Tabletop GamingOK, I’ll admit it, I was wrong about Warhammer Underworlds: EmbergardWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Tabletop GamingOK, I’ll admit it, I was wrong about Warhammer Underworlds: EmbergardWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Benjamin Abbott)
To be honest with you, I misjudged Warhammer Underworlds: Embergard.
As it turns out, a lot.
(Image credit: Benjamin Abbott)
Then I saw the turn sequence. Good lord.
In comparison to Embergard, the old version is… well, it’s a bit overwhelming. The yes/no table you follow to work out what you should do next is tangled with reaction steps and surges and inspiration, for example. The new edition? It drops all that for something much more beginner-friendly.
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Although this may not sound like much of a change, it’s more significant than you’d think. For starters, it streamlines the flow of the game where new players are concerned. Rather than worrying about ifs, buts, and maybes before they even need to, beginners can tackle the basics without distraction. It also treats players as grown-ups, in a way; it trusts them to keep track of their team’s surges or inspire triggers and act when needed. I love this in particular. Why make things more complicated than they need to be?
(Image credit: Benjamin Abbott)
Secondly, and it pains me to say: I spoke too soon when decrying the loss of illustrations on decks. I adore the old, painterly style and still miss it, but the model photography looks slick as hell in person. It doesn’t feel like a half-hearted alternative as I’d feared, and crucially, they don’t seem to reuse existing pictures. These are bespoke images with handsome scenery and lighting that can still bring the atmosphere when needed.
Basically? I was wrong, and have been turned round on Embergard. It’s not all sunshine and roses, of course (those models aren’t the easiest to construct, and it winds me up that there still isn’t a solution for all those loose tokens that’ll float around the box), and I’ll be back with a full review soon. But until then, I think this makes a good game even better.
Want to get into the game for less? There should be some good offers coming our way this month as part of November’sBlack Friday Warhammer deals. Until then, why not try something new with these essentialboard games for adults?
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