Pentagruel (Ashcan Edition)

Pentagruel is a fantasy battle/skirmish game zine. It is fast-paced, rules-light, and miniatures-agnostic. I put this zine together the good old fashioned way - with scissors and glue. The game will always be free for you to print at home.

For a long time I've wanted a dynamic and fast-paced fantasy battle game with easy-to-learn rules,  the ability to use any/all miniatures in my collection, and to have some strategic interest while playing. Pentagruel is my best attempt at all these things. It is mostly inspired by Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game Quickstart (2017), Risk (1957) and Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Skirmish (2017), as well as many others. I made extensive use of the Proxie Flash Sheets while putting the game together. 

There are 4 files up for download: 3 versions of the Pentagruel zine and a printable Roster Sheet for keeping track of your Host. I've provided an easy-print file of the zine which can be printed on 3 A4 pages (double-sided, flip on short edge!) as well as a Spreads and Singles for screens.

This is the ASHCAN EDITION of Pentagruel, meaning it's not quite balanced yet. This is a 'complete' game, and includes everything I want the finished version to have and is completely playable. I'm just not 100% convinced that everything is as balanced as I'd like it to be before calling the game finished. Rather than sitting on a 95% finished game for the next year while playtesting, I thought I'd rather release this version for everyone to play. Please let me know what you think of the game so far! If things aren't quite balanced or rules don't make sense please let me know in the comments or ping me on discord (@jamzillarpg)! 

Once the game is as balanced as I'd like it, I'll print out a few copies and sell them here as cheaply as possible for those of you who don't have a printer or access to one at home, though your local library is always your friend! 

I'll update this page and the downloadable pdfs with changes based on my own games and your feedback. I hope you enjoy what is currently available!

Since making my last game, Dragon!, I've been more drawn towards print-and-play zines and the community spirit that has historically been the pillar of zine-making. For my next few zines (and hopefully beyond!) I'm going to be focusing more on tabletop games that are easy to print off at home,  fun to play, and most importantly free! I feel like there are enough premium games out there for people to spend their money on, and I'll get more enjoyment out of making something lofi. 

May thine sword be ever sharp, and thine cunning ever sharper!