Game: Blackbeard

Thread: Re: First time play question

UniversalHead — 2008-07-06T10:34:06+00:00

Not that I've played with more than 2 players, but does 'no AP players can use the same AP action during a single pirate player's turn' mean that only ONE AP event card can be played - or no more than one event card TYPE?

Truly, this is the worst written rulebook I've ever had the misfortune of reading ...

You're right there's not too many action cancelling cards - maybe the great difference was that all the pirates he had drawn had initiatives of 1 or 2, and I had 1 with 3, that made a big difference. I suppose he could have drawn another pirate, but there aren't many with 3, and that extra action when playing a diamond card seems to make a big difference.

Thread: Re: First time play question

Allos — 2008-07-06T05:58:09+00:00

UniversalHead wrote:
Finally got to play Blackbeard (2 player game) this evening and I had a general question. We found that we often just didn't have enough actions to do what we wanted, and as a result things seemed to move very slowly. For example, with just 2 action, you would have enough to find a merchant ship, then the other player would invariably play something that cancelled your second action (event card, warship whatever) and all you'd managed to do was make a ship easier for the other pirate to find.

Was it our imagination or where there just not enough actions to go around each turn?

In general, and especially at the beginning of the game, this shouldn't happen. With the exception of Debauchery and Revelry (and you must be in port for an AP player to use that on you anyway), I can't think of any AP events that outright cancel your actions. In addition, most warships are relatively too weak to defeat a pirate with no combat damage on him already.

This also shouldn't happen in games with more players because no AP players can use the same AP action during a single pirate player's turn.

Thread: Re: First time play question

degamer — 2008-07-06T05:32:12+00:00

Our group found the same thing. We've played with 4 and 5 people and it's just a mess. You attempt to do anything, and 5 people dog pile you AP actions, and NOTHING gets accomplished, ever.

Thread: First time play question

UniversalHead — 2008-07-06T01:13:36+00:00

Finally got to play Blackbeard (2 player game) this evening and I had a general question. We found that we often just didn't have enough actions to do what we wanted, and as a result things seemed to move very slowly. For example, with just 2 action, you would have enough to find a merchant ship, then the other player would invariably play something that cancelled your second action (event card, warship whatever) and all you'd managed to do was make a ship easier for the other pirate to find.

Was it our imagination or where there just not enough actions to go around each turn?

Thread: Re: What... I died after only 3 pirate actions!

BROG — 2008-07-06T11:13:24+00:00

Nice to see a sense of style in what people write here . . .

RHB

Thread: Re: How I retired as a Pirate on the 1st Day

JackFlash — 2008-07-05T10:12:33+00:00

That is so true!:)

Thread: Re: How I retired as a Pirate on the 1st Day

T-Mo — 2008-07-05T08:40:23+00:00

JackFlash wrote:
aye, matey! a good time was had by all! :D

The old adage better to be lucky than good ruled the day!

T-Mo

Thread: What... I died after only 3 pirate actions!

Nacho w Eagle Powers — 2008-07-05T02:11:34+00:00

[GAMEID=25685] So my buddy puts me on to this new game by GMT, Blackbeard "The Golden Age of Piracy." And I think "hey, I like pirates, war games, the box looks cool (shiny), nice counters and markers, and ooowww the game board looks like a treasure map. Sold! Check please. What! It won't be in until next week. Crap!”

“Ok, breath deep. There’s got to be a way to get my fix. Think think think think… the internet. How could I forget-oh yeah I’m suffering from gotta-getta-gameidis and I’m getting progressively more stupid. Go figure.”

“Now what? Oh yeah, the internet. Upstairs, I should go there. But wait, is anyone there already. Hurry hurry, beat the rush. Run man, run! The lights on what could that mean. Please no, please no, please no… and… peek around the corner … No! The wife is doing her… What is she doing? Who cares! I gotta get that computer for just a couple of minutes.”

“Um, Hunny, any chance of getting about 10 minutes on the computer.”

“I’m kinda busy.”

“Just a couple of minutes. It shouldn’t take…”

“Is this another game? You know you really have a problem.”

“I’ll just be a minute. I swear!”

“Ok… Don’t shove. I said OK. You don’t have to bowl me over.”

Type type type www.gmtgames.com. