How To Play: Pirates!

Overview

Ahoy, mateys! Ever been stuck on a plank wondering how to actually win at Pirates!? I sure have, and I’ve lost more gold than I’d like to admit. This guide covers the basics of how to play Pirates!, so you don’t embarrass yourself in front of your crew. I’ll also spill the best strategies for grabbing the treasure and outsmarting your cunning friends. Prepare to swashbuckle and, hopefully, win for once!

What’s in the box

• 1 Game Board
• 5 Pirate Ships
• 50 Gold Coins
• 25 Treasure Tokens
• 1 Wind Spinner
• 5 Crew Meeples
• 30 Crew Upgrade Cards
• 10 Sabotage Tokens
• 15 Loot Cards
• 1 Rulebook

How To Play Pirates!: Rules Summary

Setup

1. First, shuffle the map tiles and lay them out to build the mysterious island.
2. Next, give each player a ship meeple, three random crew cards, and a treasure chest.
3. Then, scatter the treasure tokens face down across the island. Don’t peek, unless you want everyone to call you a scallywag.
4. Lastly, place the storm cloud marker on the weather track. Prepare for chaos.

Gameplay

1. On your turn, you move your ship, search an island, or fight other pirates. You can even sing a sea shanty, but that’s optional.
2. To move, just tell everyone where you’re going and move your ship that many spaces. Simple as that.
3. If you land on a treasure, grab it! But watch out—other pirates are probably eyeing that shiny gold too.
4. To attack, shout, “Avast!” and roll two dice. Winner takes the loot or the loser’s hat (hat optional).

Winning

1. To win, you must collect three treasures and sail to your home port before anyone else.
2. If two players cross the finish line in the same round, the one with the most crew cards wins.
3. If you win, you have bragging rights until someone beats you next game.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If the storm cloud reaches the end of the track, everyone loses one treasure. If you have no treasure, just look dramatic.
2. Forming alliances is allowed, but backstabbing is half the fun. Just don’t get caught.
3. If you fall overboard (yes, it can happen), you skip your next turn while the others laugh.

So, there you have it—my full breakdown of How To Play Pirates!. I’ve played this with my friends, and let me tell you, it’s all fun and games until someone’s treasure goes overboard. Good luck, and may your doubloons never sink!

Best Pirates! Strategies

Bury Your Riches: Treasure Tricks to Rule Pirates!

Pick the Perfect Spot

First off, placing your treasure somewhere sneaky is key. If you plop it right in the open, my friend Lucy finds it every time. Instead, try these positions:

1. Hide near obstacles for cover.
2. Avoid spots close to starting zones.
3. Use corners but change it up each game.

Keep That Loot Moving

Secondly, changing your treasure’s spot saves you from greedy pirates. Consider:

1. Move treasure when enemies approach.
2. Use decoys, like fake chests.
3. Coordinate with allies to block pursuers.

Observe Opponents

Finally, watch where others search. This gives huge clues! Remember, learning how to play pirates! means getting sneaky with your booty and never letting the same trick work twice.

Upgrade Your Crew, Win the Game!

Focus On Special Abilities First

If you want to win Pirates!, never ignore special crew abilities. These powers can swing the battle in your favor right away.

1. Choose crew with skills that match your play style.
2. Upgrade those who can steal or sabotage.

Balance Strength and Speed

Next, think about movement and combat. Strong pirates protect your loot, but fast pirates steal it faster than Todd grabs the last donut.

1. Boost speed for quick treasure grabs.
2. Raise strength to scare off rivals.

Pick Versatile Pirates

Finally, pick crew who can handle more than one job. Sometimes, you need to adapt when a storm (or Becky) ruins your plans.

1. Look for pirates with more than one upgrade path.
2. Switch roles as the game changes.

Sink or Swim: Mastering Sabotage and Alliances in Pirates!

Sabotage Smarts

I once watched my friend Pete sabotage my plans with the grace of a drunken octopus. Since then, I’ve sharpened my sabotage game. Try these tips:

1. Always time your sabotage when opponents are distracted by loot.
2. Sabotage ships only if it slows down the leader—don’t waste a move on the stragglers.
3. Blame others for your sabotage to keep heat off yourself!

Making Alliances Work

During our last game, I made a deal with Sarah. She backstabbed me, but I learned a few lessons:

1. Choose allies carefully—never trust a pirate with shifty eyes.
2. Agree on clear terms and always be ready to break the deal if it’s no longer useful.
3. Keep your alliance secret until it’s too late for others to interfere.

Reading the Table

Finally, keep an eye on everyone’s moves. If two pirates whisper, expect trouble. Use what you spot to turn the tide in your favor. That’s How To Play pirates!

Set Sail and Steal the Show!

So, there you have it—my hard-earned wisdom after braving the stormy seas with my pals in Pirates! If your idea of fun is burying treasure, backstabbing your best friend, and arguing about who hid the fake parrot, then this game is for you. Remember, the key to winning isn’t just knowing How To Play pirates!, but also reading the table, keeping your crew smart, and laughing when your plan blows up (hopefully not literally). Grab your pirate hat, gather your crew, and go claim that loot. And don’t blame me if you get marooned!

Want to know what we think of Pirates!? Read our detailed review of Pirates! here