Purgatorio: Men of Iron Volume VI

Purgatorio: Men of Iron Volume VI brings GMT’s Men of Iron series to the battlefields of medieval Italy, covering the long conflict between Guelph and Ghibelline factions.

This volume focuses on a period where Italian warfare was changing. Heavy cavalry remained powerful, but communal infantry, crossbowmen, disciplined city forces, and battlefield symbols such as the Carroccio war wagon all played an increasingly important role. The result is a set of battles with a distinct Italian flavor, where morale, positioning, and momentum matter as much as raw striking power.

As in other Men of Iron games, the system uses dynamic activation rather than a traditional turn structure. Leaders can seize the initiative, press an advantage, or leave an opponent scrambling to respond. That gives battles a lively back-and-forth rhythm while keeping the rules manageable.

The included battles range from Frederick Barbarossa’s campaigns against the Lombard League to clashes such as Montaperti, Benevento, Campaldino, and Zappolino. It is a strong choice for players who enjoy medieval tactical games with historical variety and fast, tense play.

Contents include: four game maps, two and a half countersheets, player aid cards, rulebook, playbook, flight point track, and two ten-sided dice.