# Pirates of Maracaibo: Commanders ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2024 - **BGG Rating**: 8.2 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 1-4 (Best with: 3) - **Duration**: 30 min - **Weight**: 3.11 / 5 - **Designers**: Alexander Pfister, Ralph Bienert, Ryan Hendrickson - **Artists**: Christian Fiore, Fiore GmbH, Odysseas Stamoglou - **Publishers**: dlp games, Game's Up, Capstone Games, Ediciones MasQueOca, Geronimo Games, Rebel Sp. z o.o., YOKA Games - **Categories**: Expansion for Base-game, Exploration, Nautical, Pirates - **Mechanics**: Dice Rolling, Increase Value of Unchosen Resources, Multi-Use Cards, Pieces as Map, Race, Variable Player Powers ## Verdict The ultimate upgrade for those seeking more strategy and personality in the Caribbean!Unique commander abilitiesAwesome fortification combatIncreased tactical depthNew resources and tradingRequires base gameSlightly higher complexityHIGHLY RECOMMENDED ## Description If you've already tasted the freedom (and the loot) in Pirates of Maracaibo, get your ship ready because the Commanders expansion is here to level up your crew! This isn't just another card pack; we're talking about giving your captain a unique identity. With this expansion, you stop being just another privateer and step into the role of a notorious Commander, bringing special abilities that completely shift your gameplay rhythm and tactical decisions. But it doesn't stop there. The seas are getting more dangerous and lucrative. Now, you can equip your vessel with cannons, opening up a possibility that was previously off-limits: attacking island fortifications! Yes, you read that right. Those treasures protected by defenses can now be yours, provided you have the firepower and the strategy to back it up. Additionally, the expansion introduces new explorer boards for a strategic and visual upgrade, new cards to expand your options, and even rum trading, which promises a much more intense negotiation and resource dynamic. In short, Commanders transforms the original game into something deeper and more personalized. Resource management gains new layers of complexity, and the race for gold in the Caribbean has never been more strategic. If you enjoy feeling like your character truly has weight on the board and having options to deal with unexpected turns, this expansion is the upgrade your table has been waiting for. Hoist the anchor, adjust your sails, and prepare for the most epic raid of your life! ## How to Play Objective of the Game In Pirates of Maracaibo: Commanders, players take on the roles of pirate commanders navigating the Caribbean in search of fame and fortune. The goal is to accumulate the most victory points by defeating Forts, trading Rum, upgrading ships, and exploring the hinterland of Maracaibo. The game ends when a player reaches Maracaibo, and the player with the highest score wins. Preparation (Setup) Follow these steps to set up the game: Replace the base game Exploration Board with the new double-sided pieces, randomly selecting one side for each piece and placing them together with the Gulf on the left. Shuffle all base game and expansion Tier I and Tier II cards together and draw the indicated number for the market. Place the Rum Market tiles and Treasure Value tiles face up on the top left corner of all Location cards. Shuffle the Figurehead tiles and draw the indicated number for the market. Place Fort tiles face up on all Location cards and spaces marked with the Fort symbol on the Exploration Board. Add Fort tiles to the Gulf based on the number of players. Randomly give 2 Commander Boards to each player. Each player chooses 1 Commander and places the board Commander side up next to their Hideout Board. Place the remaining board face down. Place Cannon and Rum tokens within reach of all players. Return unused components to the box. Flow of the Game The game follows the base game rules with the following additions: Players benefit from their chosen Commander, who provides unique abilities. Players can activate special action scrolls on their Commander Boards by placing defeated Fort tiles or Rum tokens on designated activation spaces. Players can attack Forts on Location cards or in the Gulf during their turn. Players can activate Rum Markets to buy or trade Rum. Actions and How to Play Commander Boards Each player’s Commander Board provides unique abilities and special action scrolls. Players can activate these scrolls by placing defeated Fort tiles or Rum tokens on the designated spaces. Each scroll can only be activated once. Rum & Rum Markets When a player lands on a Location card with a Rum Market, they can activate it during the Activate Black Markets step of their turn. Players can either buy 1 Rum for 3 doubloons or trade 1 Rum to activate a special action scroll. Cannons Players can improve their Ship Upgrades with Cannons. Cannons count as Markers and help players attack Forts. Attacking a Fort When a player lands on a Location card with a Fort, they can attack it instead of performing the Location’s action. To attack: Calculate your Firepower (equal to your total Cannons). Roll all three Raiding dice and optionally reroll once. Select 1 die and add its value to your Firepower. If your Firepower is less than the Fort’s strength, you can bribe the guard by spending 5 doubloons or 3 victory points to reduce the Fort’s strength by 1. If your Firepower equals or exceeds the Fort’s strength, defeat it and gain the victory points shown on the Fort tile. End of Game and Scoring The game ends when a player reaches Maracaibo. Final scoring includes: Victory points from defeated Forts. Points from activated special action scrolls on the Commander Boards. Points from buried treasures, Quests, and other game elements. The player with the highest score wins. Tips for Winning Focus on upgrading your ship with Cannons to improve your ability to attack Forts. Activate Rum Markets strategically to gain Rum and unlock powerful special action scrolls. Choose a Commander whose abilities align with your strategy, whether it’s exploring, trading, or raiding. ## FAQ ### Can I play Commanders without the base game? Not at all! This is an expansion, so you must have the original Pirates of Maracaibo to play. ### Does the expansion make the game much harder? It adds depth and new options, which might increase complexity, but it doesn't necessarily make the game more punishingly difficult. ### How many players can use the expansion? It works perfectly for the same range as the base game: 1 to 4 players. ### How long does a game last with the expansion? The playtime remains similar to the original, around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your group's pace. ### What is the main strategic change? You gain asymmetric powers (each with a different style) and new ways to interact with the map, such as using cannons. ### Is the expansion good for solo players? Absolutely! The new commander abilities can make the solo mode even more dynamic and interesting. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 24.69 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6572679&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 25.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6418475&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 27.97 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6418398&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 27.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6456721&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 27.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6308777&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 27.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6999170&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 28.64 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6509144&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 29.64 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6918757&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 29.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6590000&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 30.29 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=5691712&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/74355/pirates-of-maracaibo-commanders?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com