Rules
Core rules for Gladiators.
Rules
The core rules of Gladiators are available as a downloadable 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.
Related project page
Return to the main project page here: