JAKTP: For anyone who doesn’t know: what is Hive Secundus? How does this compare to other Necromunda boxes?
Fowler: Secundus is a self-contained box that pits a Spyrer and Van Saar gangers against Malstrain Genestealers, in the dank and crowded corridors of the “Underhells”. The box contains a campaign for two players – one is the arbitrator (think game master) and plays as the Malstrain: genetically engineered Tyranid horrors that have lost their connection to the hive mind. The other player controls a powerful Spyrer Orrus and their delegation of tech hunting Van Saar gangers.
JAKTP: What are the draws that would pull someone in to try Necromunda for the first time?
Fowler: Necromunda is a fantastic excuse to do elaborate kitbashing, or build a mountain of terrain, or create a much deeper narrative than your typical GW game. There’s some wonderful goofiness and chaos inherent to the game: gangers running around on fire, failed charges, jammed guns, and so many other strange happenings.
JAKTP: Travis has been playing Mordheim for the last few months, and has enjoyed it. However Necromunda has a bevy of stats that he’s got no clue about. What would Fowler’s take on this new box be for Necro-curious players? Good starting point, or play a normal gang?
Fowler: My forever advice for someone starting Necro is that your first gang should be from one of the houses: Goliath, Escher, Orlock, Delaque, Cawdor, or Van Saar. That said, if a more experienced player is taking the role of the Malstrain, a new player might find the Spyrer and Tek Hunters an engaging way to interact with the rules for the first time.
JAKTP: For people curious about necro with this new release, what is the best way to get into the game? Is it fun at home with 1 other friend, or do you really want a lead judge/to/etc?
Fowler: If you can find a copy of the extremely out of print Underhive box, that is still potentially the best first buy. You get the iconic Goliath & Escher gangs, cardboard zone mortalis tiles, barricades, and tokens. The book is out of date, but it is the most complete product with the least painting required for the play space. The Hive War box is another great start – pitting Escher and Delaque. In this case, you get some plastic ZM walls (and not that many of them), so making a good battlefield may require some hobby work and other purchases.
While an arbitrator running a large Necro group is probably the best way to experience it, I have heard plenty of people talk about having a fantastic time playing a forever campaign against their one buddy.
JAKTP: From looking at the rules, are the Spyre gangs going to be the boogey men of old that 4chan taught me of?
Fowler: The big scary thing about Spyrers in 2024 is that they get two activations per turn. As in, two sets of two actions. The Orrus also has some pretty terrifying guns.
The flipside? Your average ganger in modern Necro is much better armed than they were in the classic version. GW have stated that Spyrers are balanced to be about as strong as a gang champ, and if you run right out into the middle of main street with them, they will inevitably get mulched like everyone else.
JAKTP: I’ve seen some of your work at the past two Goonhammer Opens, does the flatter 2d necromunda scratch the same itch?
Fowler: I enjoy 3d play and vehicle combat in Necro, but it adds a whole lot of complexity. Zone Mortalis is a nice change of pace. That said, “Zone Mortalis” does not need to be completely 2d. The terrain can be built to have a small amount of verticality to it – which maintains the claustrophobic atmosphere, but adds some variety. It also creates a nice potential terrain project.
JAKTP: How big of a departure is secundus from the standard necromunda experience as an experienced player?
Fowler: After a bit of increasing complexity (especially with Ash Wastes rules) Secundus is sort of “coming home” in many ways. It’s set in Zone Mortalis – like the 2017 Underhive box. The box campaign is made for two players
JAKTP: We’ve not had a lot of experience with forgeworld resin, with necro using it so often do you have any thoughts or advice for players curious about this?
Fowler: Forgeworld resin is mostly fine. I would highly recommend: washing resin models in warm water and soap before you paint them, wearing a respirator or other protective mask if you are sanding, and using the Matte Varnish trick from this Vince Venturella video if you find mold slips or gaps after priming.
