Types of gangs
Without a doubt the most important part of putting together a gang is choosing what type of gang you want to play. Each one of the gangs in Necromunda has a different look and style. These differences are not limited to appearance though, each type gang needs to be played in its own way. If you try to use a gang that specializes in shooting the way you would a hand to hand gang you probably won't do very well. You will want to choose a gang that reflects how you intend to play. I will give a brief summary about each gang later.
While how a gang plays is of vital importance we can't over look another rather obvious fact, Necromunda is a miniatures game! As a miniatures game it is assumed that you will be collecting and hopefully painting the miniatures for your gang. Citadel Miniatures makes some of the best miniatures on the planet and their line of miniatures for Necromunda is in my humble opinion thier best. So since you will be painting them I suggest finding a gang that you like. I like every single gang, but the Scavvy gang is my personal favorite (I have a soft spot for mutants).
So then, when considering which gang to play you will want to factor in three things...
1) What gang's concept and background appeal most to you?
2) What miniatures do you like and want to collect?
3) What gangs have a style of play that matches your own?
Keeping these things in mind you should read the background information about Necromunda from the Sourcebook, examine the pictures of the various miniatures, and look at the skills available to each gang. To help you decide I have written a short summary on each of the gangs.
Before going any further let me bring up just one not-so-small point. While the advances earned by your gang members are random you can to some extent control how your gang evolves. When a gang member gets a new skill you can choose which table to have him roll for the skill on. This lets you choose skill tables that will hopefully complement any other advances the gang member may have. Also if you notice that your gang is weak in some area then you can start having members roll on a table that will hopefully counteract the weakness. For example, if you find your Van Saar gang losing in hand to hand a lot, then try rolling some of their next few skills off the Combat table.
The Gangs...
Cawdor
Cawdor gangs are primarily hand to hand fighters, though they can use rifles and other long range type weapons without any problems. Its just that besides the occasional increase in Ballistics Skill Cawdor gangers will never excel at shooting. An experienced Cawdor gang bearing down upon you is difficult to stop.
Delaque
Delaque gangs are not only versatile but also good shots. They have a powerful combination of abilities that let them take the best possible advantage of the battlefield. Delaque gangs use their superior maneuverability to outflank their enemies and then destroy them with a devastating hail of shots.
Escher
Escher gangs are versatile like Delaque gangs but instead of shooting their foes Eschers like to take the fight to them. Skills from Agility and Stealth add up to Escher gangers often seizing the initiative in a game from their opponents. Escher gangs want to engage the enemy in melee just as much as Goliaths do, its the finesse with which they achieve this that sets them apart.
Goliath
Goliath gangs are every bit as brutal and savage as the miniatures themselves. Few fighters will charge an experienced Goliath ganger unless of course the alternative is being charged by that ganger. Goliath gangs often have to take a few hits while they close with their enemy. Once in hand to hand even a few Goliaths can inflict enough casualties to send there enemies fleeing home.
Orlock
Some would say that the Orlocks are a generic gang. The truth is Orlock gangs are not confined to just one style of fighting. Some Orlock gangs specialize in shooting while others are fearsome in hand to hand, the most frightening are the ones that can do both.
Van Saar
Van Saar gangs stand apart from all other gangs. For no other gang can compare with the technical ability of the Van Saar. Van Saar use their technical expertise to strengthen and enrich themselves in numerous ways. Most distinctive is their mastery of their weapons. Van Saar marksman are known for pouring fire down from above upon their opponents.
Outlander Gangs...
Pitslaves
Pitslave gangs are unmatched in their ability to cause damage in hand to hand. They lack much anything in the way of real long ranged firepower but more than make up for it in close combat.
Ratskin Renegades
Ratskins are as hardy and tenacious as the hive rats whos pelts they wear. Ratskins knowledge of the underhive gives them many advantages, the hardships which nearly every other gang must contend with are nothing to them. The most aggravating thing about Ratskins is that while you can hurt them, they almost always bounce back.
Redemptionists
(Gotta think on this one, should be up soon.)
Scavvies
Scavvy gangs sweep out of the wastes attacking anything in there way. One thing about Scavvies is that there are a lot of them in a gang! Scavvies are bad shots and will run if they encounter to much resistance. They tend to make up for these short comings through a number of means. Not the least of which is the deplorable habit of sending hoards of plague zombies against their enemies.
Spyre Hunters
Spyre Hunter gangs are tough, well armed and well armored. The single most powerful individuals in the underhive are Spyres, they have to be, since their numbers are so few. Each type of Spyre Hunter specializes in a different type of fighting. Spyre gangs have to be very careful, since a single casualty is not only a heavy blow to their gang but also an irreplaceable one.
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