Undermining

Z-Man Games · Board game · 2011
6.7 Ludopedia 6.4 BGG 2–5 · best 5 45 min Weight 1.8/5
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6.7 rating Ludopedia
6.4 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy a good dose of space exploration, resource management, and a touch of 'pick-up and deliver' with plenty of interaction, Undermining might be a pleasant surprise. It's a game that challenges you to plan your movements on the map, optimize your actions, and keep an eye on what others are up to. The feeling of evolving your UMVee and fulfilling contracts is very rewarding, and replayability is a strong point.

Highlights
  • Fun space exploration
  • Strategic action management
  • Direct player interaction
  • High replayability
  • Vehicle evolution
Keep in mind
  • Can have frustrating blockades
  • Theme might not appeal to all
  • Battery management is crucial
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About the game

What you do in a play session

In Undermining, players take on the role of space miners on an alien world, piloting their UMVees (Universal Mining Vehicles) to unearth precious resources. Each turn, you need to manage your action points to fulfill short-term goals, such as collecting specific resources, while planning long-term to upgrade your vehicle and complete lucrative contracts. Victory depends on accumulating more 'star bucks' than the competition, which is achieved not only through contracts, but also by UMVee improvements, the discovery of alien technologies, and the resources you have at the end of the game.

Each upgrade to your UMVee not only makes it more powerful but also grants special abilities that can turn the tide of the game. Undermining is a highly interactive game, where your actions can both benefit and hinder other players' plans. Competition for resources is intense, but strategic movement and blocking open tunnels are equally crucial. While it's possible to move through other UMVees, doing so costs battery power, and efficient management of this energy – which allows for extra actions – is essential for success. The game features a double-sided game board, significantly altering player interaction. With a random layout of resources, UMVee upgrades, variable contracts, and unique bonuses from alien technologies, every game of Undermining promises a unique experience.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

2 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–5 players
2 REC
3 REC
4 REC
5 BEST

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Organizations: The Game Artisans of Canada Theme: Mining
Publisher Z-Man Games
Designer Matt Tolman
Artist Gavan Brown

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

920owners
225wishlist
25want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How many players can play Undermining?
The game is suitable for 2 to 5 players, making it versatile for different group sizes.
What is the average game length?
A game of Undermining typically takes about 45 minutes, perfect for a quicker game session.
What is the complexity level of the game?
With a BGG weight of 1.84, Undermining is considered a light to medium game. It's easy to learn but offers strategic depth.
What are the main objectives to win?
To win, you need to accumulate more 'star bucks' than others. This is achieved by completing contracts, upgrading your UMVee, finding alien technologies, and having resources at the end of the game.
Does the game have a lot of player interaction?
Yes, interaction is a strong point! Players' actions can both benefit and impact others, and competition for resources and tunnels is constant.
What makes Undermining replayable?
Replayability is high due to the double-sided board, random resource layout, varied UMVee upgrades, different contracts each game, and unique alien technology bonuses.

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