Undaunted Board Game and Expansion Buying Guide

When Undaunted: Normandy hit the shelves in 2019, it became an instant classic. This deck-building game combines the thrill of upgrading a modest starting deck into a powerful engine with the tactical depth of a squad-level war board game. Its brilliance lies in seamlessly blending these mechanics, allowing players to use soldier cards to maneuver and engage with units on a modular board, while officer cards enhance your deck and focus your strategy on specific squads. This synergy creates a compelling blend of strategic deck-building and tactical combat simulation, where officers play a crucial role in boosting morale and shaping squad dynamics.

The success of Undaunted: Normandy has spurred a series of games that expand on this core system, exploring diverse settings and varying levels of complexity, even venturing into space with a sci-fi variant. The Undaunted franchise has established itself as a premier choice for board game enthusiasts, and this buying guide aims to help you choose the perfect title from its extensive lineup.

Undaunted: Normandy

Best for: Those seeking the most straightforward and quick-playing version, comfortable with a military theme.

The initial game in the series is set in the aftermath of the Normandy invasion during World War II. It's the most accessible of the series, focusing solely on infantry units and featuring quick-to-play maps. While perfect for casual gamers, the game can become repetitive if you play through all scenarios. It also offers a strong historical focus, which may appeal to some but could be off-putting to others.

Undaunted: North Africa

Best for: Players eager to include vehicles in their wargames or those who enjoy a more cinematic experience.

Responding to fan demand, this sequel introduces vehicles like armored cars and tanks, which, while managed with the same card mechanics, add new rules for anti-armor and small arms combat. The setting shifts to the North African theater, and the scale changes to individual combatants, offering a more action-packed, film-like atmosphere, especially with the inclusion of the Long Range Desert Group, the precursor to the British SAS.

Undaunted: Reinforcements

Best for: Dedicated fans and those looking to play Normandy or North Africa solo.

This expansion caters to the desire for solo play with an innovative AI system tailored to each scenario in the first two games. It also introduces new units and scenarios, alongside a larger box for storing both original games. However, it's primarily suited for those already invested in the series and interested in solo gaming.

Undaunted: Stalingrad

Best for: Players ready to engage in repeated sessions for the ultimate Undaunted experience.

Stalingrad enhances the series with a branching campaign, narrative elements, and the impact of scenario outcomes on subsequent games. Soldiers gain experience or suffer injuries, and the city becomes increasingly destroyed, affecting gameplay. This game, which earned a perfect score in our Undaunted: Stalingrad review, adds a rich strategic layer and a compelling story, but requires a commitment to multiple plays to fully appreciate.

Undaunted: Battle of Britain

Best for: Veterans of the series looking for a fresh twist on familiar mechanics.

This game shifts the action to aerial combat, retaining the core deck-building system but adapting unit movement to reflect aircraft dynamics. Players must strategize around unit facing and movement, creating dogfight-like scenarios. While the deck-building doesn't fit the theme as seamlessly as in ground-based games, it remains an exciting and unique addition to the series.

Undaunted 2200: Callisto

Best for: Those who enjoy the game's mechanics but prefer a non-historical, non-military theme.

Responding to requests for a less militaristic theme, this sci-fi version transports players to space. As highlighted in our Undaunted 2200 review, it successfully captures the essence of the series while introducing enhancements like vehicle piloting, greater faction asymmetry, and varied scenarios. It's an excellent choice for those deterred by the military focus of earlier games and a standout title in the series, second only to Stalingrad.

Undaunted Promo Scenarios

Fans of the series should note that additional scenarios have been released in magazines and at conventions over the years. Most of these are available for free download on the publisher's website, offering more content to explore and enjoy.