How to Play

Crusaders: Thy Will Be Done

2-4 players 40-60 min 7.5 Board Game Geek Rating

Players control Templar Orders, using unique rondel-mancala mechanics to command knights, construct buildings, and launch crusades. Each faction possesses distinct rondel abilities that can be enhanced throughout play. Victory requires maximizing your Order's influence before King Philip grows suspicious and dissolves all Templar organizations, triggering the game's end.

Published 2018

Get Ready

Setup the game with these step-by-step instructions before diving into your turn.

Select player components

Each player takes in their color (plastic or wooden): 1 player board, 6 wedge tiles, 12 action markers, 3 Knights, 16 buildings, 5 Troop flag tokens, and 1 Knight Order Tile

Arrange wedge tiles

Place 6 wedge tiles single action side up; one player randomizes the order on their board, then all players match that wedge layout

Place action markers

Put 2 gold hexagon action markers on each of the 6 wedge pieces (12 total)

Position Knights

Place 2 Knights on designated spots on the Castle row at top of player board; set 1 Knight aside to be placed on the main board

Arrange buildings

Place 4 Castles, 4 Churches, 4 Farms, and 4 Banks on their corresponding rows on the player board

Set up Troop flags

Place 5 Troop flag tokens in notches at top of player board in order, flag up: I, II, III, IV, V

Choose Knight Order Tile

Select however you wish (random, pick from 2-3, or draft) and alter setup as necessary based on the tile's requirements

Prepare main board

Put the main board out on the 3-4 player side or the 2 player side

Place enemy strength tokens

Put 1 Prussian (grey) and 1 Slav (gold) token at the top of their matching tracks (#3 spot)

Distribute enemy tokens

Shuffle all remaining enemy tokens (including Saracen/brown) together and place 1 token on each flag space; place brown tokens face-up

Place building bonus tiles

Randomly place all 30 building bonus tiles face-up on the board in their matching shaped spaces

Determine start player

Choose randomly and give them the Metal Sword (1st player marker)

Place starting Knights

In reverse turn order, each player places their set-aside Knight on the board in 1 of the starting hexes (shows a Knight icon); multiple Knights cannot occupy the same starting area

Set aside majority tiles

Put the 6 majority tiles (1st and 2nd place for Slavs, Prussians, Saracens) nearby for end game scoring

Create Influence supply

With 2/3/4 players, put 140/200/260 influence points (IP) in a supply; keep extra tokens nearby

On Your Turn

What you can do during your turn.

Choose your action type

On your turn, select either A) Resolve an Action or B) Upgrade a Wedge

Resolve an Action - Select wedge

Pick 1 wedge with at least 1 action marker on it

Resolve an Action - Calculate strength

Count action markers on the chosen wedge plus any bonuses from buildings or other sources

Resolve an Action - Execute

Carry out the associated action based on the calculated number

Resolve an Action - Distribute markers

After completing the action, take all markers from that wedge and distribute them clockwise, 1 per wedge (mancala style), starting with the next wedge

Upgraded wedge option

If using an upgraded wedge, split action markers between the 2 actions however you wish and carry out both in either order; complete one action before starting the second

Upgrade a Wedge - Flip tile

Flip over 1 wedge that hasn't been upgraded; keep all markers on this wedge

Upgrade a Wedge - Optional distribution

You may pick any 1 wedge and distribute its action markers like normal

Travel action

Count action markers plus bonuses from Castles and Churches; split this value between your Knights on the board

Muster action

If action markers plus Farm bonuses equal or exceed the next flag's value, flip that flag tile and take IP from the supply equal to the flag's level

Crusade action

Choose an enemy token in a hex with your Knight; meet or exceed the enemy's strength using action markers plus bonuses from Mustered troops and Castles

Influence action

Collect IP from supply equal to action marker value plus bonuses from Churches, Farms, and Banks

Build action

Place a building in a hex without an enemy token or existing building where your Knight is present