Want to get into tabletop games, but a full army for Warhammer 40,000 scares you off with the sheer number of models, time, and money involved? Then skirmish — a game played with just a small handful of models — is exactly what you're looking for. And in the Warhammer world, two names stand out: Kill Team and Necromunda. In both, you play with a small group of miniatures, both are deep, and both will pull you in — just each in a completely different way.
We'll explain the difference between the two games without wargaming jargon, show you who each one suits, and help you decide which one to start with. No prior Warhammer knowledge assumed.
So what exactly is a "skirmish" game?
Skirmish is a type of tabletop game where, instead of a whole army, you control just a small group of individual fighters — typically 6 to 12 models. Each model is an individual character with their own name, abilities, and gear, not an anonymous soldier in a massive battle.
For a beginner, this brings three huge advantages: fewer models to build and paint (you can get your first game going in a weekend, not a month), a lower entry cost (one box instead of dozens), and a faster game (a match takes an hour or two, not an entire afternoon). That makes skirmish an ideal gateway into the whole tabletop wargaming hobby.
Kill Team and Necromunda — two different worlds
Both games share the Warhammer 40,000 universe, but their approach to play is different enough that they ultimately appeal to different types of players. Here's a basic rundown:
- ✓ Fast to get started — everything in one box
- ✓ Balanced, competitively minded rules
- ✓ A match takes roughly 1–2 hours
- ✓ Team rules free to download
- ✓ Easy to find opponents (larger player base)
- ✗ Less "story" carried between games
- ✗ Teams get rotated out over time by tournaments
- ✓ Deep campaign — your gang grows and develops
- ✓ Fighters carry injuries and experience with them
- ✓ Maximum room for kitbashing and customization
- ✓ Atmosphere closer to a tabletop RPG
- ✗ More complex rules, spread across more books
- ✗ Needs a stable group of players for the campaign
- ✗ Slower to get into
Kill Team — the tactical firefight of elite squads
In Kill Team, you command a small team of elite operatives — space marines, xenos warriors, Imperial agents — on a mission behind enemy lines. The game plays out on a dense board packed with terrain, where every move counts and cover is a matter of life and death.
The current edition of Kill Team (3rd edition, introduced with the Hivestorm box in 2024) is polished and well-balanced — the game is fast, tactical, and designed to be easy to learn but hard to master perfectly. A match consists of four rounds called Turning Points, each split into a strategy phase and a firefight phase. Players take turns activating their operatives until everyone has used up their actions.
What makes Kill Team great for beginners is its emphasis on fair, balanced play. Games Workshop keeps updating the game with balance patches, and the rules for every team are available as a free download online. You start a game, wrap it up in an hour or two, and either keep going or try a different team — with no need for a long-term commitment.
Necromunda — gangs, campaign, and story
Necromunda takes you deep into the bowels of the planet Necromunda, into the maze of an underground world called the Underhive, where gangs fight each other for territory, resources, and survival. You play one of these gangs in a city with a population of around a billion, on an unforgiving planet.
The key difference from Kill Team is Necromunda's campaign-driven nature. This isn't a one-evening game — it's the long-running story of your gang. You play campaign missions against other players, gain new weapons and territory, but you also risk permanently losing fighters — though some survive with injuries, amputations, or bionic replacements. Between games, your fighters gain experience, improve, and pick up scars as well as new abilities.
The detailed lore and level of customization make Necromunda an experience that often feels closer to a tabletop RPG than a tactical skirmish game. If you love building a story, forming a bond with your models, and the feeling that every game matters to your long-term progress — Necromunda is unbeatable.
