D&D Onslaught vs Warhammer Underworlds: Which Skirmish Game Should You Choose?

Quick answer

Choose D&D Onslaught if you want a self-contained, scenario-driven skirmish game that plays like a tactical board game with no list-building homework. Choose Warhammer Underworlds if you enjoy deck construction, card-driven warbands, and a competitive scene that rewards repeated play. Both are excellent, but they ask different things from your time and budget.

Skirmish games sit in a sweet spot: fewer models than a full wargame, more tactical depth than a typical board game. D&D Onslaught and Warhammer Underworlds both occupy that space, yet they pull in different directions. One leans into cooperative and competitive scenario play with pre-built warbands; the other is a card-and-dice duel where deckbuilding is half the battle.

This comparison breaks down how each game actually plays at the table, what you need to buy to start, and where each one falls short. If you are deciding between them, the right answer depends less on which is 'better' and more on how you like to spend your hobby time.

How D&D Onslaught plays

D&D Onslaught is a miniatures skirmish game set in the D&D universe. You command a warband of iconic heroes and monsters, moving them across a gridded or measured battlefield to complete scenario objectives. The core box includes everything you need for two players: miniatures, dice, tokens, and scenario cards. There is no deckbuilding requirement, so you can open the box and start playing.

The game emphasizes positioning, action economy, and scenario goals rather than list optimization. That makes it approachable for players coming from board games or RPGs. The trade-off is that competitive depth comes from mastering scenarios and faction synergies rather than from constructing a unique deck or list.

• If you want to start playing within 20 minutes of opening the box, Onslaught is the faster on-ramp.

How Warhammer Underworlds plays

Warhammer Underworlds is a competitive skirmish game played on a hexagonal board with small warbands of 3–7 fighters. Each player brings a deck of power cards and objective cards. You win by scoring objectives, not just by killing enemies. Deckbuilding is central: your choice of cards defines your strategy as much as your warband does.

The game has a rotating format and regular warband releases, so there is always a new deck to build. That keeps the meta fresh but also means ongoing investment if you want to stay competitive. The trade-off is a higher ceiling for creative play in exchange for more prep time and a steeper learning curve.

• If you enjoy tuning a deck between sessions, Underworlds rewards that effort more than Onslaught does.

Setup, play time, and space

Onslaught typically plays in 60–90 minutes on a 2x2 or 3x3 play area, depending on the scenario. Setup involves placing terrain and objective markers, then deploying your warband. Because warbands are pre-assembled and cards are fixed, you spend less time on pre-game decisions.

Underworlds plays in 30–45 minutes on a smaller board. Setup is quick, but deckbuilding happens before you sit down. If you like a tight, fast match with a meta-game outside the match, Underworlds fits. If you prefer a longer, scenario-driven session where the game itself provides the narrative, Onslaught is the better fit.

• Underworlds is easier to fit into a weeknight; Onslaught feels more like an event.

Miniatures and hobby crossover

Both games use unpainted miniatures, but the hobby expectations differ. Onslaught miniatures are push-fit and designed for quick assembly; you can play with them unpainted without issue. Underworlds warbands are also push-fit, but the competitive scene often expects painted models, and the small model count makes painting each one a project.

If you already paint D&D miniatures, you can apply those skills here. For example, D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures come primed and ready to paint, which makes them a natural companion for practicing techniques you might use on Onslaught or Underworlds warbands. The same goes for premium pre-painted figures if you want table-ready models without the brushwork.

• If you want to test a paint scheme before committing to a warband, practice on a single Nolzur's figure first.

Cost and ongoing investment

Onslaught's core box gives you a complete two-player game. Expansions add new warbands and scenarios, but you can enjoy the base game for a long time without buying more. There is no rotating format, so your models stay valid.

Underworlds requires a core set plus warband packs and card packs to stay current. The entry cost is similar, but the ongoing cost is higher if you want to keep up with the meta. The trade-off is that Underworlds offers more frequent releases and a living competitive scene, while Onslaught is more of a closed, expandable board game.

• Set a budget before you start Underworlds; it is easy to buy every new warband.

Which one fits your group?

If your group mostly plays board games and wants a self-contained tactical experience, Onslaught will get to the table more often. If your group enjoys card games, deckbuilding, and tournament-style play, Underworlds is the stronger choice. Neither is a solo game, so consider whether you have a regular opponent.

You can also use miniatures from either game in RPGs. D&D Icons of the Realms Premium Figures are pre-painted and ready for the table, so they work well as NPCs or monsters in a campaign. That flexibility is worth noting if you want your skirmish models to do double duty.

• If you already own D&D miniatures, Onslaught integrates more naturally with your existing collection.

Trade-offs at a glance

• Prep time: Onslaught: open the box and play. Underworlds: build a deck before you play. Choose Onslaught if you want zero homework; choose Underworlds if deckbuilding is part of the fun.
• Ongoing cost: Onslaught expansions are optional. Underworlds releases new warbands and cards regularly, and the competitive scene expects you to keep up. Underworlds has a higher long-term cost if you want to stay current.
• Competitive depth: Onslaught rewards scenario mastery and faction synergy. Underworlds rewards deck optimization and meta knowledge. If you like tournaments, Underworlds offers a more active competitive structure.
• Hobby crossover: Both use unpainted miniatures. Onslaught is playable unpainted; Underworlds often expects painted warbands at events. If you already paint D&D miniatures, you are set for either.

Products that support either path

• D&D Icons of the Realms Premium Figures: Female Dwarf Wizard: Each Dungeons & Dragons Premium Figure comes with a highly detailed figure that is beautifully pre-painted to complement the unique details of the miniatures. The packaging displays these gorgeous miniatures in a clear and visible format, so customers know exactly what they are getting. If you want a table-ready character without painting, this pre-painted figure works for RPGs and can stand in as a warband leader in casual skirmish games.
• D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures: Marid: Dungeons & Dragons Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures come with highly-detailed figures, primed and ready to paint out of the box. These fantastic miniatures include deep cuts for easier painting. The packaging displays these miniatures in a clear and visible format, so customers know exactly what they are getting. A low-cost way to practice painting before you commit to a full skirmish warband, and the deep cuts make details easier to pick out.
• Tournament at Avalon: An all-new standalone companion game for the acclaimed Tournament at Camelot! Tournament at Avalon takes players to the land where Excalibur was forged, building on the innovative mechanics of the original with new characters, cards, and mechanics, allowing players to focus on informal diplomacy or alliances alongside the standard combat of the original game. If your group enjoys card-driven conflict and diplomacy, this is a lighter alternative to a full skirmish game and a good palate cleanser between campaigns.

Which should you choose?

Best for

• Board gamers who want a self-contained tactical skirmish game with no deckbuilding
• D&D players who want to use their existing miniatures in a competitive skirmish context
• Groups that prefer scenario-driven play and longer sessions

Not for

• Players who want a living, rotating competitive scene with frequent releases
• Hobbyists who enjoy deckbuilding as much as moving models
• Those who prefer fast 30-minute matches over 90-minute scenarios

Both D&D Onslaught and Warhammer Underworlds are strong skirmish games, but they serve different appetites. Onslaught is the better pick for board-game nights and D&D fans who want a complete, expandable box. Underworlds is the better pick for competitive card-and-dice players who enjoy tuning a deck between matches. Pick the one that matches your group's prep tolerance and budget, and you will get more games in.