Purgatory - Men of Iron Volume VI
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Guelphs against Ghibellines, Pope against Emperor. The battles that changed medieval Italy, on your table.
What it's about
Seven battles that set medieval Italy ablaze
For almost two centuries, Italy was the battleground between the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor. The Investiture Controversy split cities and families: the Guelphs, loyal to the Papacy, against the Ghibellines, allied with the Empire. From Legnano to Zappolino, blood soaked every corner of the peninsula.
Purgatorio: Men of Iron Volume VI is the sixth chapter in the celebrated GMT Games series, designed by Ralph Shelton. It recreates seven crucial battles — from Frederick Barbarossa attempting to reclaim rebellious provinces in 1176, to the legendary war fought (according to legend) over the theft of a bucket from a well in 1325.
The Men of Iron hex-and-counter system is known for its ability to tell stories. Every counter-offensive by the Lombard League, every Swabian cavalry charge, every Florentine retreat becomes your decision — with historical consequences always hanging in the balance of the dice.
From the game table
The Men of Iron system doesn't simulate medieval warfare — it brings it to life. Every activation is a decision that could turn the tide of history.
The secret of Purgatorio in one line
Seven centuries of dust and steel in a box. Dante fought at Campaldino — now it's up to you to decide how it ends.
From the game experience
Purgatorio: Men of Iron VI
Seven scenarios fully playable solo: you control both sides or use the included automaton rules. The historical depth holds even without an opponent — medieval battles have enough surprises for a single player.
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · based on rulebook, international reviews, and game sessionsOn the battlefield
What you command in each scenario
Medieval infantry and cavalry
Norman knights, communal militias, crossbowmen with pavises. Each unit has specific historical characteristics for the period and battle.
Initiative activation system
Leaders activate groups — but the continuation die decides if you can act again. The chaos of battle is always present, never predictable.
7 exclusive historical maps
From Legnano to Zappolino: each scenario has its own hex map faithful to the original topography, with special terrain rules.
Pavise mechanic
New to the series: shieldbearers protect crossbowmen with large fixed shields. A historically accurate mechanic that changes how shooting is managed.
Dante fought at Campaldino in 1289. He didn't know how it would end. Now you do — but that doesn't mean anything will change.
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RulebookEnglish · Official PDF
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
Choose the battle, study the field
Open the manual, choose the scenario — Legnano 1176, Montaperti 1260, Campaldino 1289. Place the counters, read the historical notes. You already know who you are and what's at stake. The map is before you just as it was for the commanders of the era.
The first activation die is rolled
You activate your leader, move the cavalry group. Then comes the continuation die — can you act again, or does the turn end unexpectedly? The Men of Iron system is here: each activation is a gamble on your ability to seize the moment.
The front breaks where you least expected it
A disordered infantry group failed to re-form in time. The enemy cavalry finds the gap. It wasn't in the plan. History changes before your eyes — exactly as it happened on September 4, 1260, at Montaperti, where the Ghibellines overwhelmed Florence.
The move that rewrites history
There's always a moment. A charge that shouldn't have succeeded but does. A crossbowman with a pavise stopping an entire enemy flank. A die that says yes when everything else said no. You won't forget that move — and it becomes the story of the evening.
The battle ends. History remains.
Flight points are tallied, and victory conditions are checked. But what remains isn't the outcome — it's the narrative. Did Dante survive Campaldino? Did Frederick Barbarossa defeat the Lombard League? Tonight, you decided it.
How to play
The flow of each turn
The Men of Iron system can be learned in an hour, mastered in three scenarios. Complexity arises from history, not from rules.
Choose which leader to activate — each commander has an initiative value that determines which units they can move and how many. Historical leaders have characteristics faithful to their role.
Units move on hexes while maintaining formation. Terrain matters: rivers, hills, forests change movement and defense capabilities. Historical topography is part of the game.
Adjacent units attack — the result can inflict disorder, retreat, or elimination. Disordered units cannot attack and must rally before returning to action.
After each activation, roll the continuation die. If you pass the threshold, you can activate another group. If you fail, the turn passes to your opponent. This mechanic is the heart of the Men of Iron system.
