"Undaunted: Ultimate Guide to Buying the Board Game and Expansions"

When Undaunted: Normandy hit the shelves in 2019, it was an instant smash hit. This game brilliantly combines the mechanics of a deck-building game with a squad-level tactical war board game. In deck-building games, you begin with a modest deck of less powerful cards, which you enhance and refine throughout the game, eventually building a much stronger and more effective deck. In Undaunted: Normandy, you use soldier cards to move and engage with units on a modular board, aiming to achieve scenario-specific objectives. Meanwhile, officer cards allow you to fine-tune your deck, focusing on specific squads, adding a strategic depth to the gameplay. This fusion of deck-building and tactical war simulation creates an engaging experience that feels like a streamlined yet realistic portrayal of combat, where officers play a crucial role in boosting squad morale and composition.

The success of Undaunted: Normandy has inspired a series of games that utilize its innovative system, spanning various settings and complexity levels, even venturing into outer space with a sci-fi variant. The Undaunted franchise offers a rich selection of games, and this buying guide is designed to help you choose the title that best suits your gaming preferences.

Undaunted: Normandy

### Undaunted: Normandy

0See it at AmazonBest for: Those seeking the simplest, fastest version who are comfortable with a military theme.

The inaugural game in the series is set in the days following the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. As the most accessible entry in the series, it focuses solely on different types of infantry units and features a limited set of quick-playing maps. This simplicity makes it ideal for casual play, though it may feel repetitive if you aim to play through all the included scenarios. It also boasts the most historically accurate theme among the series, aside from Undaunted: Stalingrad, which may appeal to military history enthusiasts but could be off-putting to others.

Undaunted: North Africa

### Undaunted: North Africa

0See it at AmazonBest for: Players interested in incorporating vehicles into their wargames or those who enjoy a more cinematic experience.

Responding to fan demand, Undaunted: North Africa introduces vehicles such as armored cars and small tanks, adding a new layer of strategy. While these vehicles operate under the same card-play mechanics, they require additional rules to distinguish between anti-armor and small arms fire. The setting shifts to the North African theater, with the game scale zooming in on individual combatants rather than squads, creating a more action-packed and cinematic feel. Featuring the Long Range Desert Group, the precursor to Britain's SAS, enhances this cinematic atmosphere.

Undaunted: Reinforcements

### Undaunted: Reinforcements

0See it at AmazonBest for: Dedicated fans and gamers interested in solo play of Normandy or North Africa.

Undaunted: Reinforcements addresses the desire for solo play, which was challenging with the original games' initiative bidding system. This expansion introduces sophisticated AI routines tailored for each scenario in both Normandy and North Africa, enabling engaging solo gameplay. Additionally, it offers new units and scenarios for these games, along with an expanded storage box for both titles. However, this expansion is best suited for hardcore fans who own the first two games and are keen on solo play.

Undaunted: Stalingrad

### Undaunted: Stalingrad

0See it at AmazonBest for: Players willing to invest in multiple playthroughs for an optimal Undaunted experience.

Undaunted: Stalingrad elevates the series with a branching campaign that integrates narrative elements, where the outcomes of each scenario impact subsequent games. Soldiers gain experience or sustain injuries, and the city deteriorates, providing cover and opportunities for fortification. This game retains the beloved features of its predecessors while introducing a new strategic layer and an unfolding story, earning a perfect 10/10 in our Undaunted: Stalingrad review. However, to fully enjoy it, players must commit to repeated plays.

Undaunted: Battle of Britain

### Undaunted: Battle of Britain

0See it at AmazonBest for: Veterans of the Undaunted series seeking a fresh twist on familiar mechanics.

In a bold departure, Undaunted: Battle of Britain shifts the action to aerial combat. While the core deck-building mechanics remain intact, the behavior of units on the board adapts to reflect the dynamics of flight. Planes must move each turn and have a facing, requiring careful planning to set up effective maneuvers. Although the deck-building theme fits less seamlessly with aerial combat, the game still delivers thrilling gameplay and a novel experience within the franchise.

Undaunted 2200: Callisto

### Undaunted 2200: Callisto

0See it at AmazonBest for: Gamers who enjoy the action and strategy but prefer to avoid the historical military theme.

Responding to requests for a non-historical version, Undaunted 2200: Callisto transports the game to outer space, delivering a sci-fi experience that retains the best aspects of the franchise. It introduces vehicle piloting, greater asymmetry between factions, and a more diverse range of scenarios. As highlighted in our Undaunted 2200 review, it's an excellent alternative for those deterred by the military theme, and even for those indifferent to the theme, it's mechanically the best in the series after Stalingrad.

Undaunted Promo Scenarios

Fans of the series can explore additional scenarios released over time in magazines and at conventions. Most of these are now available to download for free on the publisher's website, offering even more content to enrich your gaming experience.