Deckhand Protocol - Dice less Skirmish Wargaming

DECKHAND PROTOCOL

A Dice less Skirmish Wargame by Ian Walker: From Obsidian Games

There’s something satisfying about a game that doesn’t ask much from you to get started. No piles of dice. No long setup. Just a deck of cards, a handful of miniatures, and a small battlefield.

Deckhand Protocol is a compact, genre-agnostic skirmish game built around a simple idea: every decision matters.

Instead of rolling dice, you build your turn from a hand of cards, choosing when to move, when to strike, and when to hold something back for the right moment. Every round becomes a small tactical puzzle, where positioning, timing, and smart use of abilities decide the outcome.

On your turn, you commit cards to your Command Center, shaping your actions before they unfold. Movement, attacks, and damage all come from the cards you play, creating a steady rhythm that feels both deliberate and unpredictable.

Royalty cards add another layer. Kings, Queens, and Jacks don’t just hit harder, they change how the battlefield behaves. A push here, a heal there, a sudden reposition… small shifts that can turn a fight in an instant.

The game is designed to stay out of your way. You can use any miniatures or tokens you already have. Play solo or against an opponent. Set up a quick encounter on a small board and be playing in minutes.

What you get is a skirmish experience that feels focused and intentional, without the usual overhead.

What You Need to Play

• Two standard decks of playing cards
• 3–5 miniatures or tokens per side
• A small play area (about 2’×2’ or larger)
• Pencil and paper to track Units and  damage
• Measuring tape or small ruler

What Makes It Different

• Diceless combat driven entirely by cards
• Command Center system that lets you plan your turn before it unfolds
• Royalty abilities that introduce tactical twists without slowing the game down
• Solo or head-to-head play
• Portable tri-fold format — easy to carry, quick to set up

Why It Works

This isn’t a game about memorizing rules or managing complexity. It’s about reading the situation in front of you and making the best move you can with what’s in your hand.

Every turn asks the same question:

Do you play it safe, or go all in?

If you enjoy Deckhand Protocol, be sure to check out all of the other games available in Obsidian Games!