Salt & Sail (2021) Board Game

Salt & Sail is a board game released in 2021 by Kazoodoo Games. It falls under the categories of Economic, Exploration, and Nautical games, catering to players aged 12 and above. The game involves deck, bag, and pool building mechanics, along with modular board setup, open drafting, and variable player powers.

Game Components of Salt & Sail

16 Multi-Hex Tiles

11 Ship Miniatures

Over 160 Cards

Over 200 Tokens

5 Skill Bags.

How To Setup Salt & Sail

To set up Salt & Sail, players start by constructing a modular hex board using various maps included in the rulebook. This allows for customization of game length and depth based on player count and time allowances. Each player selects a ship and an initial set of tokens, and the Skill Bags are prepared with tokens to dictate success in various skills. Officers with unique abilities and tools are also made available for recruitment and purchase.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drafting: Players draw cards to make decisions and take actions.

Deck, Bag, and Pool Building: Players use Skill Bags with tokens to determine success, and can modify these bags to augment their skills.

Modular Board: The game board is constructed differently each time, offering varied gameplay.

Variable Player Powers: Players can recruit Officers with unique abilities and purchase ships and tools with different strengths and weaknesses.

Objective: The goal is to make exotic discoveries, defeat pirates, navigate storms, and accumulate Fame Points (Victory Points) by reaching and resolving Rumor cards on the board.

Player Experience

In Salt & Sail, players take on the roles of intrepid captains during the great Age of Sail, competing to become the world’s most famous explorer. The game is filled with adventure elements such as hiring Officers, purchasing new ships and tools, and selling goods and treasure to fund expeditions. However, players must also be vigilant about encounters with pirates and storms, as well as the competitive efforts of other player captains trying to steal the glory.

Pros

Customizable Gameplay: The modular board and variable player powers offer high replayability.

Deep Strategy: The combination of economic management, exploration, and competitive discovery provides a rich and engaging gameplay experience.

Thematic Immersion: The game’s setting and mechanics effectively transport players to the Age of Sail.

High Interaction: Players must constantly adapt to the actions of their opponents and the challenges of the game world.

Cons

Complexity: The game has a moderate to high level of complexity, which may deter casual players.

Length: The game can take up to 90 minutes, which may be too long for some players.

Limited Customer Reviews: As of now, there are limited customer reviews, making it harder to gauge the broader player experience.

Personal Thoughts on Salt & Sail

Salt & Sail is ideal for players who enjoy strategic economic games with strong exploration and competitive elements. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate modular board designs and variable player powers, as these features add significant replay value. While it may not be the best fit for casual or younger players due to its complexity and length, it is a great choice for experienced board game enthusiasts looking for a challenging and immersive experience.

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