
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Black Powder: The Last Argument of Kings
- 2–6 players
- 120 min
- 2011

2009
Rules assistance for Black Powder: Second Edition
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Black Powder: Second Edition is a board game released in 2009 for 2–120 players, 120–360 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Rick Priestley, Jervis Johnson, and John Stallard and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling and Simulation.
Miniature Wargame rules for the era of horse and musket 1700-1900. If you can think of nothing finer than taking to the field of battle to refight great battles such as Quatre Bras, Bunker Hill, Rourke’s Drift, Blenheim, Gettysburg, and more, you’ll be needing a copy of Black Powder. Black Powder is very much a game for gentlemen gamers. Gamers who cherish the finer things in life such as wonderfully painted armies, fighting over luxurious terrain and doing so in the company of friends. No need for the use of protractors to wheel a unit. Arguments over whether a charge is 2mm out of range are not something you’ll need to worry about. In essence it’s a very relaxing game that can produce stunning conflicts - conflicts that can see one side appear doomed only for them to pull victory from the icy grasp of Mistress Defeat! The book itself is glorious. Hardback covers binding 184 full-colour pages filled with atmospheric anecdotes and the most sumptuous photographs of model soldiers you will have seen. It’s every wargamer’s dream! The 2nd Edition was published in August 2018.
Black Powder: Second Edition supports 2–120 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Black Powder: Second Edition is 120–360 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Black Powder: Second Edition for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Black Powder: Second Edition has a complexity rating of 2.6 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Black Powder: Second Edition belongs to these categories: Wargame, Napoleonic, and Miniatures. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling and Simulation. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Black Powder: Second Edition are: Rick Priestley, Jervis Johnson, and John Stallard. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Black Powder: Second Edition as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.