The Game:
Pirates of the Spanish Main is the first in a series of miniature tabletop sea battles from Seattle based Wiz Kids Inc. Wiz Kids refer to these as constructible strategy games, which describes the fact that you construct your boats from the parts supplied, and go on to construct your own navy from subsequent kits.
Package Contents:
Each small kit is packaged similar to collectible cards (usually sold via the same outlets) and priced at under $5. A single kit is designed to allow two players to have a basic naval battle game in a small area; on a desk or table, on an airline, in a tent or even on a sickbed.
Each kit consists of:
- Two 3D sailing ships to construct (from opposing sides)
- a terrain/island card,
- a treasure or crew card
- a rules sheet
- a tiny die.
How You Play:
The fast paced games allow lots of plots and strategies as you race your ship to outsail others and collect gold and treasure. The series has 68 different ships and 54 different treasure and crew cards which gives lots of opportunity for fleet building and plundering. There are British and Spanish ships and numerous pirates.
Rules of engagement are fairly simple for initial games, but each kit also includes a rules set to allow larger navies and more actions as you collect more sets and ships. The company website also has rules for setting up larger games with more players and visual instructions for non readers.
Who can Play and Where?:
The inexpensive price of the kits, the fact that the pieces are collectible and tradeable and can be used with subsequent special set issues, means these little kits are a great way to learn introductory (and higher levels) of naval warfare. Pirates appeal to all ages, so these are games which can be played across generations and with different size groups. The tiny, lightweight parts, mean they can be played onboard flights, buses, or on a tent floor after a hard day of hiking and the cost of the kits means they can be used to start an icebreaking game at a pirate themed party for any age group.
Who are they Designed For?:
There is no evil vs good side in these games. The careful explanation of seagoing terminology on the cards and in the rules is followed up with written pirate stories on the website as a means of encouraging research and reading about the field and the historical time period. The little ships are so appealing that you can see them sailing across university desks and boardroom tables. Everyone likes to engage their cannons and bring down an opponent's mast.
How Many Sets do you Need?:
Each set allows a two player game, and sets can be combined in numerous ways for group play. The company plans to continue introducing more themed sets with different sub themes and parts. The intention is to allow different sets to be played as single themed games, or combined with earlier sets.
Things to Consider:
If you become a serious aficionado, you may want to invest in a larger die! The one included in the sets is very tiny (but it does let you play from the pack!)
The ships are easy to construct but younger players may need assistance to fit the tabs into the slots. The company has good building instructions on their website.
