Pirates vs. Ninjas (2012) Board Game

Pirates vs. Ninjas is a board game released in 2012, designed by Adam Bain and published by Wiggles 3D. The game pits two iconic factions against each other in a battle for supremacy. With dice rolling and variable player powers, players must strategize and outwit their opponents to emerge victorious.

Game Components of Pirates vs. Ninjas

18 Dice: 9 red Pirate dice and 9 black Ninja dice, each with faces representing different weapons and ranks.

2 Cups and Lid Attachment: For rolling and storing the dice, which can also be used to create a carrying case.

4 Interchangeable Battle Guides: Provide additional strategies and rules.

Instructions: Detailed guide on how to play the game.

Carrying Case: The lid and cups can be attached to create a portable case.

How To Setup Pirates vs. Ninjas

To set up the game, separate the dice into Pirate and Ninja factions and place them in their respective cups. Randomly determine which player will play as the pirates and which as the ninjas. Both players roll all 9 of their dice into the Combat Zone and sort them by ranks. Each player can only have one Hero (Rank 5) in the Combat Zone at any time.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Objective: Destroy the opponent’s last die to win.

Turn Structure: Each turn, a player must perform one action: Attack or Rally.

Attack: Use dice to destroy enemy dice based on rank and special abilities.
– Move a single die to destroy an enemy die of lower or equal rank.
– Use three matching dice to destroy an enemy die of exactly one rank higher.
– Utilize special abilities of Ninja Master, Pirate Captain, Jolly Roger, or Kuji Shrine.

Rally: Move used dice from the Combat Zone to the Rally Cup to re-roll them later.

Zones: The game features a Combat Zone for attacks, a Rally Cup for used dice, and a Scoring Zone for destroyed units.

Special Abilities:

Pirate Captain: Force opponents to rally all their dice.

Jolly Roger: Destroy all Rank 6’s in all Combat Zones.

Ninja Master: Destroy a Hero unit in any Combat Zone.

Kuji Shrine: Move all Ninja dice to the Rally Cup and attack on the next turn.

Player Experience

Pirates vs. Ninjas offers a fun and strategic dice-rolling experience where players must balance attacking and rallying their forces. The game requires tactical thinking and a bit of luck, making each match exciting and unpredictable.

Pros

Portable: The game comes with a carrying case, making it easy to take anywhere.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.

Strategic Depth: Various special abilities and rank systems add complexity to the gameplay.

Quick Games: Matches can be completed within a short time frame.

Cons

Luck Factor: The dice rolls can be unpredictable, which may not appeal to players who prefer full control.

Limited Replayability: The game mechanics, while fun, may become repetitive after several plays.

Personal Thoughts on Pirates vs. Ninjas

Pirates vs. Ninjas is ideal for fans of light, strategic games who enjoy dice rolling and simple, yet engaging gameplay. It’s a great choice for family game nights or quick matches with friends. However, it might not be the best fit for those seeking complex, long-term strategy games.

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