CTG Buyer's Guides

The Hoplomachus
Buyer's Guide

What Is Hoplomachus?

Written by Devon Norris 

Published on August 12, 2025

Hoplomachus is both the past and the present of Chip Theory Games. Early iterations of Hoplomachus--The Lost Cities, Rise of Rome, and Origins--marked the first forays into crowdfunding for Chip Theory, and those titles paved the way for Too Many Bones. With the more recent releases of Victorum and Remastered, we have returned to our origins and produced solo, cooperative, and competitive versions of Hoplomachus that reflect the design and production ethos CTG fans have come to love.
 

Hoplomachus: Victorum is a brand-new, standalone arena combat game for solo players, and Hoplomachus: Remastered brings together the best of the legendary series into one gorgeously updated package.
 

If you want a mythological adventure full of clever tactics and hex-based arena combat, then look no further than Hoplomachus!

Where Do I Start?

Great question! We've compiled this handy buyer's guide to help you answer that question. Hoplomachus has two base games--Victorum and Remastered--so you'll need to grab one of those, and then there are expansions, some cross-compatible and some not. Those will be the main focus before considering any of the other goodies that you've come to expect from Chip Theory Games.
 

Let's start with the base game (the first and only essential purchase in the process). There are two to choose from: Hoplomachus: Victorum, a solo-only experience, and Hoplomachus: Remastered, which can accommodate 1-4 players.

In Hoplomachus: Victorum, embark on a worldwide journey with one of eight epic heroes, assemble a squad of elite fighters, defeat primuses as you travel the ancient world, and prevail against one of Pluto’s scions at Mount Vesuvius. In this four-act campaign, every week will introduce new obstacles—contests of sport to entertain a crowd, conflicts full of bloodshed to appease the masses, and opportunities for your camp to prosper along the way. If your hero is defeated, it will spell doom for the world.

In Hoplomachus: Remastered, play as one of seven factions and hold down the arena against other warriors to prove your worth. With solo play, two-player co-op, and PvP for up to four players, Hoplomachus: Remastered offers anything and everything you need for arena-based chaos and conflict. It combines the very best content from the now out-of-print Hoplomachus: The Lost Cities and Hoplomachus: Rise of Rome, all while streamlining the rules and introducing captivating new artwork.

And if you're interested in both Victorum and Remastered, then Pandora’s Might connects the worlds of Hoplomachus by bestowing great prowess upon the heroes of Remastered. These warriors can now cross between realms and function as both imposing primuses and mighty heroes. The legendary Pandora joins the fight as well, but scions ride in her wake like a tide of destruction.

Published in 2023.

Dedicated solo experience with eight playable heroes and a four-act campaign.

Arena combat with Sport and Bloodshed events to test player tactics.

Games will take around 90 minutes, and players can save their campaign progress.

Hoplomachus: Victorum

Hoplomachus Remastered

Published in 2023.

Includes 5 gameplay modes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Onslaught, Ascension, Skirmish, Pandemonium, and Alliance).

Remastered offers solo, cooperative, and competitive modes.

You can play with 1-4 players, and games will take around 60 minutes.

Expanded Gameplay

Once you've opened up the Pandora's Box of possibilities in Hoplomachus, you'll be hard-pressed to find a stopping point. The revitalized Remastered and the vibrant Victorum offer so many tactical explorations for tabletop strategy fans. Pandora's Ruin, Wake, and Might are an expansion series designed to extract the full potential of this gladiatorial combat series. 

 

Ruin introduces new modular enhancements to the Victorum experience with the always-present Dark Days in your campaign, the arena adjustments of Strange Sands, the challenging primuses of The Rivals, and the accelerated campaign of Mercury's Boots.

 

Wake heralds the arrival of the mysterious Vesuvian faction, hearkens back to the horrors of the heavenly Fa Mel prison, and heaves ships to and fro in the Naumachia naval battles. With two new arenas and two fresh gameplay modes, there is a lot to love here.

 

Pandora’s Might connects the worlds of Hoplomachus by bestowing great prowess upon the heroes of Remastered. These warriors can now cross between realms and function as both imposing primuses and mighty heroes. The legendary Pandora joins the fight as well, but scions ride in her wake like a tide of destruction.

Deluxe Add-ons

Fighting day after day in the arena means that your equipment will wear down until your sword is dull and your gear is dirty. If you're the adventurous type and you're looking to enhance your Hoplo before the next gladiatorial clash, then there is a bevy of bedazzled goods for you to consider. 

 

It wouldn't be a Chip Theory Games title if we didn't produce absurdly unnecessary but patently awesome upgrades for it. With that in mind, check out what we have to offer for the Hoplomachus series!

Premium Health - A beloved upgrade that replaces the standard health chips.

Alloy Dice - For the truly heavy-metal Hoplo players out there, these metal alloy dice will send your opponents flying off the table!

Premium Draw Bag - When your hand reaches in to pick up a chip, we want it swaddled in luxury...

Mag Tokens - Keep track of tactics, banes, and other fiddly combat reminders in the slickest fashion possible!

Metal Hero Tracker Pegs - Plastic is a thing of the past. Any gladiator worth their salt uses exclusively metal to track their progress!

Premium Hero Tracker Mat - Those metal swords? Where do you peg them? In this premium hero tracker mat!

Mercury's Boots Hero Tracker Mat - Playing the expedited campaign? Then expedite this awesome tracker mat to your cart!

Victorum Playmat - Bask in the glow of an exploding volcano while you play Hoplomachus... or any other game!

Dice Tower - Your dice deserve the soft, loving touch of a svelte dice tower. And it's collapsible for superlative storage!

Control 'Ur Roll Dice Tray - Snap into combat with a nifty neoprene dice tray and get those Hoplo dice rolling!

Avoid your opponent's sword, dodge the falling ash and rock, and make doubly sure your warrior's accoutrement is premium! These are accessories befitting a champion, and a champion is the only one who will be able to fight off primuses, scions, and Pluto himself!

 

As a famous warrior once said, "Treat yourself!" Now, let's take a look at where you fit into the world of Hoplomachus.

Summary

Are you curious about the strategic depth and enjoy multiple modes of play ➡️ Buy Hoplomachus: Remastered

The no-brainer for solo players ➡️ Hoplomachus: Victorum

You don't want to miss out on the cross-compatibility ➡️ Both base games and Pandora's Might

Want a premium campaign ➡️ Pick up Victorum along with Pandora's Ruin and some deluxe add-ons

A completionist ➡️ We get it… We’re the same way. Get both base games and then a personal selection of expansion content and premium upgrades!

Shop Hoplomachus

Summary

Are you curious about the strategic depth and enjoy multiple modes of play ➡️ Buy Hoplomachus: Remastered

The no-brainer for solo players ➡️ Hoplomachus: Victorum

You don't want to miss out on the cross-compatibility ➡️ Both base games and Pandora's Might

Want a premium campaign ➡️ Pick up Victorum along with Pandora's Ruin and some deluxe add-ons

A completionist ➡️ We get it… We’re the same way. Get both base games and then a personal selection of expansion content and premium upgrades!

Shop Hoplomachus

See what reviewers have said about Hoplomachus!

Beyond Solitaire

Dice Tower

More Resources

Want to read the rulebook? Other questions? No problem!

Hoplomachus Support

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Chip Theory Games - Discord

Spend $200 on Hoplomachus, add a $30 Hoplo product for FREE!

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