Merchant & Marauders Rules (PDF)
Players: 2 to 4
Ages: 13 and up
Length: 120 – 180 minutes
Contents: board, 26 plastic miniature ships (5 different ship types), over 250 cards (including 16 unique captains), over 190 die cut tokens, 4 die cut treasure chests, rules.
Perfect if you like… Pirating, pillaging, plundering, lengthy and involved gameplay, Jamiaca board game
Find your calling as a captain on the Caribbean high seas. Pillage and plunder as you take on the mantle of a pirate or play it safe as a stalwart merchant.
Win by earning 10 glory points through pirating, discovering the truth about rumors, completing missions, stashing gold at your home port or transporting cargo to other ports of call.
Each turn involves three actions per player from the following: move, scout and port.
Scouting is used to locate other merchants, pirates and non-player captains in your sea area and battle them if you choose to. Combat at sea isn’t necessary for victory, but if can be rewarding as you battle to destroy and plunder.
When you port you can complete various tasks at your local port such as purchase goods, sell your cargo, acquire rumors, purchase upgrades for your ship, claim a mission or stash gold for glory points (in your home port only).
Each player chooses their own direction in this game – pirate or merchant or a little of both. After a long, fulfilling struggle you’ll earn enough glory points to declare victory.
Merchants & Marauders is not a game for the faint of heart. It requires endurance, strategy and a modicum of luck in battle to score a victory over your opponents.
The lengthy, but necessary, game play strengthens the setting and intensity of battles. Even if you lose your current captain you can jump right back in with a new one continuing on from where the previous one left off.
Everything in this game looks and feels great including a well-written rule book. This attention to detail really enhances the enjoyment of the game.
This game is recommended for moderate to advanced board gamers though anyone can learn to play it. Miniature gaming fans will feel right at home here.
Designed by Christian Marcussen & Kasper Aagaard
Merchants & Marauders lets you live the life of an influential merchant or a dreaded pirate in the Caribbean during the Golden Age of Piracy. Seek your fortune through trade, discovering the truth about rumors, completing missions and, of course, plundering.
The game features a unique trade system and a thematic combat system, allowing for critical decisions and intense excitement. Modify your ship, buy impressive vessels, load deadly special ammunitions and hire specialist crew members.
Will your captain gain eternal glory and immense wealth or find his wet grave under the stormy surface of the Caribbean Sea?
