Hex Barons

A crunchy old-school micro-skirmish game for 1-2 players with tactical cardplay, custom scenario maps, and comics!

Gameplay includes :
- A battle deck with special abilities and card crafting
- Dynamic terrain that affects movement and combat (including fog!)
- Units with unique abilities
- Sigil powers that bend the rules

Victory comes from defeating enemy units, and the game ends immediately when a player reaches the scenario's target VP total.

Watch the trailer HERE or a complete how to play video HERE.

FEATURES:

- Dynamic, emergent gameplay that creates truly unique tactical situations
- Compelling card play with crafting and mind games
- 12 terrain types with special rules (including fog!)
- 16 unique Sigil power cards
- 10 Scenario maps
- Intro campaign for 2 players with comics
- 1P scenario with original comics
- Easy setup (be up and playing in under 5 minutes)
- Easy-to-print components (B&W friendly)
- Free online map-builder. Click HERE

Get started with the intro campaign.  All you'll need is:

- 2 sets of dice (or other unique markers)

- a deck of cards (or print the custom battle deck cards)

- a pencil

- 5 b&w printed pages (squads + map + sigil cards)

hexbarons_0.8.zip includes:
Core Rulebook v0.8
Intro Campaign pack
Single player boss battle scenario pack
Card pack with custom battle deck and sigil cards
Squad Sheet pack with original artwork
Scenario Map pack 
Template pack to create your own Squads and Maps

*all print elements are zine format, except for some oversize maps that take up a whole letter format page.
(individual download packs also available)

DESIGNERS NOTE
The spark for Hex Barons came from my studio partner, Simon Cottee, who first floated the idea of a hex-based game where dice act as units. For me, it tapped into the nostalgia of my early days with Battletech and D&D—but I wanted something more accessible and creative. Hex Barons is designed with love as a quick, print-and-play squad skirmish game that uses only simple, inexpensive components. It works as a gateway for new players—my own kids included—while still carrying the crunchy, DIY old school energy of ’80s and ’90s tabletop games. Just as important, it invites players to add their own creativity by drawing maps and designing their own character art.

I welcome all feedback!! Either here or in the playtest form available here: https://www.studiotortu.com/hexbarons

CREDITS
Design and Art by Malcolm Sutherland
Based on a concept by Simon Cottee
Dev Playtesting: Maximilian Sutherland, Simon Cottee, Calvin Brett, Duane Menezes, Felipe Arasanz, Remi Hayward, Dale Hayward

All artwork is original and created specifically for this game. Ai was not used in any way during the creation of Hex Barons.