After weeks of painting, preparing, and watching countless battle reports, I finally took the plunge and played my first game of Necromunda at my local gaming group. I went in with my Goliath gang, facing off against a squad of Enforcers in a 1250-credit skirmish. Despite a mix of nerves and excitement, I was eager to finally see my Goliaths in action on the tabletop, even if I only had a basic grasp of the rules.
Setting the Stage
When I arrived, the battlefield setup was already underway, and I couldn’t help but feel like a kid in a candy shop. The terrain was incredible—most of it was repurposed from Infinity, but it fit perfectly for Necromunda’s gritty, dystopian vibe. Rusted walkways, dense cover spots, and towering buildings created a maze of sightlines. Seeing my newly painted Goliaths in this environment was a proud moment; all that time spent painting them really paid off.
As we set up, my opponent filled me in on some tips, guiding me through some of the setup processes and answering questions. Despite being a complete newbie, everyone was incredibly welcoming, making the experience even more enjoyable.
The Mission Roll – A Tough Start
Once the board was set, we rolled for our mission, and that’s when the challenge began. The mission turned out to be an attack-and-defend scenario. My Goliaths were tasked with getting up the battlefield to loot at least three out of five scattered loot crates. Meanwhile, the Enforcers’ goal was simple: stop me. They had every intention of holding their ground and doing whatever it took to block my Goliaths.
Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of Goliaths, I knew this mission would be a serious uphill battle. Goliaths are tough, slow, and not exactly built for running headlong into the fray to cover ground. They’re bruisers and brawlers, not sprinters. But with the mission in place, I decided to give it my best shot.
Deployment and First Moves
As I deployed my gang, I tried to think strategically, placing my heavy hitters and grenade launcher where they could deal the most damage. My idea was to push up on the right side of the board where cover was denser, giving my gang some protection as we moved up. The Enforcers, however, had a different plan. They set up in strong defensive positions, spreading out across the board with some units at higher elevations, perfectly positioned to pick off any approaching Goliaths.
As the game began, my Goliaths lumbered forward, attempting to get closer to the loot boxes. But each turn felt like moving through quicksand. The Enforcers unleashed round after round of gunfire, taking advantage of their range and positioning to slow my advance.
Boom! Blast! Ruin!
One of my proudest moments was watching my stimmer take his shot with the grenade launcher, aiming at a cluster of Enforcers tucked behind cover. The blast was loud, intense, and sent bits of the terrain flying (in my mind, at least). But to my frustration, the Enforcers managed to shrug off the attack, using their armor and shields to absorb the brunt of the damage. That shot could have made a huge impact, but they simply brushed it off, maintaining their stronghold on the battlefield.
My gangers tried to use every bit of cover available, but every time one of them got close, the Enforcers held their line and retaliated, slowly chipping away at my force. The Enforcers’ resilience and tactics were impressive, and I could see just how well they had prepared to counter my gang’s strengths.
A Brutal Conclusion
By the final rounds, my Goliath gang was in tatters. The Enforcers had skillfully held me off, wiping out my gangers one by one. I only managed to loot one box before my gang was completely depleted, which felt a little disheartening. I’d gone in knowing it would be tough, but seeing the game slip further from my control with each turn made it clear just how well-matched my opponent’s strategy was to the mission at hand.
Lessons Learned And Looking Forward
Even though I lost the game, I walked away with so much newfound knowledge. I learned a lot about Necromunda’s mechanics, like how the positioning of models and careful use of terrain can make or break a strategy. I also got a feel for my Goliaths’ special abilities and how to use their strengths to my advantage. The experience was invaluable, and I look forward to applying these lessons in future games.
Most importantly, I realized how much fun I had. Watching my gang march up the field, painted and ready to rumble, was thrilling. I’d spent hours painting and preparing them, and seeing them in action on the battlefield was rewarding—even if they didn’t come out on top.
It couldn’t have been more of an adventure for my first game. I walked away with a new appreciation for the game and an eagerness to jump back in for round two. Next time, I’ll be armed with a little more experience and maybe some tweaks to my gang’s tactics. Bring on the next mission—my Goliaths and I are ready for revenge!
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Tabletop gamer since a young age, Warhammer addict and experienced coffee drinker!