Why it's different from other wargames
Six mechanics that make a difference
Continuation die
You never know how many actions you'll get in a turn. You plan, but the die decides if you can execute the entire plan. The fog of war is not an optional rule — it's the heart of the system.
7 distinct historical scenarios
From Legnano 1176 to Zappolino 1325: each battle has exclusive maps, units, and special rules. It's not a generic system — it's history reconstructed scenario by scenario.
Pavise mechanic (new to the series)
Shield-bearers protect crossbowmen with large fixed shields: a new feature introduced in Purgatorio that reflects the specific tactics of medieval Italian wars.
Integrated historical notes
Each scenario is preceded by a historical analysis of the battle. You know why you're fighting, who the protagonists were, and what truly happened. Historical context is not optional.
Flight points as constant pressure
Medieval armies didn't fight to the last man — they routed. The Flight Points mechanism reproduces this reality: every loss brings both sides closer to collapse.
Compatible with the entire Men of Iron series
The system is the same as previous volumes, updated. Those already familiar with the series have an advantage — those starting with Purgatorio have an excellent foundation for everything else.
How it ends
How to win — and how to lose
Each scenario has specific historical objectives. It's not enough to survive — you must control what mattered in that battle.
Victory
- Achieve the scenario's territorial or tactical objectives
- Push the opposing side beyond the Flight Points threshold
- Hold key positions until the end of the specified number of turns
Defeat
- Your army exceeds the flight threshold — troops rout
- You lose control of objective hexes before the scenario ends
- Your main commander is eliminated in some scenarios
Purgatorio: Men of Iron Volume VI is a quality historical wargame with seven centuries of Italian conflict encapsulated in seven battles that no history book can recount like this one.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ about Purgatorio: Men of Iron VI
Do you need to know previous volumes to play?
No. Purgatorio is standalone — it includes all necessary rules. Those who have already played other Men of Iron series titles will adapt in a few minutes due to familiarity with the system. Those starting from scratch will need a learning session before mastering the mechanics.
Is it suitable for newcomers to wargames?
No, it's not a gateway game. Purgatorio is a serious tactical wargame with detailed historical rules and a challenging learning curve. For those who want to start with wargames, there are more accessible titles. However, if you are already passionate about medieval history and have experience with hex-and-counter games, Purgatorio is an excellent choice.
How long does a single game last?
It depends on the scenario. Smaller scenarios are completed in 60-90 minutes, while larger ones like Legnano or Montaperti can take 3-4 hours. The indicated duration of 60-240 minutes reflects this variety — the game adapts to your evenings.
Can it be played solo?
Yes. The game officially supports solo mode: you can control both sides or use the included automata rules. The solo experience is genuinely satisfying — seven complex historical scenarios offer abundant challenge even without an opponent.
What does the Pavise mechanic include that wasn't in previous volumes?
Pavesari are shield-bearers who protect crossbowmen with large fixed shields, a widespread tactic in medieval Italian wars. In the game, crossbow units accompanied by Pavesari receive additional protection against enemy fire. It is a novelty introduced to accurately reflect the specificities of the Italian theater.
Is the edition in English — do I need to know the language?
Yes, a good understanding of English is necessary to read the rulebook and the historical notes for the scenarios. The counters and maps use standard wargame abbreviations that are easily understandable, but the text of the rules is in English and is not translated.
Purgatorio: Men of Iron Volume VI is a hex-and-counter tactical wargame for 1–2 players (ages 12+, duration 60–240 min). Designed by Ralph Shelton, published by GMT Games. Game system: leader activation with continuation die, movement on a hexagonal grid, combat with results table. Covers seven battles of medieval Italy between Guelphs and Ghibellines: Legnano 1176, Cortenuova 1237, Montaperti 1260, Benevento 1266, Tagliacozzo 1268, Campaldino 1289, Zappolino 1325. Sixth volume of the GMT Games Men of Iron series. Includes exclusive Pavise mechanic for the Italian theater. Supports official solo mode. 9/16" counters. English edition. Available on FroGames.it.
Purgatory - Men of Iron Volume VI
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