Crusader Rex cover
2005BGG rank #2,789

Crusader Rex

by Tom Dalgliesh, Jerry Taylor · Columbia Games

Browsing is free. Ask BoardGameBrain about this game when rules coverage is ready.

Players2
Time180m
ComplexityMedium-Light
Age12+

About the game

What is Crusader Rex?

Crusader Rex is a block game of the 3rd Crusade. One player plays the Christian Franks, the other, the Muslim Saracens. The objective of the game is to control important Victory Cities such as Jerusalem, Acre, Damascus, and Antioch. The board depicts the Middle East from Antioch in the north to Egypt in the south, creating an engaging and elegant experience. You find yourself immersed in the theme and historical flavor that Crusader Rex has to offer. The Franks looking to take back the Holy Land, can they hold out until the powerful crusaders arrive, such historical figures as the ruthless Richard the Lionheart, Philip II of France, or even the 67 year old Frederick I red beard of Germania? As Saladin, who was the epitome of a chivalrous warrior, can you repeat history and retain the Holy Land for the Saracens? Crusader Rex plays a bit like other Columbia block war games but has many variants that give it its own historical flavor, such as siege warfare, knight charges, harrying, muster moves, freedom in set up, and more!

How it plays

Mechanics

Campaign / Battle Card DrivenDice RollingPoint to Point MovementSecret Unit DeploymentSimulationSimultaneous Action Selection

On the shelf

Categories

MedievalWargame

Questions players ask

Questions to bring to BoardGameBrain

  • How do setup and the first turn work in Crusader Rex?
  • When does scoring happen and what ends the game?
  • How should the table resolve an unusual timing or rules interaction?