What You Need to Play
What You Need
- The Core Rules (free download below)
- Miniature tanks or simple proxies
- A ruler or measuring tape (inches)
- Standard six-sided dice (at least 10)
- A 4' × 4' playing surface
- Some terrain (books or boxes work fine)
- An opponent
Helpful Extras
- Quick reference sheet (coming soon)
- Army roster sheet
- Faction-specific cards (coming soon)
- Painted miniatures (optional)
- Blast or measuring templates
Choose Your Faction
The Bloody Butchers
Territorial defenders who strike with overwhelming force from the ruins of Earth. They excel at ambushes and brutal close-range firepower.
Playstyle: Aggressive • Defensive • Medium Armor
Learn MorePlaying Your First Game
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Build Your Army (5 minutes)
Start with a 500-point force. For your first game, we recommend:
- 1 Commander tank
- 3–4 standard battle tanks
- 1–2 specialized units
Tip
Don’t worry about optimization. Pick what looks cool.
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Set Up the Battlefield (5 minutes)
- Use a 4' × 4' area
- Place 4–6 terrain pieces
- Decide deployment zones
- Roll to see who deploys first
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Deploy Your Forces (3 minutes)
Take turns placing units in your deployment zone. Keep your plan flexible and react to your opponent’s setup.
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Play the Game! (30–45 minutes)
Each round consists of:
- Initiative Phase
- Movement Phase
- Shooting Phase
- Assault Phase
- End Phase
Win by destroying enemy forces or controlling objectives.
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Learn and Improve
Review what worked, try new units, and experiment with tactics. Most importantly: have fun.
Ready to Command?
Download the complete Surge of Steel rulebook and start playing today. Includes full faction lists, unit stats, and advanced tactical options.
Version 1.5 | PDF | Free
Download Core Rules (2.5 MB)Quick Reference, Army Roster, and Templates coming soon.
Join the Community
Community features are coming soon. Sign up below to stay updated.
Master Your Faction
Faction GuidesFAQ
Do I need to buy expensive miniatures to start?
No. You can use proxies such as dice, coins, or paper tokens. The rules work regardless of what represents your tanks.
How long does it take to learn?
You can learn the basics in 15–20 minutes. Your first game may take longer as you reference rules.
Can I play solo?
Surge of Steel is designed for two players, but solo variants are possible. Community scenarios will expand this over time.
What if I find a rules issue?
Contact us at contact@surgeofsteel.com. We actively maintain errata and welcome feedback.