1212 Las Navas de Tolosa

About this board game

1212 Las Navas de Tolosa is a tactical wargame for exactly two players, with games lasting around 45 minutes. It recreates the famous medieval battle of the Reconquista, where the Christian kingdoms of Castile, Aragon, and Navarre face the Almohad Empire.

Each side represents a very different way of understanding war. Players move their troops across the battlefield, spend action points, and engage in fierce combat. Careful card play is essential, as every decision can affect who acts first and how effectively forces can be deployed.

At the beginning of a round, each player secretly plays one card face down. The cards are then revealed simultaneously, and the player with the higher number wins the initiative. Starting with that player, both players take turns using their cards as action points to move troops and fight.

• Players: 2
• Playing time: approximately 45 minutes
• Setting: the medieval battle of Las Navas de Tolosa during the Reconquista
• Core mechanics: hidden card selection, initiative, action points, movement, and combat

Victory can be achieved in several ways. The Christian player wins when the Black Guard troop is eliminated. The Muslim player wins with eight or fewer troops on the battlefield and no Christian in the Muslim zone. Either player can also win by having at least twice as many troops as their rival.

With its simultaneous card reveals and tactical troop movement, 1212 Las Navas de Tolosa focuses on timing, positioning, and making the most of limited actions. Choose a side, read the battlefield, and use your cards wisely to claim victory.