Pirate King!
Pirate King! at your next game night?
Add Pirate King! to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer Frankie Bu
- Publisher Boqueron Games , Detestable Games , funbot , Gigamic , Hachette Boardgames UK
- Illustration Ivan Escalante
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
Over seven rounds you pick a unique captain, build your deck and face market and monster cards in the center. Players reveal cards one by one simultaneously, choosing whether to risk another reveal or stop. Curses (skulls) punish too much greed while gold and swords let you buy powerful cards that grant points and abilities. Games are short and driven by tense risk decisions.
Who Is This Game For?
For 2–5 players aged 9+, this is a short family-friendly card game with tactical risk management. It suits groups who enjoy quick rounds, simultaneous decisions and light deck building rather than long strategic planning.
How It Works
Each game lasts seven rounds. Players choose a captain and an initial deck while market and monster cards are placed centrally. During play, cards are revealed simultaneously and one-by-one, with players deciding to continue or stop (Push Your Luck, Simultaneous Action Selection). Resources like gold and swords are used to acquire market or monster cards, advancing Deck Construction. Variable set-up changes the available cards between games.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Frankie Bu, Pirate King! mixes Deck-Construction with Push-Your-Luck and simultaneous action resolution, creating brisk, interactive games. The structure of seven rounds and a variable market setup gives clear pacing and replay variety. It appears in Gigamic's Beveled Boxes series.
Pro
- Very short playtime (about 15 minutes) for quick sessions
- Blend of deck building and push‑your‑luck creates tense choices
- Simultaneous action selection reduces downtime
- Variable set‑up boosts replayability
Contra
- Push‑your‑luck can feel swingy if luck dominates outcomes
- May be less dynamic with only 2 players than at higher counts
Setting & atmosphere
Pirate-themed: captains, sea monsters, gold and curses frame the seven-round competition. All thematic details come from the publisher description.
Tips for beginners
Manage risk conservatively in early rounds and focus on improving your deck via market choices rather than chasing every reward.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
No. The game is listed for 2–5 players; no solo mode is indicated.
How long does a game really take?
Duration is given as 15 minutes, making it a very short game suitable for quick plays.
What prior experience do I need?
Basic familiarity with card games and risk assessment helps; it's aimed more at families and casual players than experts.
How does this compare to similar games?
Pirate King! stands out by combining Deck Construction with Push‑Your‑Luck and simultaneous action selection for faster, more interactive rounds.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes. With a minimum age of 9 and short rounds, it's family‑friendly if players accept push‑your‑luck mechanics.
What mechanic makes it special?
The Push‑Your‑Luck element combined with Deck Construction and Simultaneous Action Selection defines the game's core experience.
Fazit
Good choice if you want a quick, risk-focused deck-builder with simultaneous play. Skip it if you prefer long, highly strategic sessions.
Pirate King! at your next game night?
Add Pirate King! to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Pirate King! to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
