Before the Wind

What to Expect

Players take on the role of traders collecting goods and delivering them to ships in the harbor. Managing your hand and bidding in auctions is key to assembling the right combinations of goods before the fleet sets sail. Timing is crucial, as the fleet leaves when storage is full and the wind is favorable. The game blends hand management, set collection, and open drafting into an engaging race against time.

Who Is This Game For?

Before the Wind is suitable for players aged 10 and up and is considered a medium-weight game. With a playtime around 75 minutes, it fits well into an evening game session. Prior experience with economic card games helps but it's also accessible to families interested in strategic mechanics.

How It Works

Players draft goods cards openly and use hand management to fill warehouses. Auctions allow acquiring resources or advantages needed to prepare goods combinations for ships. The goal is to stay 'before the wind' by timing your deliveries before the fleet departs. Set collection is central to assembling correct cargoes for the ships.

What Makes It Special

Designed by Torsten Landsvogt, Before the Wind was runner-up for the 2007 Fairplay À la carte award. It combines auction/bidding and hand management mechanics within a nautical colonial setting. Part of the Amsterdam game family, it features a unique timing race element.

Awards

• 2007 Fairplay À la carte Runner-up — Nominated

Setting & Atmosphäre

Set in a colonial Dutch harbor, players load trading ships with goods. The nautical and economic theme drives the gameplay.

Tipp für Einsteiger

Focus on timing and combining goods without committing too early.

Häufige Fragen

Fazit

Before the Wind is recommended for players seeking a strategic economic card game with a focus on hand management and auctions. Its timing mechanic adds depth but requires concentration and planning.