# Dead Reckoning

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2022
- **BGG Rating**: 8.1
- **BGG Rank**: #362
- **Players**: 1-4 (Best with: 3)
- **Duration**: 90-150 min
- **Weight**: 3.44 / 5
- **Designers**: John D. Clair
- **Artists**: Ian O'Toole
- **Publishers**: Alderac Entertainment Group, Korea Boardgames, Tabletop KZ, YOKA Games
- **Categories**: Exploration, Fighting, Pirates, Territory Building
- **Mechanics**: Area Majority / Influence, Area Movement, Cube Tower, Deck, Bag, and Pool Building, Layering, Modular Board, Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game

## Verdict
Dead Reckoning is the pirate game you’ll love, with plenty of exploration and cube tower battles that test your strategy.Cube tower combatCrew building with transparent upgradesModular board changes each gameLong playtime, 90‑150 minRequires focus on resource managementHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
Dead Reckoning is an exploration, piracy, and influence game that puts you at the helm of a Caribbean ship, ready to conquer islands and loot. Each game starts with a largely blank map; as you sail, new areas are revealed and the setting comes alive. The core of the game revolves around three pillars: territorial control, crew building, and ship customization.

To control islands, you must master *Area Majority/Influence*, placing influence pieces to claim each territory. Movement happens in blocks, letting you plan routes and avoid unnecessary clashes. When rivalry kicks in, combat takes place in a cube tower, where each cube represents crew skills or ship bonuses. Winning a battle depends on who has more cubes stacked, so planning your tower composition is key.

Deck, bag, and pool building is another highlight: instead of buying new cards, you upgrade existing ones by placing transparent advancement cards in their sleeves. This creates a continuous evolution system, making your crew stronger each round. The modular board ensures no two games are alike, as map pieces can be rearranged for strategic variety.

The game also features a scenario/mission/campaign structure that keeps the narrative alive. As you progress, new content unlocks, adding layers of depth to the experience. In short, Dead Reckoning blends exploration, tactical combat, and crew building into a package that keeps your crew and ship ready for the next adventure.

## FAQ
### What is the ideal playtime for Dead Reckoning?
A game typically lasts between 90 and 150 minutes, depending on the number of players and the complexity of decisions.

### How many players can join?
The game supports 1 to 4 players, allowing solo or group play.

### What is the difficulty level?
Card-building and cube tower combat require strategic planning, but the learning curve is gradual.

### What components are included?
In addition to the modular board, there are ship tokens, crew cards, battle cubes, influence pieces, and transparent upgrade cards.

### Is Dead Reckoning suitable for beginners?
Yes, though it helps if players have some experience with card‑building or modular board games.

### Does the game have expansions?
Yes, the scenario/mission/campaign system unlocks new pieces and cards as you progress.

## Price Comparison
### Best International Offers
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 79.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6962959&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 119.52 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3434799&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
  - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/83515/dead-reckoning?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com