
- BGG rank
- BGG #24,245
- BGG rating
- 5.8
Seven Days Battles
- 2 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 1993

1992
Rules assistance for Crossbows and Cannon
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Crossbows and Cannon is a board game released in 1992 for 1–2 players, 180 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Robert G. Markham and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Hexagon Grid, and Simulation.
This standalone wargame utilizes the game system as 3W's 'Royalists and Roundheads'. The wargame features a command system intended to simulate the problems of command during the Renaissance where leaders are rated for command, initiative and combat. The four battles are Pavia 1525, Garigliano 1503, Ravenna 1512, and Bicocca 1522. Weapons in the game range from arquebusses, crossbows, cannon, pike and more. Units include stradiots, genitors, pikemen and more. A followup Crossbows and Cannon II is available.
Crossbows and Cannon supports 1–2 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 Crossbows and Cannon is 180 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 Crossbows and Cannon 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.
Crossbows and Cannon has a complexity rating of 2.2 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.
Crossbows and Cannon belongs to these categories: Wargame and Renaissance. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Hexagon Grid, 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 Crossbows and Cannon are: Robert G. Markham. 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 Crossbows and Cannon 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.