Purgatorio: Men of Iron Volume VI – Guelphs vs. Ghibellines
Purgatorio explores the brutal conflict spawned by the Investiture Controversy, a struggle that split Italian city-states and families for generations. This latest entry in the Men of Iron system covers the mid-1100s to the mid-1300s, charting the rise and fall of Hohenstaufen rule and the fierce independence of the Lombard League.
Seven Legendary Battles
- Imperial Ambitions: Command Frederick Barbarossa at Legnano (1176) or Frederick II at Cortenuova (1237) as they fight to reclaim rebellious Italian provinces.
- Italian Rivalries: Fight the bloodiest engagement of the era at Montaperti (1260) or join the poet Dante at the battle of Campaldino (1289).
- Dynastic Struggles: Experience the fall of Manfred at Benevento (1266) and the dramatic capture of Conradin at Tagliacozzo (1268).
- Feuds and Folklore: Conclude with Zappolino (1325), a battle born from a century of raids and reprisals between Modena and Bologna.
The Men of Iron Tactical System
The system emphasizes the unpredictability of medieval combat through its innovative activation and continuity mechanics. Players must manage their leaders and formations carefully to maintain momentum. With a map scale of roughly 110 yards per hex, Purgatorio offers a granular look at regimental-level warfare, where the timing of a cavalry charge or the endurance of a pike line decides the fate of empires.
Components
- Three 22" x 34" double-sided Game Maps.
- One 22" x 34" single-sided Game Map.
- Two and a half sheets of 9/16" counters.
- Two Player Aid Cards.
- Rulebook and detailed Playbook.
- One Flight Point Track.
- Two 10-sided Dice.
.svg)
Write your review