Print & Play

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Rules

The complete set of cards to play Gladiators are available as a downloadable PDF. The size of cards is 57mm x 87mm.

Download Cards PDF

What is in the pdf

The pdf contents all cards in the game Gladiators. You can just print it and play.

Return to the main project page here:

Rules

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Rules

The core rules of Gladiators are available as a downloadable PDF.

Download Rules PDF

What kind of game is this?

Gladiators is a competitive multiplayer board game built around:

pact declarations
tactical duels
maneuver cards
betrayal
adaptation over time

The game is designed to create tension not only through direct combat, but also through negotiation, hidden intentions, and the unstable alliances formed between players.

Core structure

A game of Gladiators is played in rounds. Each round consists of three phases:

Declaration of pacts and duels
Duels
Cleanup :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Players continue through rounds until one of them reaches the required number of victory points.

Core mechanics

Three combat disciplines

Each player controls three skill types:

Archery
Spear
Riding

Each skill has a value between 1 and 5, and the total of all three must always equal 9. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

This creates an important strategic tension: players cannot be strong at everything and must shape their strengths carefully.

Pacts and betrayal

Before combat begins, players secretly assign cards to opponents.

These can include:

pact cards
empty pacts
duel cards

If both players declare compatible pacts, they gain bonuses.
If not, declarations may fail or even turn into betrayal penalties. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Duels

When a duel is established, the players involved choose the combat disciplines that will matter in that fight.

They then secretly play maneuver cards and resolve the duel based on:

selected disciplines
skill values
maneuver card effects
successful pacts
betrayal penalties :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Adaptation after defeat

After losing a duel, a player may redistribute one point between skills while staying within the allowed range.

This means the game includes an element of adaptation and long-term tactical adjustment, rather than remaining completely fixed from start to finish. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

What makes Gladiators different?

The core idea behind Gladiators is that much of the game happens before the actual duel.

The tension comes from social and strategic questions such as:

Who will challenge whom?
Which pact will actually be honored?
Who is bluffing?
Which opponent is preparing for a particular type of fight?

The duel system then gives those decisions concrete consequences.

That makes Gladiators a game not only of combat optimization, but also of timing, trust, manipulation, and reading the table.

Project status

These rules are part of an actively developing board game project.

The game already has a functional playable core, but the rules and presentation may continue to evolve over time as the project is further developed and refined.

Return to the main project page here:

Gladiators on Marks2Games

Print & Play

Rules

What is in the pdf

Related project page

Rules

Rules

What kind of game is this?

Core structure

Core mechanics

Three combat disciplines

Pacts and betrayal

Duels

Adaptation after defeat

What makes Gladiators different?

Project status

Related project page