Getting Started with Conquest!

Conquest, what is it?

Conquest is a miniature wargame offering two distinct game systems – with the same miniatures, you can play two different games. The Last Argument of Kings is a large-scale, epic wargame where you maneuver massive armies in tight formations. First Blood is a fast-paced skirmish game focusing on small-scale clashes with freely moving regiments.

What makes Conquest unique and interesting?

Eä is a fresh, original world featuring factions like “undead Romans” or “orcs riding feathered dinosaurs.” The rules are simple and free, right on Para Bellum Games website (Conquest publisher). Even the army builder app is available for free on Google Play and the App Store. Miniatures in Conquest are 38 mm tall for human-sized models – larger than in many other wargames. This makes it easier for beginners to paint, and experienced painters will appreciate the larger surfaces for advanced techniques like non-metallic metal. And on the tabletop? These minis look just fantastic, even in small numbers!

Which faction should you pick?

To begin with, go with the rule of cool. Just choose what you like the most visually. You’ll get the hang of tactics and army-building by playing and discussing with other players. For each faction, I’ve noted how beginner-friendly it is. These estimates are based on my years of experience organizing Conquest events, but please, keep in mind they’re still subjective. A more challenging faction might take more games to master and require greater commitment to learn. Click on the name of the faction to see the products on our eshop!

The Hundred Kingdoms
The kingdom of horses. If you’re into classic knights, you’re in the right place. Excellent cavalry ensures a mobile army, combined with a wide selection of infantry for both melee and ranged combat making this faction a lethal power. For connoisseurs, there’s even the Archangel to play with.
Beginner difficulty: Medium.

Spires
Fantasy aliens. Invaders from a dying galaxy. Swarms of drones and biomass-grown clones controlled by pheromones flood the battlefield. A chosen caste obliterates enemies from afar in keratin exo-suits.
Beginner difficulty: Medium.

Dweghom
Dwarves on steroids. Dragon-slayers who tamed the remnants of dragons. Unlike classic fantasy dwarves, they’re skilled spellcasters. Their elite units are pricey but boast strong stats – they hit hard and take a beating.
Beginner difficulty: Easy.

Nords
Mutated vikings. Warbands of fierce warriors accompanied by raging wolves, wild boars, and towering Jotnars strike fear along every coastline. Their raider nature is not just cultural – it defines their playstyle. Through rituals, sacrifices, and self-harm, they boost their combat prowess.
Beginner difficulty: Hard.

W’adrhŭn
Orcs on feathered dinosaurs. Known for needing to eat several times more food than their weight is, daily. W’adrhŭn are made for an aggressive playstyle. And their T-Rex, the Apex Predator? It comes with a rule called “Icon of Conquest,” and once it hits the table, there’s no doubt who’s the king.
Beginner difficulty: Medium.

Old Dominion
Undead Romans. In the fallen cradle of human civilization, new legions rise again through the manifestation of god-emperor Hazlia. Zombie praetorians, living statues, and bone golems no longer fear death – nor do they panic in battle. Their appearance draws from both the Western and Eastern Roman Empires.
Beginner difficulty: Easy.

City States
Steampunk Greeks. With the help of titans, they master hidden technologies and, through inquisitorial control, keep dangerous discoveries from disrupting the world of Eä. Tactical masters, they pick their battles wisely. Soldiers in exoskeletons or full automation fight alongside allies like minotaurs, satyrs, and titans.
Beginner difficulty: Hard.

Sorcerer Kings
Persian-Indian Gandalfs. Masters of elemental magic, they command fire, air, water, and earth. With allies like Djinn, Efreet, and colossal Rakshasa, they form a flexible force. They dominate the battlefield through clever spell use. If you had love to play Academy/Tower in Heroes of Might and Magic, this faction is your safe spot.
Beginner difficulty: Medium.

Yoroni
Japanese spirits – but larger. From familiar themes like geishas to kitsune and tengu. You won’t find many small models here – instead, expect a majestic lineup of demons, ghosts, and monsters. Yoroni are highly adaptable and capable of unleashing deadly combos.
Beginner difficulty: Medium.

At the time of writing, the tenth and anniversary faction — Weaver Courts — has also been announced. These are cousins of the Spires who, instead of drawing their power from biomancy, harness the forces of nature and the seasonal cycle. If the Spires represent dark elves, the Weaver Courts share many traits with wood elves. A few models have already been available exclusively through tournaments (including at our local game store), and the official release of this faction is planned for fall 2025.

How to dive deeper into Conquest?

All rules are available for free on the publisher’s website (Para Bellum Games). A great bonus – updated rules are highlighted in red, so when an update drops, just skim through the red-highlighted sections. No more chasing errata all over the internet like in some other games.

As with most wargames, you’ll often be building your own army list – and Conquest is no different. Every game has a set point limit your army must stay within. Like many top-tier wargames, Conquest has its own (free!) army builder app. Fair warning: list-building in the app is addictive and may cause a drop in social media use and the occasional missed bus stop. Just kidding – spending a few minutes on your list is a great way to kill time.

In the Czech Republic, we have a large and friendly Conquest community. Vanguards (Conquest ambassadors) and other players are happy to help you out on our community Discord. We can even guide you through your first game. Join us via the link here! If you’re in Prague or nearby, join us at a game day or tournament at Najáda – we host events roughly once a month. You can also arrange casual games with others through Discord. The club has everything you need: armies to borrow at place  (Hundred Kingdoms and Nords), mats, terrain, dice, etc. If you're brand new to hobby modeling and painting, swing by Najáda’s painting club every other Friday. You can also join global Conquest community on Official Discord to find community in your country!

Why start with First Blood?

1. Games last 1.5 to 2 hours – perfect for an after-work or post-school session without missing dinner. 

2. Armies usually contain 10 to 30 models. That might sound like a lot, but compared to 150 models in typical epic-scale wargames, it's quite manageable. 

3. You can fit your army in a box or backpack – no need for the “fridge-sized” containers seen elsewhere. Building a First Blood army is relatively low-cost. You can start playing smaller battles with a Starter Box for about 1,250 CZK. With another 2,000 CZK, you’ll have a solid army.

The beauty of Conquest is that First Blood and The Last Argument of Kings may be different rulesets, but they use the same models and often share key mechanics. Once First Blood grabs you, you can expand your army freely and eventually play The Last Argument of Kings with it too.

If Conquest has caught your interest, take a look at the First Blood Cohorts — they're a great starting point for learning the game and building your first army for First Blood. If you're already sure Conquest is the game for you, check out the Supercharged Starter Sets. These sets allow you to create multiple combinations of full 1,000-point armies for First Blood, and you can also use them to build an army for a small game of The Last Argument of Kings.

Conquere together! 🤜🤛