On Playing to Win
Here at Path to Glory, we tend to focus quite a bit on the competitive side of things, and that’s mostly because we enjoy the game at the highest level we can push it. Recently, we released an article that playfully categorized the different archetypes of Underworlds players, something meant to shine a light on the various ways people enjoy the game. It sparked some good discussion. But it also opened up some uncomfortable commentary that has been floating beneath the surface of our community for a while. So we felt it was worth digging a bit deeper.
This is not a callout. It is a reflection. And hopefully, a reminder of what makes this game special and why we should all work a little harder to respect the ways others engage with it.
The Frustration Loop
Let’s start with a simple truth: when balance gets a little rocky or updates come late, players get frustrated. That is understandable. No one enjoys seeing the same warband dominate every table, especially if it feels like it limits creativity or upends local metas.
But what is not okay is when that frustration stops targeting the tools and starts targeting the players.
We have noticed this a bit more lately. A strong warband rises to the top, someone wins with it, and suddenly the narrative shifts from “this warband needs a nerf” to “this player is tryharding” or “this person only cares about winning.” That kind of rhetoric, intentional or not, starts to erode the foundation of what makes the community great.
While we can accept that we are all human and that it is natural to direct frustration somewhere, blaming players for playing well within the rules of a competitive game is at best unfair, and at worst alienating.
No matter how someone chooses to play Underworlds, or any game for that matter, they deserve the freedom to enjoy it on their own terms. As we have said many times before, this game is a stress reliever for many of us. It is an outlet. A hobby. A passion. Let people enjoy things.
Competitive DNA
It is important to understand where this competitive streak comes from. For the majority of its lifespan, Warhammer Underworlds was marketed explicitly as the “ultimate competitive miniatures game”. That is not us editorializing. That is how it was sold. From its streamlined rule system and low model count to its structured deck building rules and organized play kits, the game was designed to encourage competition. So of course, it attracted players who wanted to test their limits, push the boundaries of efficiency, and chase mastery.
That branding did not just attract competitive players. It shaped how people learned to engage with the game. We built tournament metas. We analyzed deck efficiency. We studied activation economy, power turns, and sequencing. This was not exploitation. It was an exploration. And it was fun.
While that focus may be softening in newer marketing cycles, the game’s competitive identity is still present. And the people who love it for that reason are still here.
We are not saying all Underworlds players are focused on winning above all else. Far from it. Many players enjoy the narrative, the painting, the unconventional builds, the themed matchups, or just rolling dice with friends on a weeknight. That is wonderful. That is what makes this community diverse and vibrant. But a large group of players, especially those who travel, test, and refine their play, are here to compete. And that is just as valid.
The Role of the Competitive Player
In our recent Bacon’s Bits article, we talked about how different archetypes approach the game. One thing we emphasized then and still believe now is that competitive players serve an important function in the game’s ecosystem. They are the stress test. They are the scouts, or hunters if you will. They push warbands and cards to their limits, showing where balance thrives and where it falters.
More than that, they help shape the metagame. In doing so, they create a foundation for other players who enjoy off-meta strategies or creative approaches to find success against the established curve.
You want to run a strange control build? Great. Knowing what fast, aggressive decks look like helps you prepare for them. You want to bring an unexpected warband to a Grand Clash? You will have a better chance if you understand what you are likely to face.
None of that happens without competitive players. Without people who are willing to commit time, study interactions, and yes, bring strong decks to events.
And while Games Workshop may sometimes fall behind on balance updates, that does not mean players should have to hold back at events that are clearly designed for competitive play.
Expectations and Reality
Let us touch on something that matters: context.
If you are attending a casual local event, a teaching night, or a narrative session, it may be worth thinking twice about bringing the most dominant deck in the current season. That does not mean you cannot, but it is worth considering the type of experience people are expecting. Matching the tone of an event is a part of being a thoughtful member of the community.
But if you are attending a Grand Clash? A Worlds Qualifier? A US Open offering recognition or rewards?
Then bring your best. That is what those events are for.
No one should be surprised when a player uses the tools available to give themselves the best chance of success. That is not unsporting. That is the design of competition. Expecting others to hold back in a structured event is simply not realistic, and perhaps misunderstanding what those events are designed for.
These events are built on the idea that players will show up prepared to compete. Let us respect them for doing exactly that.
Balance in the Age of Second Edition
The second edition of Underworlds has made meaningful improvements. Balance is better for the most part. Updates seem like they may be arriving more quickly. Rules are clearer. Power levels, while not perfect, are closer together. We are seeing real progress.
But even with these improvements, something will always emerge as the best option. That is a natural part of games with asymmetrical design. Someone will find the most effective combination whether through testing, analysis, or instinct.
That is not bad design. That is how competitive games work.
And when those combinations are discovered, players should be free to use them, especially when they are aiming to meet competitive goals. What is not fair is blaming those players for using the strongest available options.
We should not ask others to make themselves weaker just to make us feel more comfortable.
Personal Touch Still Matters
All this said, we love this game not just for its competitive depth, but for its ability to let people express themselves.
There is joy in winning with a strong warband. There is also joy in trying something unexpected. There is joy in bringing a favorite faction and making it work through sheer determination, matchup knowledge, and clever play.
We respect the players who go deep on tech. We respect the players who bring old favorites. We respect the players who show up just to throw dice and have fun with their friends.
There is joy in building something thematic. There is joy in discovering something powerful. There is joy in surprising the room. They all matter.
You do not need to win to be valid. But if someone else finds joy in trying to win, we should not look down on them.
There is no one right way to play Underworlds. That’s part of what makes it special.
The Real Takeaway
We are not asking anyone to change how they enjoy the game. What we are asking is this: stop judging people for the way they choose to engage with it.
If someone wants to play to win, let them. If someone wants to innovate and surprise, encourage them. If someone wants to relax and play for the sheer heck of it, cheer them on.
Let us all find our joy in our own way.
Competitive players have shaped every meta since the game began. They’ve driven innovation, stress tested design, and built the foundation for balance discussions and errata. That contribution should be recognized, not criticized.
At the same time, we should continue to uplift creativity, style, and variety. We should continue to make space for all players, from first timers to grizzled veterans, from meta chasers to flavor fanatics.
The community is strongest when it celebrates that full spectrum because the best communities are the ones that make space for all types of players to feel welcome.
Conclusion: Respect the Grind, Respect the Game
What’s most disheartening about some of the recent conversation isn’t that players are trying to win, it’s that we’re treating that effort like it’s something to be ashamed of.
It is not.
Choosing to engage with a game at a deep level, to prepare, to think critically, and to compete is not something to look down on. It is something to respect.
We should not punish players for caring. We should not criticize people for doing their best within the rules of the game. We should not turn on each other when the real issue is a card, a ruling, or a delay in errata.
Let people play the way they want to play. Let people find joy where they find it. Whether someone plays for the podium, the paint, or the laughs, they deserve a place at the table.
Play how you like. Let others do the same.
Respect the grind. Respect the game.
And above all, remember why we are here: to enjoy the strange, beautiful, and challenging brilliance of Warhammer Underworlds, together.
— The Path to Glory Team
