Starting Pike & Shotte requires a starter set. These sets typically include infantry, cavalry, and artillery units, along with detailed game rules. You'll also need a playing area – typically a 6x4 feet table – with terrain pieces for added realism. Once you have your set, you'll assemble and paint your miniatures, set up your battlefield, and you're ready for your first skirmish!

Pike & Shotte uses an intuitive turn-based system. Each turn is divided into phases: Command Phase, Shooting Phase, and Combat Phase. In the Command Phase, you issue orders to your units. During the Shooting Phase, units may fire ranged weapons, and finally, the Combat Phase is where hand-to-hand clashes happen.

Dice play a crucial role, deciding everything from the success of your orders to the outcome of your ranged and melee attacks. A game of Pike & Shotte can be as unpredictable and chaotic as the battles it seeks to emulate!

Indeed, Pike & Shotte is much more than simple pitched battles. The rulebook includes various scenarios, such as ambushes, sieges, and rescue missions, each providing a unique tactical challenge. The game's flexibility also encourages players to design their scenarios, allowing you to recreate historical battles or let your imagination run wild.