Jugula: Rise of the Gladiators

Jugula is a card-driven miniatures game that puts you in the role of a Roman lanista managing a school of gladiators (ludus). Instead of a strict combat simulation, it functions more like a tactical deck-builder, where players manage a small familia of four fighters and manipulate cards to control the flow of the arena.

The Core Gameplay

No Dice: The game is entirely driven by custom decks of Jugula cards, completely replacing traditional dice.
Card Flexibility: Every card can be used in multiple ways. You must strategically choose whether to use a card for movement, combat, increasing your crowd popularity (Vox Populi), or playing an upgraded Prima Jugula card to boost your strategy.
Fast-Paced Combat: The game is played on a square, chess-like grid. Winning is based on accumulating points rather than just fighting to the death; players earn points for wounding or executing enemy fighters.
Gladiator Variety: You draft your team from 12 distinct gladiator types (6 light, 6 heavy) like the Retiarius, Thraex, and Secutor, each offering different weapons, defenses, and special abilities.

The Campaign Mode

Beyond individual battles, Jugula features a robust career/campaign system. Players manage their gladiator school across multiple seasons, spending resources to train gladiators, hire mercenaries, buy better equipment, and ultimately fight their way from illegal back-street fight pits all the way to the glory of the Coliseum.

Genre: Ancients (up to 500 AD)

Scale: 32 mm

Average Models per Side: Less than 10

Number of Players: 2

Miniatures: Dedicated

Rules: Purchased Hard Rulebook

Availability: In Print

Publisher: Studio Tomahawk

Designers: Alexandre Buchel

Year Released: 2014

Website: Studio Tomahawk - Jugula

Additional Information: