Overview
Warhammer Underworlds: Nightvault is the second core box in Games Workshop's competitive skirmish miniatures game, moving the setting from the shattered arena of Shadespire into the eerie, ever-shifting vaults of the Mirrored City's underbelly. Inside the box you'll find two complete warbands rendered in the studio's signature high-detail plastic kits: the Farstriders, a trio of stoic Stormcast Eternals and their loyal Aetherwing griffon, and the Chosen Axes, a warband of Kharadron Overlords duardin bristling with grudges and gunpowder. Each miniature is a small showcase piece in its own right, sculpted with crisp panel lines, dynamic poses, and enough texture and ornamentation to reward careful painters who want to push contrast paints, edge highlighting, or weathering techniques on a manageable, single-figure scale rather than a full army.
Beyond the models, the box is built around Nightvault's revised card-driven ruleset, which layers deckbuilding strategy onto tabletop tactics. Players construct decks from objective, gambit, and upgrade cards, then guide their warband across a modular board of hexagonal tiles representing the treacherous vaults, jockeying for glory points through clever positioning, ambushes, and combo plays rather than sheer attrition. The included rulebook, warband cards, and double-sided boards give everything needed to play straight out of the box, while the game's tight, roughly half-hour matches make it a favorite for players who want the tactical depth of Warhammer without committing to painting and transporting a full army.
For hobbyists specifically, Nightvault sits in a sweet spot: the models are few enough per warband to finish quickly, yet detailed enough to practice advanced techniques like non-metallic metal effects, glowing runic accents, or freehand heraldry. Because each warband is thematically cohesive and self-contained, painters often use these kits as portfolio pieces or as a low-commitment way to experiment with new color schemes before applying them to larger armies. Collectors also value Nightvault as a snapshot of the game's early card and miniature design, and the box remains a popular entry point for newcomers drawn in by the fusion of strategic card play, competitive tabletop combat, and the satisfying craft of assembling and painting Games Workshop's miniatures.
Key features
- 01Core box set with two rival warbands (Steelheart's Champions and Garrek's Reavers)
- 02Miniature-based competitive skirmish card and dice game
- 03Deck-building objective and power card system
- 04Hex-based fighting arena game board
- 05Push-fit multi-part plastic miniatures
- 06Includes attack/defense dice, gauges, and tokens for measuring
Specifications
| Player Count | 2 players |
|---|---|
| Average Playtime | 30-45 minutes |
| Miniature Count | 8 push-fit miniatures |
| Material | Polystyrene plastic components |
| Recommended Age | 12+ years |
Pros & cons
What we liked
- High-quality push-fit miniatures great for painting practice
- Fast-paced games typically last 30-45 minutes
- Deep tactical deck-building layer beyond just miniature combat
- Great entry point into competitive tabletop gaming
- Compatible with wider Warhammer Underworlds card pool
- Excellent value bundling two full warbands and terrain board
What could be better
- Nightvault season cards being phased out of organized play support
- Push-fit models still benefit from glue and paint for durability
- Learning curve for new players unfamiliar with deck-building mechanics
- Some components (cardboard tokens) feel flimsy compared to plastic pieces
- Secondary market prices fluctuate since it's an older, discontinued set
Hobbyist notes
Feedback from painters and players who use it.
Perfect blend of painting and strategy
Bought this mainly for the miniatures but got hooked on the card game mechanics too. The Steelheart's Champions models are gorgeous to paint and the games themselves are quick enough to fit in a lunch break.
Great value, dated support
Two full warbands, a board, dice, and cards for one box is great value. Only downside is that Nightvault season decks aren't tournament legal anymore, so you'll want to supplement with newer expansions if you want competitive play.
Solid intro to Underworlds
This was my first Underworlds set and it taught me the ropes well. The push-fit models are surprisingly detailed. Just be prepared to invest in glue and paint if you want them looking their best.
Fantastic hobby project
Even ignoring the game aspect, these are some of the best push-fit sculpts I've painted. Garrek's Reavers have great character and dynamic poses that make for a fun weekend painting project.
Our verdict
Very good for learning a new game system
Warhammer Underworlds: Nightvault remains a fantastic gateway into competitive miniature gaming, combining sculpted push-fit models with a surprisingly deep card-based combat system. While official tournament support has moved on to newer seasons, the core box still offers excellent painting practice, quick tactical matches, and strong replay value for hobbyists and casual competitive players alike.
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