Explorers of the North Sea: Rocks of Ruin

Garphill Games, Pixie Games, Renegade Game Studios · Board game · 2018
1–5 · best 4 Solo 60–80 min Weight 2.2/5
8.5 rating Ludopedia
7.9 rating BGG
Buy · from US$ 23.99
8.5 rating Ludopedia
7.9 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you already love The North Sea Trilogy, this expansion is a gem! "Rocks of Ruin" adds more tactical options and an extra thrill with shipwrecks and fortresses.

Highlights
  • More strategic options
  • Components for 5 players
  • Increased replayability
  • Expands the base game
Keep in mind
  • Requires the base game
  • Can increase complexity
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Set sail for new adventures with "Explorers of the North Sea: Rocks of Ruin"! Storms have left a trail of destruction, with shipwrecks and precious cargo scattered across rocky shores. It's time to show who rules the seas and seize these unique opportunities. Will you focus on salvaging wrecks and recovering lost treasures, or will you target enemy fortresses to secure fame and glory? This expansion not only adds components for a fifth player but also brings new elements to shake up your games. Discover three new building types to expand your settlements, 24 new map tiles ensuring each game is different, and five individual player boards, each with its own quirks. Additionally, two new captain cards with unique abilities and shipwreck and fortress tokens add that special touch to your expeditions. "Rocks of Ruin" intensifies exploration and competition, adding more strategy and replayability to the already acclaimed "Explorers of the North Sea". If you enjoy games with resource management, map exploration, and a touch of strategic combat, this expansion is for you. Prepare your crew, adjust your sails, and dive headfirst into this Viking saga!

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–5 players
1 OK
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST
5 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Series: Medieval Trilogies (Garphill Games) Series: The North Sea Trilogy (Garphill Games) Theme: Vikings
Publisher Garphill Games, Pixie Games, Renegade Game Studios, Schwerkraft-Verlag
Designer Shem Phillips
Artist Mihajlo Dimitrievski

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

3,564owners
269wishlist
61want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
Do I need the base game "Explorers of the North Sea" to play "Rocks of Ruin"?
Yes, absolutely! "Rocks of Ruin" is an expansion and adds new elements to the base game; it's not a standalone game.
How many players does this expansion support?
It adds components for a fifth player, so the game can now be enjoyed by 1 to 5 explorers.
Does the game become much more complicated with this expansion?
The complexity increases slightly, but in a gradual way. The new mechanics are intuitive and integrate well with the base game, especially if you are already familiar with it.
How long does a game take with the expansion?
The playtime remains similar to the base game, generally between 60 and 80 minutes, depending on the number of players and their experience.
What are the main new features that "Rocks of Ruin" brings?
The expansion introduces shipwrecks to plunder, fortresses to attack, new building types, additional map tiles, and the ability to play with up to 5 people.
Is the language dependency high?
No, the language dependency is considered low. There is very little text on the cards and components, making it easy to memorize or translate quickly.