
- BGG rank
- BGG #473
- BGG rating
- 7.7
BattleLore: Second Edition
- 2 players
- 45–90 min
- Complexity 2.7/5
- 2013

2012
Rules assistance for Freeblades
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.
Freeblades is a board game released in 2012 for 2–6 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Jon Cleaves and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling.
Freeblades is a fantasy skirmish game set in the vibrant world of Faelon. Freeblades are fortune hunters who operate under contract from one of Faelon's many factions. A freeblade contract permits the holder to operate without restraint outside of the issuing faction's boundaries for a share of any plunder or profit. In return, the freeblades can expect protection once back inside the faction's borders. Freeblades uses a unique tiered dice system and is quick-playing; most games are completed in less than 90 minutes. The rule system is suited for casual gamers as well as tournaments; there is also a special section on league play.
Freeblades supports 2–6 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 Freeblades is 60 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 Freeblades 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.
Freeblades has a complexity rating of 3.3 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight 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.
Freeblades belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Wargame, and Miniatures. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling. 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 Freeblades are: Jon Cleaves. 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 Freeblades 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.