Mordheim has a way of pulling people back in. It’s been 25 years since I last played—back when the game first came out in 1999. I was 15 years old, huddled around a table in Pukekohe with Andrew and Joshua, rolling dice and battling through the cursed streets of the ruined city. Now, at 40, I find myself stalking those same streets once more, this time at W.A.R.S. Malta, with a new warband and a fresh taste for Wyrdstone.
A Return to the City of the Damned
When the Mordheim campaign at W.A.R.S. kicked off, I knew I had to jump in. I dug through my collection and found an old metal warband—classic models that perfectly capture the grim, battered look of mercenaries scrabbling for survival in the ruins. After a few touch-ups, they were ready to go.
This time, I’m running an Averlander warband: Gunderhart’s Ironforged, a mix of grizzled veterans, fresh-faced recruits, and one particularly sneaky Halfling.
Warband Background: Gunderhart’s Ironforged
Averland is a land of proud mercenaries and battle-hardened soldiers, and Captain Karl Gunderhart is no exception. A veteran of countless border skirmishes and Orc raids, he has led his men through fire and steel. Now, his ambition drives him into Mordheim, a cursed city filled with both danger and opportunity.
At his side is Sergeant Englebrand von Averhof, a no-nonsense warrior who enforces discipline with an iron fist. Together, they keep their ragtag band of soldiers in line—though not all members of the Ironforged are typical sellswords.
Among them is Falco Farefoot, a Halfling scout with an uncanny knack for uncovering hidden treasure. His cheerful demeanor hides a keen mind, always looking for the next opportunity to line his pockets with Wyrdstone.
Then there’s Reinbrand von Herhaf, a young noble eager to make a name for himself. As the son of a wealthy Averland trading family, he sees Mordheim as his proving ground—a place to carve out his own legend, separate from his family’s shadow.
Together, they press into the city, driven by the promise of gold, glory, and the ever-present risk of death.
First Battles and Hard Lessons
We managed to get in two games before the Christmas slowdown, and I quickly remembered one thing about Mordheim: it’s ruthless.
The first match was a brutal introduction. Bad dice, poor positioning, and the general chaos of the city saw my warband take a beating. I scraped together some Wyrdstone, but at a cost—this game punishes mistakes harshly, and I was definitely rusty.
The second game went better. I started to find my rhythm, using cover more effectively and making better movement choices. Falco the Halfling proved his worth, slipping through the rubble to snag loot before the enemy could react. Reinbrand even managed to land a few decisive blows, proving he’s more than just a noble playing at being a warrior.
Winter Slowdown & Hopes for 2025
Unfortunately, the campaign slowed down over the holidays, and I had to take a break due to travel to New Zealand. But even now that I’m back, winter brings another challenge—getting to Floriana for games isn’t as easy as it sounds. The fast ferry between Gozo and Malta is often cancelled due to rough seas, making it difficult to plan trips reliably.
With better weather on the horizon, I’m hopeful that more games will happen, and I’ll be able to get across when it’s convenient. The next steps? Expanding the warband, upgrading gear, and—if the dice favor me—avoiding any serious injuries.
Mordheim Never Dies
It’s surreal to think that I first played Mordheim a quarter of a century ago, at an age when I barely understood how long 25 years actually was. Yet here I am, back in the ruined city, rolling dice and watching my warband claw its way to victory (or disaster).
Mordheim might be an old game, but it refuses to die, and the W.A.R.S. Malta campaign is proving that the magic is still there. Whether through sheer grit, Halfling cunning, or some Averland steel, Gunderhart’s Ironforged will either carve their names into legend—or be just another pile of corpses in the ruins.
Either way, it’s good to be back in the City of the Damned.