Warhammer Quest: Darkwater – The Dungeon Crawler You’ve Waiting For?

Alright, gather ‘round, fellow wanderers and tabletop tacticians. Games Workshop has delivered a new dungeon called Warhammer Quest: Darkwater! This crawler has a grim, dark future… or in this case, a grim, dark fantasy that will flood the world of Warhammer Quest.

What’s the Big Deal with Darkwater?

In this granddaddy gaming world of dungeon crawlers, you and up to three friends can take on the roles of mismatched heroes, delve into perilous dungeons, and try to make it out alive with pockets full of loot and a good story to tell. It’s a formula that has captivated gamers for decades, and Darkwater is the latest attempt to bottle that lightning.

The story starts with evil brewing in the ruins of the Jade Abbey. A daemonic baddie named Gelgus Pust, a loyal servant of the Chaos God Nurgle, Lord of Plagues, is trying to poison a magical fountain called the Everspring. This fountain is the source of life for the surrounding lands, and Gelgus wants to turn it into a bubbling cesspool of filth (and we’re talking 18th-century London’s sewers level of filth, y’all.)

Standing in his way is a ragtag group of…heroes? The official description calls them an “ill-matched band of heroes and sellswords,” which is code for “prepare for some hilarious and disastrous party dynamics.” It’s up to these unlikely champions to hack and slash their way through a corrupted landscape, take down Gelgus, and save the day… hopefully.

Check Out the Loot!

• 7 Unique Heroes: A diverse cast of characters ready to take on the forces of Chaos.
• 37 Nasty Enemies: A horde of grotesque minions loyal to Nurgle, just waiting to be dispatched.
• 4 Treasure Tokens: It’s not a dungeon crawl without some sweet reward at the end?

Games Workshop knows its audience, and they’ve packed this box to the brim. Darkwater comes with 49 push-fit miniatures. For those new to the hobby, “push-fit” means you can assemble them without glue, a godsend for those who’ve accidentally glued their fingers together. Model glue is no joke, people.

The game is designed for 1-4 players, making it a great fit for solo adventurers or a full game night with friends. With an estimated playtime of 45 minutes per session, it seems Games Workshop is aiming for a “leaner, meaner” experience. This is a welcome change from some of the sprawling, multi-hour dungeon crawls out there that require you to book a long weekend for just a single scenario.

Is This Crawler Worth Your Hard-Earned Cash?

So, the $255 question is this: Is this set worth the money and pre-order? The price tag is steep; however, the value proposition is strong. You’re getting a truckload of high-quality miniatures that can be used in other expansions, a full cooperative board game experience, and the promise of a streamlined, action-packed adventure. Looks like Games Workshop learned from the past and is making an effort to make this game accessible and fun to get to the table.

Final Thoughts: Tread This Quest If You Dare

For veteran fans, this is a must-buy. For newcomers curious about the world of dungeon crawlers, Warhammer: Darkwater could be a great, if pricey, entry point. It promises all the thematic depth of this fantastic universe without draining your hours. If you are interested, hop on over to pre-order the set before it’s too late. These Quest boxes have a history of selling out really fast.