- BGG rank
- BGG #10,977
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Gnostica
- 2–6 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 2001
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- BGG rating
- 7.0
Pikemen
1997
Rules assistance for Pikemen
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 15 min
- 8+
- Complexity 2.8/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Pikemen
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Pikemen is a board game released in 1997 for 2–4 players, 15 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Jacob Davenport and its main mechanics are Point to Point Movement.
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About the game
Pikemen is a game that uses Icehouse Pieces and a standard 8×8 board. Pieces are warriors with long spears known as "Pikes." Each turn a Pikeman may charge in the direction he is pointing (move any number of spaces in a straight line) and then reorient his pike in a different direction, including straight up for defense. When in defense, a piece can only be captured by a larger piece. When pointing, a piece may be captured by any other piece. Captured pieces are worth different points depending on their size: 1 for small, 2 for medium, 3 for large. The player who captures a number of enemy Pikemen worth a given amount first wins-- usually 12 points.
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- (Web published)
Questions and answers
Pikemen supports 2–4 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 Pikemen is 15 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 Pikemen for ages 8 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.
Pikemen has a complexity rating of 2.8 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.
Pikemen belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Point to Point Movement. 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 Pikemen are: Jacob Davenport. 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 Pikemen 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.