GAME OVERVIEW
The Regicide Protocol is a strategic combat simulation designed for the elite warriors of the Imperium. This game mode pits two warlords against each other in a battle of tactical supremacy, where the ultimate objective is the elimination of the opposing commander. In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war—and in this arena, only one warlord shall stand.
Inspired by the ancient Terran game of chess, Regicide has been adapted for the battlefields of the 41st millennium. Each piece represents a vital component of a Space Marine chapter, Imperial Guard regiment, or xenos warband. The Emperor's Tarot guides the initial deployment, but victory belongs to the bolter-wielder with the sharpest mind.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES
The sacred duty of every player is to protect their Supreme Commander while seeking to eliminate the enemy warlord. The game ends immediately when a commander is taken—there is no retreat, no surrender, only glorious victory or heretical defeat.
| UNIT TYPE | MOVEMENT | COMBAT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Supreme Commander | 1 square, any direction | ∞ (Victory Condition) |
| Primaris Captain | 2 squares, any direction | 8 |
| Tactical Marine | 1 square forward, 2 diagonally | 5 |
| Assault Marine | 2 squares, any direction | 6 |
SACRED RULES
Turn Structure: Players alternate turns, representing the ebb and flow of battle. Each turn consists of a movement phase, combat phase, and command phase. The Adeptus Mechanicus chrono-device ensures temporal compliance.
Movement Protocol: Units may move according to their designated patterns. Terrain features such as ruins, forests, and vox-towers modify movement costs. A unit may not occupy a square already held by a friendly model.
Combat Resolution: When a unit moves into a square occupied by an enemy, combat is resolved through the sacred dice of Mars. Roll 1d6 and add the unit's combat value. The higher roll destroys the opposing unit. Ties result in both units being destroyed—such is the brutal efficiency of war.
Special Actions: Commanders may issue orders once per game turn, allowing a unit to act twice or ignore terrain penalties. This represents the inspirational leadership of Imperial officers or the psychic dominance of Chaos warlords.
INITIAL DEPLOYMENT
The game board consists of a 9x9 gridded battlefield, representing a ruined Imperial cityscape. Players deploy their forces on the first three ranks nearest their position. The Supreme Commander must be placed on the central file of the player's back rank—the Emperor protects, but the wise commander chooses the strongest position.
VICTORY CONDITIONS
The primary victory condition is REGICIDE—the successful elimination of the enemy Supreme Commander. This represents the collapse of the enemy's command structure and guarantees total victory.
Secondary Objectives: If both commanders are eliminated simultaneously, victory is determined by force superiority—count the remaining units. The player with more units remaining claims a Pyrrhic victory, having won the battle but at great cost to their forces.
Stalemate occurs when neither player can reasonably achieve regicide. This is recorded as a strategic draw, though Inquisitorial observers may declare both commanders unfit for continued service in such cases.