Mordheim: City of the Damned - Witch Hunters is a strategy RPG expansion that introduces a new playable warband to the turn-based tactical battles set in the ruined city of Mordheim. Players command a band of Sigmarite zealots tasked with purging corruption, mutants, witches, and daemonic threats through precise positioning, skill management, and resource decisions across skirmishes and a dedicated campaign.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around assembling and advancing a warband of seven distinct unit types, each with unique starting weapons, perks, and skills that shape combat effectiveness. Battles unfold in a grid-based, turn-based system where offense points limit actions per round, encouraging careful planning around movement, attacks, dodges, and special abilities. Magic resistance plays a key role for the Witch Hunters, with built-in bonuses that counter spell-heavy opponents while their own divine spells provide utility like poison removal, fear immunity, and area debuffs.
Progression emphasizes customization through perks such as Sigmar's Aegis for the Captain or Fanaticism for Flagellants, alongside skills that trigger on conditions like successful dodges or incoming damage. Units gain experience to unlock further options, but some like Flagellants cannot access certain talents, forcing reliance on their raw fanaticism. Melee-focused units benefit from abilities that boost damage on follow-up attacks or stack resistance when outnumbered, while ranged options like crossbow pistols allow flexible engagement. The campaign integrates these mechanics with narrative elements centered on High Capitular Wilhelm Krieger, presenting missions that test the warband against the city's sinister forces.
Game Modes
Skirmish encounters form the backbone of competitive play, allowing players to pit their Witch Hunters warband against others in standalone battles that highlight tactical matchups and unit synergies. The fully playable campaign mode delivers a structured single-player experience with unique Dramatis Personae encounters and progression tied to the warband's holy crusade through Mordheim. Custom warband building supports experimentation with the seven unit types, from resilient Templar Knights who refuse to disengage to Executioners who apply fire effects on melee strikes.
Multiplayer options extend the skirmish format, enabling head-to-head matches where the Witch Hunters' mix of pistols, great weapons, and prayer-based spells can be tested against rival factions. These modes emphasize the warband's identity as remorseless enforcers of Sigmar's will, with abilities like Pyre of the Righteous providing temporary buffs to nearby allies or Vengeance stacking damage output after taking hits.
The Witch Hunters Warband
Seven unit types define the faction's identity. The Witch Hunter Captain leads with crossbow pistols or sword, benefiting from high magic resistance and a counter-attack discount after dodging. Flagellants charge in with great flails, immune to fear and terror but unable to gain certain talents. Standard Witch Hunters wield pistols and swords, gaining a damage boost on the next melee action after striking. Zealots pair spear and sword for vengeful retaliation that increases melee output after receiving damage.
Warrior Priests bring hammer and shield along with access to Sigmar's Prayers, starting with Immaculate Flesh for poison cleansing and resistance gains, plus skills that improve spell chances after melee hits. Templar Knights offer sword and shield with unbreakable resolve in melee and resistance bonuses when surrounded. Executioners deliver heavy blows with great axes, igniting foes on attack and placing protective effigies that aid allies while remaining tireless in prolonged fights.
Is It Worth Playing?
Players seeking a deliberate, unit-focused strategy experience with strong thematic ties to Warhammer Fantasy will find the Witch Hunters expansion delivers targeted depth through its specialized units and campaign. The faction's emphasis on magic resistance, divine spells, and relentless melee pressure suits those who enjoy methodical skirmish tactics over fast-paced action. With positive reception for the added content and the base game's established Mostly Positive standing, the DLC appeals most to fans of turn-based RPG strategy who already own the core title and want to explore a new warband's campaign and multiplayer options. Availability on PC keeps it accessible for those matching the required system specifications, though the title receives no ongoing seasonal updates.
