Fast-action card game for 2 players, designed to simulate the deadly dance of fighting with sword and shield. The mechanics seek to solve the problem of realistically capturing the flow of gladiator combat without getting bogged down in lots of charts and dice throws. Players draw a hand of 9 cards from their own deck and alternate playing attacks, feints, blocks and maneuvers, hoping to catch their opponent with his guard down. Wounds reduce the size of subsequent hands drawn. The game ends when one player is reduced to zero (killed) – or has stopped the game to plea for his life. Gladiators may be named and tracked for on-going campaigns or tournament play. -description from designer