Dead Man’s Hand

About this board game

Dead Man’s Hand is a 28mm Old West skirmish game for 2–6 players, with games lasting around 45 minutes. Players command bands of tough Cowboys, stoic Lawmen, ruthless Outlaws, or unpredictable Desperados in dramatic gunfights inspired by both historical events and the silver screen.

Each turn, fate helps decide who acts first. Players place cards face down beside their characters, then reveal them to establish initiative from high to low. Actions and other cards can alter this order, but luck usually determines when each model gets its moment.

When activated, a model receives three actions, which must be declared at the start of its activation. This keeps the game moving while leaving room for an opponent to play a special effect and catch a character off guard. Movement is deliberately straightforward, with no terrain modifiers to track; only climbing and jumping reduce movement rates.

Combat is fast and simple, matching the game’s cinematic gunfight setting. A single shot can kill, although attrition is generally the deciding factor for most characters. Weapons are divided into four clear categories:

• Pistol
• Rifle
• Repeater
• Shotgun

The rule book includes everything needed to recreate your own showdowns, along with twelve blood-soaked scenarios. An accompanying range of 28mm miniatures and pre-painted buildings supports the setting, whether you are staging legendary frontier confrontations or creating new stories of fame and respect. Dead Man’s Hand combines quick decisions, hidden initiative, and sudden danger in a focused skirmish experience.