Oh Captain! (2017) Board Game

Oh Captain! is a board game released in 2017 by Ludonaute. Designed by Florian Sirieix, the game is set in a fantasy world of pirates and treasure hunting. With its unique blend of bluffing, hand management, and trading mechanics, Oh Captain! offers players an exciting and immersive gameplay experience. The game can be played by 3 to 6 players, and has a runtime of 15 to 30 minutes, making it perfect for game nights with friends and family.

Game Components of Oh Captain!

Player Tokens: Captain and Explorer tokens

Coins: Used for transactions and scoring

Adventurer Sheets: Each with unique special abilities

Loot Cards: Including Pistol, Grappling Hook, Lizard, Lantern, and Purse cards

Egg Cards: Forces players to bluff

Nomads’ Arrival Card: Triggers the end of the game

The Cave: A card dispenser device

Captain’s Bottle: Holds the discard pile and allows the Captain to view the cards

How To Setup Oh Captain!

To set up Oh Captain!, players first choose a Captain who receives 5 Coins and the Captain’s Bottle. Other players start as Explorers with 3 Coins and 1 Purse card each. Each player selects an Adventurer sheet, with the Captain flipping their sheet to the non-ability side. The Loot deck is prepared by shuffling the Nomads’ Arrival card with three random cards and then shuffling the rest of the deck. These four cards are placed at the bottom of the deck, which is then placed in The Cave. The top three cards of the deck are drawn to form the starting discard pile under the Captain’s Bottle.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mutiny or Loyalty: Explorers can declare a Mutiny if they have more Coins than the Captain, or pledge Loyalty by giving a Coin to the Captain.

Exploration: Explorers draw a card from the deck, look at it secretly, and announce what they found, which can be the truth or a bluff.

Captain’s Choice: The Captain decides whether to buy the announced card or let the Explorer use it.

Challenges: Players can use their Adventurer abilities to influence the game.

End Game: The game ends when the Nomads’ Arrival card is drawn. Players reveal their Loot, compare sets for majority tokens, and score points from their cards and Coins.

Player Experience

Oh Captain offers a dynamic and engaging experience with its blend of bluffing, strategy, and social interaction. Players must balance their actions carefully, as the role of Captain can change through mutiny, and each Adventurer has unique abilities that can significantly impact the game. The game encourages strategic thinking and tactical bluffs, making it enjoyable for players who like a mix of luck and skill.

Pros

Dynamic Roles: The Captain and Explorer roles can change, adding variety and strategy.

Adventurer Abilities: Unique abilities for each Adventurer add asymmetry and excitement.

Bluffing Mechanics: Encourages social interaction and strategic deception.

Quick Games: Games are generally short, making it easy to fit in multiple rounds.

Cons

Luck Element: Drawing the right cards can be luck-based, which might frustrate some players.

Limited Depth: Some players might find the gameplay too light or simple.

Personal Thoughts on Oh Captain!

Oh Captain is ideal for groups of friends or families who enjoy light-hearted, interactive games with a touch of strategy. It’s perfect for those who appreciate bluffing and deception mechanics, and it works well as a filler game or a quick evening activity. However, players seeking more complex or deeply strategic games might find Oh Captain too simplistic.

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.