You can now order Assassins and Templars: A Ruckus Game from the folks at Wargames Illustrated but also two new sets of Giants In Miniature figures, which slot in nicely with the theme of this Medieval skirmish game.

Templar Heroes // Wargames Illustrated

The two characters that you get as part of the Templar set include Walter de Mesnil, Templar Hitman (Left) and Gilbert de Lacy, Templar Commander (Right). de Mesnil was the closest thing that the Templars had to a contract killer, according to Steve Tibble in his new book, Assassins and Templars: A Battle in Myth and Blood. He was considered an evil enforcer of the Templars who led brutal attacks on the ambassadors of the Assassins and nearly triggered a civil war.

His fate is unknown despite earning praise from Templar Master Odo de Saint-Amand but the fury of King Amalric of Jerusalem and the Old Man of the Mountain. Next to him is Gilbert de Lacy, Templar Commander, who donated to the Templars before joining them in 1157. He rose through the ranks quickly and was seen as “a nobleman of high rank and an experienced warrior”. A little different from de Mesnil!

If you'd like some notable Assassins, then you can also get a set containing miniatures for Abu’l-Fath, The Great Deceiver (Left) and Khalid the Shade, Death from the Shadows (Right).

Assassin Heroes // Wargames Illustrated

Abu’l-Fath was well known for his daring strike against Khalaf ibn Mula’ib and his citadel. He infiltrated it with his comrades, killed Khalaf and seized the town. This then led to Apamea being a semi-independent Assassin stronghold in Syria. He can be used to represent either a Fidai Hero or Retainer in your games of Assassins and Templars.

Next to him, Khalid is the mysterious Assassin who tried to kill King Endward I with his poisoned dagger! He is shown in a classic pose with hood and cloak wrapped around him, ready to strike from the shadows.

Assassins and Templars: A Ruckus Game

Both of these characters pop up in Assassins and Templars: A Ruckus Game, which is available to order now and as part of the latest Wargames Illustrated magazine.

Assassins and Templars: A Ruckus Game // Mike Peters

This is a follow-up to Mike Peters' Ruckus and acts as a micro-skirmish game, played at a low figure count using the two factions in the title. The rules are tight thirty-two-page, self-contained volume with all of the mechanics for playing the game.

Games are normally played with around twelve figures per side as your Assassins and Templars clash alongside their Retinue for control of the Holy Land. Talking of Retinues, Gripping Beast are also offering sets of miniatures for both factions to get you started.

Templar Retinue // Gripping Beast

Assassin Retinue // Wargames Illustrated

Both of the Retinues come with the Giants In Miniature figures we showed off at the top of this article, plus a series of Gripping Beast figures to use when crafting your Retinue of choice. You get more than enough figures for both sides, so you'll have plenty to mix and match between scenarios.

Could this be a good excuse to collect miniatures for the Crusades era without having to buy into big armies?

Drop your thoughts below!