7th Sea: City of Five Sails (2023) Board Game

7th Sea: City of Five Sails is a board game set in the fantasy world of 7th Sea, a popular role-playing game created by John Wick. The game is designed by a team of talented individuals including Jason Ballard, Zulkarnaen Hasan Basri, Jason Behnke, and many more. The game immerses players in a world of pirates, swashbuckling adventures, and high seas intrigue.

Game Components of 7th Sea: City of Five Sails

Faction decks: Each player has a 40-card deck representing their faction.

City deck: A shared, randomized 30-card deck representing the city’s events and characters.

Character cards: 5 pre-selected Characters per player.

Scheme cards: 5 pre-selected Schemes per player to shape the game.

Location cards: Representing core locations in the city.

Leader cards: Each player has a leader with unique abilities.

How To Setup 7th Sea: City of Five Sails

To set up the game, each player selects 5 Characters and 5 Schemes. A neutral card from the City deck is added to each location. Players shuffle their Faction decks and draw a starting hand. The City deck is shuffled and placed within reach of both players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Dueling: Players engage in back-and-forth duels using card combat values.

Card management: Cards can be played for effects, used in duels, or discarded to pay costs.

Location control: Players race to recruit, equip, or exploit neutral cards at locations.

Character movement: Characters can be moved around the city to control locations.

Game Objective

Assassination: Kill the opponent’s Leader.

Domination: Control all 3 core locations at the end of the day.

Renown: Collect 7 or the most Renown over 5 days by controlling locations.

Player Experience

Playing **7th Sea: City of Five Sails** involves strategic planning and quick decision-making. The game requires thinking multiple moves ahead, especially when deciding which Scheme to play and how to utilize the City deck cards. The discard mechanism to pay for other cards adds depth to deckbuilding and gameplay. The tension between dueling and managing cards keeps the game engaging.

Pros

Engaging gameplay: The combination of City cards and Scheme cards creates a dynamic and strategic experience.

Deep card management: The ability to discard cards to pay costs and the gamble mechanic add layers to the game.

Thematic appeal: The setting and lore draw players into the world of 7th Sea.

Expansions and updates: Regular updates and new expansions promise continuous improvement and new content.

Cons

Limited deckbuilding options: Currently, there is limited diversity in building faction decks, though this is expected to improve with new expansions.

Learning curve: It may take a few games for players to fully grasp the mechanics and flow.

Personal Thoughts on 7th Sea: City of Five Sails

**7th Sea: City of Five Sails** is ideal for fans of strategic card games and those who enjoy the swashbuckling theme of the 7th Sea universe. It’s a great choice for players looking for a game that combines deep card management with quick, snappy gameplay. The game’s accessibility and the option to try it via Tabletop Simulator make it an attractive option for both new and experienced gamers. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking a highly complex or collectible card game experience.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.