“JAMAICA: Finish the Pirate Race with the Biggest Fortune” is an article that provides an overview and guide to the rules of the board game Jamaica. The objective of the game is to finish the pirate race with the biggest fortune. Designed for 2 to 6 players, each player takes on the role of a pirate and must strategically navigate the game board, load their ship with resources such as gold and food, and engage in battles with other players. The article walks readers through the setup and gameplay of Jamaica, including the use of action cards, treasure cards, and dice rolls. The game concludes when a player reaches the “Port Royal” square, and the winner is determined by the number of points earned through gold doubloons, treasure cards, and the player’s ship position on the board. With clear instructions and detailed explanations, this article serves as a valuable resource for both novice and experienced players of the engaging game Jamaica.
Objective of Jamaica
The objective of Jamaica is for players to finish the pirate race with the biggest fortune. Each player takes on the role of a pirate and competes against others to accumulate the most wealth by the end of the race.
Number of Players
Jamaica is designed for 2 to 6 players, making it suitable for both small and large groups. This allows for a dynamic and competitive gameplay experience.
Materials
To play Jamaica, players will need the following materials:
- Rulemap (map): The rulemap serves as the game board and provides the layout of the race track.
- Compass token: The compass token is used to determine the Captain, who takes the lead and makes strategic decisions.
- 6 pirate ships with their Action card deck: Each player will select a pirate ship and corresponding deck of Action cards.
- 6 holds plates: The holds plates represent the storage capacity of each player’s ship, where resources and treasures can be kept.
- 9 pirate lair tokens: Pirate lair tokens are placed on the designated pirate lairs on the map.
- 12 treasure cards: Treasure cards add an element of chance and variety to the game, providing opportunities for players to gain valuable items or face challenges.
- 2 action dice: The action dice are rolled to determine the actions that can be performed during a player’s turn.
- 1 combat die: The combat die is used during fights between players.
- Cannon tokens: Cannon tokens are used as a resource in combat situations.
- Food tokens: Food tokens represent a necessary resource for movement and can be collected throughout the game.
- Gold doubloon tokens: Gold doubloon tokens serve as the currency of the game, representing wealth and can be acquired through various actions.
Type of Game
Jamaica is a track-based pirate race game. Players navigate their ships along the race track, taking actions and making strategic decisions to outmaneuver opponents and accumulate wealth.
Audience
Jamaica is suitable for family players, providing a fun and engaging gaming experience for players of various ages. The game combines elements of strategy, luck, and competition, making it enjoyable for both casual and more experienced gamers.
Overview of Jamaica
Background of the game
In Jamaica, players take on the roles of pirates participating in a race organized by Henry Morgan, the former pirate turned Governor of Jamaica. The game is set in 1678, thirty years after Morgan’s ascent to power. In a bid to determine the most prestigious pirate, Morgan invites all his former pirate colleagues to participate in a race around the island, where tricks and strategy are allowed.
Setting up the game
To set up Jamaica, each player must first choose a pirate character. Each pirate character comes with a corresponding Action card deck and pirate ship. Players also receive holds plates, which represent the storage space on their ships. The holds plates are used to store resources and treasures throughout the game.
The game board, in the form of a rulemap, is placed in the center of the table, and pirate lair tokens are placed on the designated pirate lair spaces on the map. The treasure cards are shuffled into a draw pile, with one card placed on each pirate’s lair. The excess cards are discarded. The movement dice and combat die are placed on their designated positions on the rulemap.
Players then place their pirate ships on the starting square, Port Royal, to begin the race.
Gameplay
Determining the Captain
At the start of each turn, the compass token is used to determine the Captain for that round. The Captain is the first player to act and has certain advantages and responsibilities during their turn.
Rolling and placing movement dice
The Captain rolls the two movement dice and chooses the order in which they are placed on the navigation box. One die represents the morning movement, and the other represents the evening movement. The placement of the dice determines the available movement options for all players during the round.
Revealing and performing actions
Starting with the Captain and proceeding clockwise, each player reveals one of their Action cards and performs the corresponding actions based on the result of the movement dice. The actions include advancing or moving back the ship, loading resources into the holds, and more.
Refilling hand and passing compass
After completing their actions, each player refills their hand by drawing a card from their draw pile. The compass token then passes to the next player, who becomes the new Captain for the next round.
Explaining action card symbols
Action cards in Jamaica feature various symbols that represent different actions and effects. These symbols include green and red arrows for movement, gold doubloons and food symbols for loading resources, cannon symbols for combat, and more. It is important for players to understand the meanings of these symbols to make optimal decisions during the game.
Moving and paying costs
When moving the ship, players must consider the costs associated with the destination square. These costs are indicated in either food or gold doubloons and must be paid to progress. If a player cannot afford the cost, they must return to the last square they can afford.
Treasure cards effects
Treasure cards have various effects that can impact gameplay. Some treasure cards positively affect a player’s score at the end of the game, while others have negative effects. Players must manage their treasure cards strategically to maximize their final score.
Hoisting colors and resolving fights
If a player’s ship ends its movement on a square occupied by another ship, a fight occurs. The outcome of the fight is determined by rolling the combat die and using any cannon tokens. The winner of the fight can choose to steal resources or treasures from the defeated player.
End of Game
The game ends when a player reaches the Port Royal square. At that point, each player calculates their points based on gold doubloons in their holds, treasure cards, and the value of the square their ship is on. The player with the highest number of points is declared the winner and the most famous pirate.
Additional Content
In addition to the comprehensive rules and gameplay overview, the article can include examples and explanations to provide further clarity on specific mechanics and strategies. It can also suggest similar posts or other resources for readers interested in exploring more board games or related topics.
