"Undaunted: Essential Tips for Buying the Board Game and Expansions"

When Undaunted: Normandy hit the shelves in 2019, it became an instant sensation. As a deck-building game, it starts players with a modest deck of weaker cards that can be upgraded and refined during gameplay, evolving into a formidable and reliable strategy. The brilliance of Undaunted: Normandy lies in its seamless integration of these deck-building mechanics with a squad-level tactical war board game.

Featured in this article

### Undaunted: Normandy

0See it at Amazon### Undaunted: North Africa

0See it at Amazon### Undaunted: Reinforcements

0See it at Amazon### Undaunted: Stalingrad

0See it at Amazon### Undaunted: Battle of Britain

0See it at Amazon### Undaunted 2200: Callisto

0See it at AmazonSoldier cards enable you to maneuver and attack with corresponding units on the modular board, aiming to achieve specific scenario objectives. Meanwhile, officer cards refine your deck, allowing you to focus on particular squads. This fusion creates a harmonious blend of strategic deck construction, tactical board maneuvers, and a straightforward combat simulation where officers enhance the morale and composition of their squads.

The success of Undaunted: Normandy has spawned a series of games that utilize the same foundational system, expanding into diverse settings and complexity levels, even venturing into outer space with a sci-fi twist. The Undaunted franchise is renowned for its excellence, and this buying guide is designed to help you select the perfect title from its extensive lineup.

Undaunted: Normandy

### Undaunted: Normandy

0See it at AmazonBest for: Those seeking the simplest, quickest version without aversion to a military theme.

The inaugural game in the series is set in the immediate aftermath of the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. While none of the games in the series are particularly complex, Undaunted: Normandy is the most accessible, focusing solely on various types of infantry units and featuring a limited set of fast-playing maps. This makes it ideal for casual play, though it might feel repetitive for those wanting to tackle all the scenarios in the box. Its historical accuracy, second only to Undaunted: Stalingrad, might appeal to those interested in the military aspect of the series, yet it could be off-putting for some.

Undaunted: North Africa

### Undaunted: North Africa

0See it at AmazonBest for: Players desiring vehicles in their wargames or who enjoy cinematic action.

Responding to fan demand for vehicles, Undaunted: North Africa introduces armored cars and small tanks. While governed by the same straightforward card play as all units, these vehicles necessitate additional rules to differentiate between anti-armor and small arms fire. Shifting the setting to the North African theater, the game also scales down from squad-level to individual combatants, creating a more dynamic, cinematic experience. Featuring the Long Range Desert Group, the precursor to Britain's famous SAS, adds to the game's thrilling atmosphere.

Undaunted: Reinforcements

### Undaunted: Reinforcements

0See it at AmazonBest for: Dedicated fans and players interested in solo gameplay for Normandy or North Africa.

Many military game enthusiasts enjoy solo play, even if it means controlling both sides. Undaunted: Reinforcements addresses this by introducing sophisticated yet effective AI routines that enable challenging solo board game experiences. Each scenario in both original games comes with unique routines tailored to each unit, ensuring a robust automated opponent. The expansion also includes new units and scenarios for both Normandy and North Africa, as well as an expanded box for storing both titles. However, these features primarily cater to hardcore fans who own both original games and are keen on solo play.

Undaunted: Stalingrad

### Undaunted: Stalingrad

0See it at AmazonBest for: Players willing to commit to repeated plays for the ultimate Undaunted experience.

While the first two games offered a loose campaign mode, Undaunted: Stalingrad elevates this with a branching campaign featuring narrative elements, where the outcomes of each scenario impact the next. Soldiers gain experience or carry injuries, and the city itself is gradually destroyed, providing cover and fortification opportunities. This results in an outstanding game, earning a 10/10 in our Undaunted: Stalingrad review for retaining the best elements of the original games while adding strategic depth and a compelling story. However, to fully enjoy it, players must commit to multiple games.

Undaunted: Battle of Britain

### Undaunted: Battle of Britain

0See it at AmazonBest for: Undaunted veterans looking for a fresh take on familiar mechanics.

A significant departure from the infantry combat typical of most Undaunted games, Battle of Britain shifts the action to aerial warfare. While the core deck-building mechanics remain the same, unit behavior on the board changes to reflect the dynamics of flying aircraft. Units now have a facing and must move each time their card is played, necessitating careful planning to set up traps akin to real dogfights. Although deck construction doesn't fit the theme as well as ground combat, the game remains thrilling and feels refreshingly different within the franchise.

Undaunted 2200: Callisto

### Undaunted 2200: Callisto

0See it at AmazonBest for: Players seeking action and strategy without the historical military theme.

Following the success of the original game, demand grew for a version without the historical military context. Undaunted 2200: Callisto answers this by setting the game in outer space. As our Undaunted 2200 review highlighted, it captures the essence of the franchise while introducing improvements. Featuring vehicles, greater asymmetry between factions, and a diverse set of scenarios, it's an excellent alternative for those put off by the military theme. Mechanically, it ranks as one of the best in the series, second only to Stalingrad.

Undaunted Promo Scenarios

Fans of the series will be pleased to know that additional scenarios have been published in magazines and distributed at conventions since its release. The publisher has made most of these available to download for free on its website, providing ample opportunities for extended play.