GLADIUS

INTRODUCTION
Card game for two players. Common deck.
Players are a pair of Roman Gladiators fighting to the death in the arena.
One player is a type of gladiator called the Secutor.
The other player is a type of gladiator called the Retiarius.

VICTORY
Reduce your opponent to zero hit points.
At this point, you have your opponent at your weapons tip, and
you await the final judgment of the cheering crowd.

HIT POINTS
Each Gladiator starts with 10 hit points.

SECUTOR
Secutor: Used an egg-shaped helmet with round eye-holes, greave on left leg, right arm
protector, legionary-style shield and sword. The secutor was called a “chaser,” probably
because he was frequently paired with the retiarius, who used running as one of his
tactics.

RETIARIUS
Retiarius (“net-and-trident” fighter): used an arm protector (often topped with a high
metal shoulder protector), large net, trident, small dagger, no helmet; the retiarius
was the only type of gladiator whose head and face were uncovered. Since he
wore practically no defensive armor, the retiarius was more mobile than most
gladiators but was also more vulnerable to serious wounds.

DECK
Players share a common deck.
The deck contains 56 cards.

CARD LIST
Name # Ftr Type Notes
Trident Thrust 8 R Atk 3 points damage
Cast Net 4 R Atk Immobilize
Withdraw 4 R Def Evade
Sword Stab 8 S Atk 3 points damage
Shield Block 4 S Def Block
Armor 4 S Def Block
Pommel 2 B Atk 1 point damage
Kick 2 B Atk 1 point damage
Dagger 2 R Atk 1 point damage
Shield Bash 2 S Atk 1 point damage
Disarm 2 B Atk Immobilize
Knockdown 2 B Atk Immobilize
Sand in the eyes 2 B Atk Immobilize
Grapple 2 B Atk Immobilize
Duck 2 B Def Evade
Leap 2 B Def Evade
Dodge 2 B Def Evade
Parry 2 B Def Block
# = Number of that card type in the Deck.
Ftr = Which type of fighter can use the card.
S = Secutor
R = Retiarius
B = Both
Atk = Attack card
Def = Defense card

SETUP
Players start with a hand of 2 cards each.

TURN SEQUENCE
Players take turns.
The Retiarius goes first.
The turn has 4 phases:
1. Maneuver Phase
2. Attack Phase
3. Defense Phase
4. Hit Phase

MANEUVER PHASE
Draw 1 card from the deck.
You may keep 5 cards in your hand. Discard excess cards.

ATTACK PHASE
Play 1 attack card that your fighter can use, from your hand, face up, onto the table.
You may not attack this turn if you used an Evade card to defend last turn.

DEFENSE PHASE
Your opponent may play a defense card, he can use, to counter your attack.
Both cards are discarded.
There are 2 types of Defense cards: Block and Evade.
Blocks cannot be used against Immobilization attacks.

HIT PHASE
If your opponent does not play a defense card, your attack hits.
There are 2 types of attack cards: Damage & Immobilize.
A damage card reduces your opponents hit point total by the indicated amount.
An Immobilize card means your opponent must skip his next turn.

OTHER GLADIATOR TYPES
The Thracian and Murmillo were often paired together.
To play an alternate gladiator type, remove the 18
cards specific to one type and replace them with
the 18 card set of the new type.

THRACIAN
Thracian: Wide-brimmed crested helmet with visor, high
greaves on both legs, arm protector, very small
shield, and short, curved sword (Spartacus).

MURMILLO
Murmillo: Were armed in Gallic fashion with helmet,
large sword, and shield and were so called from the
name of the fish that served as the crest of their
helmet.

DIMACHAERI
Dimachaeri: "two-knife men" of the later empire,
carried a short sword in each hand.

SAMNITES
Samnites: fought with the national weapons--a large
oblong shield, a visor, a plumed helmet, and a short
sword.

THRACIAN CARD LIST
Name # Ftr Type Notes
Sword Slash 12 T Atk 2 points damage
Buckler 2 T Def Block
Armor 2 T Def Block
Fleet Footed 2 T Def Evade

MURMILLO CARD LIST
Name # Ftr Type Notes
Sword Swipe 6 M Atk 2 points damage
Stunning Blow 2 M Atk Immobilize
Shield 4 M Def Block
Armor 2 M Def Block
Wild Swing 2 M Atk 3 points damage
Overhead Swing 2 M Atk 4 points damage
If the Murmillo takes a wild swing, the Murmillo cannot attack next turn.

DIMACHAERI CARD LIST
Name # Ftr Type Notes
Sword Flurry 6 D Atk 2 points damage
Crossed Swords 4 D Def Block
Sidestep 4 D Def Evade
Double Thrust 4 D Atk 3 points damage

SAMNITE CARD LIST
Name # Ftr Type Notes
Impale 4 SS Atk 4 points damage
Cut 8 SS Atk 1 point damage
Passive Shield 4 SS Def Block
Armor 2 SS Def Block

GLADIUS CARDS!!!
Thank you Zak (zak965@libero.it) for posting your
Gladius Support Page at:
http://www.geocities.com/gladius965/
Contains Card Set for Gladius.
Great Artwork. Check this one out!

SOLO RULES
by Gottardo Zancani:
- One common deck
- Draw as usual but the cards of your adversary are not usable for you (fog of war)
- When you attack use a "mini-hand" for the defender: get 2 cards and use
any defense card if available
- Your adversary turn; use a "mini-hand" for the defender: get 3 cards and
use the best attack card if available
Options:
- Mini-hand is 1-3 cards (depending on the gladiator type), with different
defense/attack mini-hands.
- Animals! replace the 18 specific cards with some new cards for lions,
tigers, bears. The animals could have different hit points and mini-hand
capabilities.

CARDSET IN ITALIAN
Alecrespi An Italian Warpspawn fansite

POSTULATI
Postulati fought in full armor with Sword & Lead Mace.

POSTULATI CARD LIST
Name # Ftr Type Notes
Thrust & Crush 3 P Atk 4 points damage
Slash & Smash 3 P Atk 2 points damage
Sword 3 P Atk 1 point damage
Lead Mace 3 P Atk 1 point damage
Full Armor 2 P Def Block
Double Parry 2 P Def Block
Wide Swing 2 P Def Evade

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