Head-to-head — what's different
| Property | Kill Team | Necromunda |
|---|---|---|
| Style of play | Tactical firefight, balanced competition | Campaign, story, gang development |
| Match length | ~1–2 hours | ~2+ hours, plus campaign management |
| Progression between games | Minimal — each game stands alone | Central — the gang keeps growing and changing |
| Rules complexity | Medium, clearly structured | Higher, spread across several books |
| Entry investment | One box = complete start | Rules + gang + terrain = built up gradually |
| Ideal group | Anyone, even random opponents | A stable group for a campaign |
| Model customization | More limited, fixed teams | Maximum — kitbashing encouraged |
| Atmosphere | Action-driven military operation | Gritty underworld RPG |
What the two games have in common
Before you decide, it's worth knowing that both games share a number of strengths that make them a great entry point into Warhammer skirmish gaming:
Few models
Both games need just a handful of miniatures — typically 6 to 12. You'll build and paint them in a fraction of the time a full army would take.
Lower cost than full 40k
The entry investment is significantly smaller than for a full Warhammer 40,000 army. You start with one box and expand gradually from there.
Focus on individual characters
In both games, every model has its own identity and role. It's not an anonymous mass — it's your team, your heroes.
The rich world of Warhammer 40k
Both games draw on the same dark sci-fi universe full of factions, lore, and atmosphere. You're stepping into a world you'll probably never fully run out of to explore.
How to get started — what to buy
Starting with Kill Team
The simplest, fastest way into skirmish gamingKill Team: Starter Set
Designed specifically for beginners — walks you through the rules step by step. Includes models, terrain, and everything you need. The ideal first purchase if you're starting completely from scratch.
Kill Team: Core Book
The complete rules for the game — a good fit if you just want the rules without models, or already own some models. Rules for individual teams are also available free online.
Starting with Necromunda
A deeper entry point for players craving campaign and storyNecromunda: Rulebook
Necromunda's core rules — includes an overview of the Hive cities, history, and factions. The heart of the whole game, and the foundation everything else builds on.
A gang of your choice (House)
Pick one of the gangs — each House has its own style, lore, and rules. Start with a single gang and build it up gradually through the campaign.
Gang Tactics Cards
Tactics cards for your gang make the game easier to run and add depth. A practical add-on once your campaign gets going.
So which one should you pick?
There's no universally "better" game — it depends on what kind of player you are and what you want out of the hobby. Here's a simple signpost:
Choose Kill Team if...
You want to start playing quickly with minimal prep. You enjoy a tactical challenge and fair, balanced competition. You don't have a guaranteed steady group for a long campaign. You want a game for one evening. You're planning to move on to full Warhammer 40,000 later.
Choose Necromunda if...
You have a group of friends for a long-term campaign. You love story, character development, and the feeling that every game matters. You enjoy kitbashing and customization. You don't mind more complex rules in exchange for depth.
Still not sure?
For a complete beginner with no tabletop gaming experience, Kill Team is usually the easier starting point — faster, simpler, everything in one box. You can always add Necromunda later, once you're ready for a deep, complex campaign.
Why not both?
Plenty of players play both games — Kill Team for quick evenings and tournaments, Necromunda for long-term campaigns with a group. They're not competitors, but two different experiences drawn from the same world.
Summary — Kill Team vs Necromunda
- Kill Team = a fast, balanced tactical firefight. An evening's game, easy to start, ideal for beginners.
- Necromunda = a deep campaign game built around gang development. Story, customization, RPG atmosphere.
- For complete beginners, Kill Team is usually the easier starting point — everything in one box, a simpler entry.
- Necromunda rewards players with a steady group and an appetite for building a long-term story.
- Both games need just a handful of models — cheaper and faster than full Warhammer 40,000.
- Your choice isn't set in stone — plenty of players play both, depending on mood and situation.
- Not sure? Drop by our shop — we're happy to help in person, based on what you're looking for in a game.
Kill Team, Necromunda, and other skirmish games — starter sets, rules, gangs, and teams are all available at our shop in Plzeň at Zbrojnická 116/2, open Mon–Fri 1pm–6pm. We're happy to help you find the game that's right for you.
obchod@coloursofwarriors.com · +420 737 281 727