Players: 2 · Time: 45–90 min · Components: Chess board, 32 chess like pieces, 12-card deck per player, some dice
Overview
Warbands & Warlords transforms the classic chess board into a battlefield for your miniature collection. Whether your army hails from the grim dark future or a realm of gods and monsters, any miniatures can take the field. Each piece follows standard chess movement but the moment blades are drawn and a capture is attempted, fate takes over. Combat is resolved through a trick-taking duel, blending strategic positioning with card management and the drama of a well-timed play.
The Deck & Your Hand
Each player maintains a personal 12-card deck numbered 1–12. At any time your active hand consists of two cards you may inspect freely, plus your remaining unplayed cards in a face-down draw pile.
Combat — The Trick
When one of your pieces would capture an enemy piece, both players select one card from their hand face-down, or the top card of the deck then flip simultaneously. The higher number wins the trick and the capture succeeds for that player. Ties go to the attacker.
Each piece type has a card ceiling it can actually use:
| Piece | Max Card Value |
|---|---|
| Pawn | 3 |
| Knight & Bishop | 6 |
| Rook | 9 |
| King | 11 |
| Queen | 12 |
If you are forced to play a card exceeding your piece's ceiling — because it was one of your available cards — the card's value is reduced to that piece's maximum for this trick only.
Warband Modifiers — Pick 3
Before the game, each player selects three Warband Modifiers that define their faction's unique identity and bend the rules in their favor. No two warbands need ever fight the same way twice. These are announced openly. Choose one Legendary and two Normal tricks — or three Normal if you prefer consistency over firepower.
Browse the warband sheets using the tabs above to build your lineup.
Burnt Cards
Burnt cards are tricks that have been used during the round. They are left face up so players can track which values remain in each deck.
A New Round
After all 12 tricks have been played, each player re-shuffles their deck and draws two new face-up cards. Cards with a reset icon are flipped face up again.
Victory
Standard chess checkmate conditions apply. The trick system does not change the goal — it changes how hard it is to get there. A single misplayed card at the wrong moment can cost you a queen. Resource management and board awareness work together, rewarding players who know when to commit a high card and when to let a piece fall.
Warbands & Warlords · Draft synopsis v0.1