’s now a massive hole in the ground, cordoned off from the rest of the world. Only the mad, greedy or desperate would go there, though it is still filled with incredible treasures.
We get two factions in the box: Malstrain Genestealers and Tek Hunters. The former are freaky multi-limbed aliens, spore-like creepers and their warped human brood. Genestealers can also be found in the core 40K game, but these creatures are more emaciated and mutated than the usual horrors. The unique look spreads across the range, the spore-like Malstrain Tyramites look sickly and ethereal, and the brood scum come with lots of modelling options for you to play with. The vibe is very much ‘ant-like monsters infected with fungus’, and they look amazing.
On the other side, we have Orrus Spyre Hunters and Van Saar Tek Hunters. Basically, two heavily armoured characters, covered in gadgets, and a cadre of well-equipped thugs to back them up. The Orrus are especially fun, looking like a power-armoured nightmare straight out of a cyberpunk novel. They all have a vague ‘techno-insect’ vibe to them, with plenty of modelling options. We also get a Caryatid, a freaky flying baby creature that is one of the design choices that makes Warhammer 40K and Necromunda so interesting.
None of these models are particularly recommended for new players, however. The payoff for having lots of detail and modelling options is that they can be overwhelming to assemble. The smaller models are quite fiddly, and though they’re all fun to paint, you’ll want plenty of light and decent lenses for all that fine details. The set comes with detailed bases for all the models, which is a nice touch.
The components are fairly good, though this set has paper maps instead of board. This isn’t a huge deal; most wargamers have terrain, and if you’ve been playing Necromunda for a while, you have something more robust, though Games Workshop will sell you a full ‘Ruined Zone Mortalis’ kit if you need it. We get unique dice, rather than the cheap white dice common to Games Workshop sets, and it’s the sort of little touch that makes this box feel worth a look. The cards, templates and the like are all very well done, and the game is well laid out; all the components make the game easier to play.
The STARBURST Secret Gaming Thunderdome’s copy of Necromunda: Hive Secundus came to us courtesy via Games Workshop, and it’s become a solid addition to our gaming rotation. Necromunda campaigns usually require some scheduling and commitment, but because this game comes with its own in-built campaign, it’s seen a fair bit of use. It’s a tight, claustrophobic series of scenarios, with the tek hunters delving into the monster’s lair to steal treasure whilst the genestealers and their brood do their best to dominate or kill the hunters. It’s the closest thing you’re going to get to a reboot of Space Hulk/Advanced Space Crusade, and honestly, if this sentence excites you, you absolutely should get this box. Heck, get two.
There’s a lot to love with Necromunda: Hive Secundus, from the body horror to the artwork and the gorgeous models. If you already play Necromunda, you should get this. If you’re looking to get into Necromunda, this should be your second purchase after the Hive War box.
