The Men Who Would Be Kings: Colonial Wargaming Rules

About this board game

The Men Who Would Be Kings: Colonial Wargaming Rules is a tabletop wargame for 2 players, covering historical and Hollywood colonial battles from the mid- to late-Nineteenth Century.

These rules focus on the brief, frantic skirmishes found within colonial wars—engagements where either side might claim victory. While large-scale colonial clashes were often one-sided, these smaller battles offer a more uncertain and dramatic contest.

The game centers on the quality of the officers leading each unit. In the spirit of Victorian derring-do and adventure, larger-than-life commanders can drive their troops toward glory and medals—or toward a horrible end at the point of a spear tip.

• Fight battles inspired by the Indian Mutiny, the Boxer Rebellion, and other colonial conflicts.
• Explore British campaigns against the Zulus, Maoris, and other opponents.
• Represent the empires of France, Germany, and other nations.
• Stage battles between rival native factions.

The Men Who Would Be Kings uses simple gameplay to bring its battles to the table. The rules support both historical scenarios and Hollywood-style clashes, giving players room to recreate encounters shaped by courage, command, and sudden reversals.

Take the field with figures such as the real Fred Burnaby or the fictional Harry Flashman, and lead your forces into a contest where command quality matters. Whether the result is a medal-worthy triumph or a disastrous defeat, each skirmish captures the dangerous adventure of colonial warfare.