Dice of Pirates (2018) Board Game

Dice of Pirates is a board game released in 2018, designed by Darrin Michelson and Kris Quistorff, with artwork by Thing 12 Games. The game falls into the categories of Dice, Fighting, Nautical, and Pirates, and features mechanics such as Dice Rolling, Push Your Luck, and Take That. The game is suitable for players aged 9 and above, and can accommodate 2 to 6 players, with a runtime of 15-30 minutes.

Game Components of Dice of Pirates

Dice: 7 dice per player, featuring various sides such as treasure tokens, kraken, skull and crossbones, and ships.

Treasure Tokens: Used to track players’ progress and wealth.

Loot Tokens: Allow players to plunder treasures from their opponents.

Player Boards: Not explicitly mentioned, but implied for tracking individual player progress.

How To Setup Dice of Pirates

To set up the game, each player starts with a certain number of treasure tokens; the first player begins with one token, while other players start with two. Additionally, each player receives a set of seven dice. The game includes loot tokens that players can earn and use to steal treasure from their opponents.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Rolling: Players roll their seven dice to determine various actions such as sending ship dice to opponents, earning treasure tokens, or triggering the kraken.

Ship Mechanics: Players can send ship dice to opponents, forcing them to roll and resolve the outcome.

Raiding: Players can use skull and crossbones dice to raid their opponents and steal treasure tokens.

Kraken Mechanic: Rolling six or more kraken-sided dice allows a player to unleash the kraken, which can result in losing treasure, earning loot tokens, or redistributing dice among players.

Objective: The goal is to be the first player to accumulate seven treasure tokens without holding three kraken-sided dice.

Player Experience

**Dice of Pirates** offers a dynamic and interactive experience, with a blend of luck and strategy. Players must navigate the risks of rolling dice that could either bring them wealth or trigger the kraken’s wrath. The game’s raiding mechanics add a layer of social interaction, as players can steal from each other, making it a fun and competitive experience.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: The game combines dice rolling with strategic elements, keeping players engaged.

Social Interaction: The raiding and ship mechanics encourage player interaction and bluffing.

Simple to Learn: The game rules are straightforward, making it accessible to new players.

Replayability: The random nature of dice rolls ensures that each game is different.

Cons

Luck Factor: The game relies heavily on luck, which may not appeal to players seeking more strategic depth.

Abstract Theme: While the game has a pirate theme, it remains somewhat abstract and does not deeply immerse players in the pirate world.

Personal Thoughts on Dice of Pirates

**Dice of Pirates** is ideal for players who enjoy light-hearted, fast-paced games with a mix of luck and strategy. It’s perfect for families or casual game nights, as it’s easy to learn and plays quickly. However, players seeking more complex strategic gameplay might find it lacking in depth. Overall, it’s a fun addition to any game collection for those who enjoy dice games and a touch of pirate adventure.

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