Hoplomachus: Beast & Master

About this expansion

Hoplomachus: Beast & Master is a hex-based tactical board game for 1–4 players, with battles designed to take about 30 minutes. Set in a gladiatorial arena on Rome’s doorstep, it challenges players to eliminate an opponent’s champion.

Champions begin in the arena but are inactive and defenseless until the crowd is behind them. On each turn, players draw, play, and move gladiators from their hand, supporting them with tactic chips and adapting their plans to the opponent’s moves and playing style.

Victory depends on more than direct attacks. Players can defend their champion, seize and hold areas that grant crowd favor, assault enemy champions, cover deployment zones, or eliminate tacticians to reduce an opponent’s options. Fighting beasts can also earn crowd favor, creating additional tactical possibilities.

• Hex-based tactical combat in a gladiatorial arena
• Chip-based unit management and tactical support
• Champion objectives tied to crowd favor
• Combat against opponents and beasts
• Play for 1–4 players, including player-versus-board options

Beast & Master adds 10 chips: one new gladiator and one beast for each of the five cities in Hoplomachus. The Beasts and Beastmasters option is chosen before each battle, introducing a customizable element to the game.

With combat, tactics, team play, and level progression through the crowd favor system, Hoplomachus: Beast & Master offers a focused arena contest where every move can change the battle.