Wizkids Pirates Game

[Kepler]

I recently picked up a few packs of this game and had a couple of questions.

The rules say that you can only change direction bewteen measurement (i.e. the L and S). Can you change direction before or after a move? When you change diection is there a limit to how much?

I am think about getting a Lexan water hex map (from House Mouse) to play this on (L distance would be 2 hexes and S distance would be 1 hex). Would this size board (and hexes) work for this game? Or would it be too small?

[LilNewbie]

From the FAQ (it is worded much better than I could write it):

Q: If my ship has multiple segments of movement (i.e. S+L), when can I change heading?
A: You may determine a new heading at the beginning of each segment of movement, including the first.
Q: Is there a limit to the turning angle, such as 90° or 45°?
A: The physical shape of a ship’s hull provides the only limit to its turning angle. Most ship types are capable of turning up to 160° or more to either side.
Q: Can a ship continue movement after coming into contact with an island or another ship?
A: No, if a ship touches another ship or an island during her movement she must stop immediately, even if there are additional movement segments remaining.
Q: When can I use the “stern turn” ability of the Galley, Longship, or Schooner keywords?
A: The “stern turn” is considered the final segment of movement, so it is applied after the base move and any other movement bonuses, but before using abilities like those of a captain or explorer and before ramming.

Here is a link to the FAQ:

http://www.wizkidsgames.com/pirates/documents/Pirates_FAQ_February_2008.pdf

Here is a link to a site that explains how turning works in the game:

http://www.piratesrules.com/Turning.htm

The Lexan map would be nice since you don't have to mess with measuring but I think one would be a small map area...two would work better.

Newb.

[keglo]

Is this game any fun? I have seen it so many times and considered grabbing a pack just to see what it was about. I never have though. Is it a long drawn out and complicated game?

[LilNewbie]

Is this game any fun? I have seen it so many times and considered grabbing a pack just to see what it was about. I never have though. Is it a long drawn out and complicated game?

It's fairly easy to learn and fast. There are homebrewed rules on BGG to make it a deeper game experience too.

Newb.

[zanter]

Is this game any fun? I have seen it so many times and considered grabbing a pack just to see what it was about. I never have though. Is it a long drawn out and complicated game?
I highly recommend it. about 4 packs in enough for a full game, the claim that one pack is enough to play is stretching the truth. My only complaint is that the terrain never goes into effect, none in their right mind ever sails into it. But there are effects that make it better, as in moving the fog onto a ship, or "mind control" shoving them in there.

[mrbistro]

My only complaint is that the terrain never goes into effect, none in their right mind ever sails into it. But there are effects that make it better, as in moving the fog onto a ship, or "mind control" shoving them in there.
But that's what's great about it. If you know your opponent won't sail into fog, it can be a useful thing to hide behind. Also, I've sailed into fog as a last-ditch effort to escape annhilation. I don't remember if it worked or not, but I do recall my opponent groaning when he realized his job just got harder.

[Kepler]

From the FAQ (it is worded much better than I could write it):

Here is a link to the FAQ:

http://www.wizkidsgames.com/pirates/documents/Pirates_FAQ_February_2008.pdf

Here is a link to a site that explains how turning works in the game:

http://www.piratesrules.com/Turning.htm

The Lexan map would be nice since you don't have to mess with measuring but I think one would be a small map area...two would work better.

Newb.

Thanks. I also notice that the hexscape hexes are too small anyway. It would have been nice to get a mat that could do double duty.

Maybe I can get one of these with 3" hexes.

http://www.hotzmats.com/mat_1-sea-blue.html

But I don't want to spend money on a mat if I won't be playing it for long (I may lose interest). I guess I will just measure for now and pick up a mat later if I really like that game.

[LilNewbie]

If you don't want to measure and want to make a simple map grid, just use staggered squares which work exactly like hexes:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c110/LilNewbie/Misc/StaggeredSquares.jpg

Newb.

[Kepler]

If you don't want to measure and want to make a simple map grid, just use staggered squares which work exactly like hexes:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c110/LilNewbie/Misc/StaggeredSquares.jpg

Newb.

That's true. I could get a 3' by 4' sheet of paper printed up with 3" offset squares. That would work. Good idea.

[Legion]

Is it like that game with the pirate ships and the kraken? I never picked it up. So I don't really know what to think about it. And I finally changed my avatar! :D Its from Hellsing OVA 2.