War of the 3 Sanchos 1065–67 is a compact historical strategy game for 1–3 players and the fourth title in Surprised Stare Games’ Pocket Campaigns series. Set in northern Iberia during the 11th century, players take the roles of three rival kings named Sancho, manoeuvring and fighting to establish control over the castles and towers of the region.
Between 1065 and 1067, the War of the Three Sanchos was fought between Sancho I of Aragón, Sancho II of Castilla, and Sancho IV of Nájera-Pamplona over territories in what is now northern Spain. It was during this conflict that the knight Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, later famous as El Cid, first began to establish his reputation as a formidable battlefield commander.
Each player represents one of the three King Sanchos, competing for mastery of the region. Victory depends on fortifying strategically important castles and towers across Castilla, Nájera-Pamplona, and Aragón while preventing your rivals from doing the same.
The objective is straightforward: accumulate 10 Victory Points to immediately claim a major victory. If nobody reaches that total before all the cards have been resolved, the Sancho with the highest score wins a minor victory.
War of the 3 Sanchos is played over a series of rounds, with each player taking a turn during every round.
At the beginning of a round, the current commander selects an Action Card from their hand. Each card provides between 1 and 3 Command Points, which the commander can use during the round. However, choosing a card comes with an important tactical consideration: it also specifies actions that the other Sanchos must perform on their turns when possible.
This creates a constant dilemma. The card that gives you the best opportunity may also provide exactly what one of your rivals needs. Choosing which card to play and when to play it becomes a central part of the strategy.
When fewer than three people are playing, the remaining kingdoms are represented by non-player Sanchos, keeping all three rivals active in the struggle.
Players score Victory Points by fortifying castles and towers with their own pieces. The value of each position depends on its importance and whether it lies within a player's home territory.
Home Castle: 3 Victory Points (2 in the solo game)
Neutral Castle: 2 Victory Points
Tower: 1 Victory Point
Reach 10 or more Victory Points at any point to win a Major Victory
If nobody reaches 10 points, the player with the most Victory Points after the final cards are resolved wins a Minor Victory
With all three kingdoms pursuing the same objective, control can shift quickly and every card presents another opportunity—or risk.
Historical strategy game covering the War of the Three Sanchos, 1065–1067
Play as the King of Castilla, Nájera-Pamplona, or Aragón
Designed specifically around a three-sided struggle
Fully playable with 1, 2, or 3 players
Non-player Sanchos remain active when playing with fewer than three people
Card-driven command system
Command Points determine the actions available each round
Played cards can also provide actions to your opponents
Compete to fortify castles and towers throughout the region
Multiple victory conditions with Major and Minor Victories
Compact Pocket Campaigns format
Historical setting associated with the early reputation of El Cid
Short playing time while retaining meaningful strategic decisions
Players: 1–3
Playing Time: Approximately 30–45 Minutes
Recommended Age: 12+
Game System: Pocket Campaigns
Theme: Medieval Historical Strategy / Wargame
Language: English
Designer: David J. Mortimer
Publisher: Surprised Stare Games
1 Game Board
27 Action Cards
1 El Cid Card
1 Purple Cube
2 Black Cubes
1 Brown Disc
1 Rulebook
3 Sets of Player Pieces in Red, Yellow and Green:
1 King Counter
14 Discs
5 Small 6-Sided Dice
1 Large Special Die
1 Cylinder
War of the 3 Sanchos 1065–67 turns a relatively little-known medieval conflict into a compact three-sided contest where your decisions can benefit your enemies as easily as yourself. Choosing the right card, securing valuable strongholds, and judging when to make your move are all essential if your Sancho is to emerge as the dominant king.
With its dedicated solo and two-player support, quick playing time, and unusual three-way struggle, it offers a distinctive historical campaign in the compact Pocket Campaigns format.
War of the 3 Sanchos 1065–67 is a compact historical strategy game for 1–3 players and the fourth title in Surprised Stare Games’ Pocket Campaigns series. Set in northern Iberia during the 11th century, players take the roles of three rival kings named Sancho, manoeuvring and fighting to establish control over the castles and towers of the region.
Between 1065 and 1067, the War of the Three Sanchos was fought between Sancho I of Aragón, Sancho II of Castilla, and Sancho IV of Nájera-Pamplona over territories in what is now northern Spain. It was during this conflict that the knight Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, later famous as El Cid, first began to establish his reputation as a formidable battlefield commander.
Each player represents one of the three King Sanchos, competing for mastery of the region. Victory depends on fortifying strategically important castles and towers across Castilla, Nájera-Pamplona, and Aragón while preventing your rivals from doing the same.
The objective is straightforward: accumulate 10 Victory Points to immediately claim a major victory. If nobody reaches that total before all the cards have been resolved, the Sancho with the highest score wins a minor victory.
War of the 3 Sanchos is played over a series of rounds, with each player taking a turn during every round.
At the beginning of a round, the current commander selects an Action Card from their hand. Each card provides between 1 and 3 Command Points, which the commander can use during the round. However, choosing a card comes with an important tactical consideration: it also specifies actions that the other Sanchos must perform on their turns when possible.
This creates a constant dilemma. The card that gives you the best opportunity may also provide exactly what one of your rivals needs. Choosing which card to play and when to play it becomes a central part of the strategy.
When fewer than three people are playing, the remaining kingdoms are represented by non-player Sanchos, keeping all three rivals active in the struggle.
Players score Victory Points by fortifying castles and towers with their own pieces. The value of each position depends on its importance and whether it lies within a player's home territory.
Home Castle: 3 Victory Points (2 in the solo game)
Neutral Castle: 2 Victory Points
Tower: 1 Victory Point
Reach 10 or more Victory Points at any point to win a Major Victory
If nobody reaches 10 points, the player with the most Victory Points after the final cards are resolved wins a Minor Victory
With all three kingdoms pursuing the same objective, control can shift quickly and every card presents another opportunity—or risk.
Historical strategy game covering the War of the Three Sanchos, 1065–1067
Play as the King of Castilla, Nájera-Pamplona, or Aragón
Designed specifically around a three-sided struggle
Fully playable with 1, 2, or 3 players
Non-player Sanchos remain active when playing with fewer than three people
Card-driven command system
Command Points determine the actions available each round
Played cards can also provide actions to your opponents
Compete to fortify castles and towers throughout the region
Multiple victory conditions with Major and Minor Victories
Compact Pocket Campaigns format
Historical setting associated with the early reputation of El Cid
Short playing time while retaining meaningful strategic decisions
Players: 1–3
Playing Time: Approximately 30–45 Minutes
Recommended Age: 12+
Game System: Pocket Campaigns
Theme: Medieval Historical Strategy / Wargame
Language: English
Designer: David J. Mortimer
Publisher: Surprised Stare Games
1 Game Board
27 Action Cards
1 El Cid Card
1 Purple Cube
2 Black Cubes
1 Brown Disc
1 Rulebook
3 Sets of Player Pieces in Red, Yellow and Green:
1 King Counter
14 Discs
5 Small 6-Sided Dice
1 Large Special Die
1 Cylinder
War of the 3 Sanchos 1065–67 turns a relatively little-known medieval conflict into a compact three-sided contest where your decisions can benefit your enemies as easily as yourself. Choosing the right card, securing valuable strongholds, and judging when to make your move are all essential if your Sancho is to emerge as the dominant king.
With its dedicated solo and two-player support, quick playing time, and unusual three-way struggle, it offers a distinctive historical campaign in the compact Pocket Campaigns format.
