Grab your oars and sharpen your axe, because in Raids, you take command of a Norse crew in search of glory and wealth! The game puts players on a nautical journey, sailing from island to island to collect everything a respectable viking desires: more warriors for the crew, mysterious runes, and valuable goods. But don't think the voyage will be smooth, as the path is contested and aggression is part of the deal.

The dynamics revolve around four intense rounds. At the start of each, tiles are distributed along the path that everyone must follow. On your turn, you can choose an empty spot to claim the available item or, if you're feeling bold, try to kick out someone who is already there. That's where the fight begins: to attack, you sacrifice one viking. The defender then must decide whether to sacrifice two of their own warriors to resist or retreat. If they resist, the ball goes back to the attacker, who must sacrifice three vikings or give up the invasion. Someone always ends up leaving the space, but the cost can be high.

The strategy lies in managing what you collect. Gathering runes of the same type ensures extra points, while goods can be sold for profit at the end of the round. If you want to face monsters for points, you'd better have accumulated axes to increase your odds of victory. At the end of each round, those who dominated the most important areas (majority bonuses) take the lead. After four rounds, whoever has accumulated the highest total score is crowned the greatest Viking leader in the region. It's a game of risk, calculation, and a lot of fighting for space, where knowing when to fight and when to retreat is the key to victory.