Broadsides & Boarding Parties (1982)

Broadsides and Boarding Parties

Broadsides and Boarding Parties is a board game published by Milton Bradley in 1984 as part of their Gamemaster series. It was designed by Larry Harris and is the only game in the series to feature a two-player game. The game is set during the age of sail and is a light tactical wargame where two ships face off against each other on the sea.

Why is Broadsides and Boarding Parties Popular?

Broadsides and Boarding Parties is considered by many to be the ultimate pirate game. The game is significant because it is one of the few two-player games in the Gamemaster series and is set during the age of sail, which is a unique theme for a board game.Game Components of Broadsides and Boarding Parties

Game board

Two plastic ships

Two plastic masts

Two plastic sails

Two plastic ship’s wheels

Two plastic anchors

Two plastic cannons

Two plastic boarding parties

Two sets of dice

Rulebook

Game Setup of Broadsides and Boarding Parties

Each player chooses a ship and places it on the board.Each player places their masts, sails, ship’s wheel, anchor, and cannons on their ship.Each player rolls the dice to determine who goes first.

Gameplay Mechanics of Broadsides and Boarding Parties

Players take turns moving their ship and firing at the other ship to sink it.If the ships collide, players may take boarding parties onto the other ship to try to win.The game is won by sinking the other player’s ship or by capturing their ship with a boarding party.

Game Objective of Broadsides and Boarding Parties

The game is won by sinking the other player’s ship or by capturing their ship with a boarding party.Player ExperienceBroadsides and Boarding Parties is a light tactical wargame that is easy to learn and play. The game is fast-paced and can be played in about 60 minutes. The game is designed for two players, which makes it a great game for couples or friends who want to play a game together.Variations and

Conclusion

Broadsides and Boarding Parties is a unique and fun board game that is perfect for two players. The game is easy to learn and play, and the theme of the game is perfect for anyone who loves pirates or the age of sail. While the game may not be as complex as other games in the Gamemaster series, it is still a great game that is worth playing.

Game Components of Broadsides & Boarding Parties

Plastic Pirate Ships: A Spanish galleon and a pirate ship, which were added by Hasbro to enhance the physical components.

Movement Cards: Players use these to maneuver their ships.

Cannons and Crew: Ships are divided into sections with cannons and crew members.

Damage Cards: Track the damage to the ships and crew.

Dice: Used for resolving battles and cannon fire.

How To Setup Broadsides & Boarding Parties

To set up the game, players place their ships on the board and each secretly places three movement cards facedown on their side. The game board does not require complex assembly, but the large ship models can be challenging to disassemble for storage.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Movement Phase: Players simultaneously reveal their movement cards and move their ships accordingly. Cards can indicate forward, turn starboard, turn port, or drop anchor.

Cannon Fire: If ships come within one space, players can fire cannons. Each ship section has specific firing directions, and broadside fire is possible when ships are alongside each other.

Boarding Phase: If ships collide, the boarding phase begins. Players move their crew to engage in battles on the enemy ship. The objective is to eliminate the enemy captain to win the game.

Combat Resolution: Battles are resolved with dice rolls, with bonuses for having more crew members in a section. The goal is to be the first player to kill the opponent’s captain.

Player Experience

**Broadsides & Boarding Parties** offers a fun and fast-paced experience, suitable for players of all ages. Despite being designed for kids, the game has enough strategic depth to keep adults engaged. The game’s thematic division into broadside and boarding phases adds variety and excitement.

Pros

Thematic and Engaging: The game’s pirate theme and dual-phase gameplay make it highly thematic and enjoyable.

Simple yet Strategic: Easy-to-understand rules with enough strategy to keep gameplay interesting.

Visual Appeal: The large plastic pirate ships and detailed game components enhance the game’s visual appeal.

Cons

Luck-Dependent: The game involves a significant amount of randomness due to dice rolls, which can affect strategy.

Storage Issues: The large ship models can be difficult to disassemble and store.

Less Popular in Series: Compared to other games in the Gamemaster series, **Broadsides & Boarding Parties** had relatively little strategy and was less popular.

Personal Thoughts on Broadsides & Boarding Parties

This game is perfect for anyone looking for a light-hearted, tactical pirate adventure. It is particularly suited for families or casual gamers who enjoy thematic games without overly complex rules. However, serious gamers seeking deep strategy might find it lacking compared to other titles in the Gamemaster series.

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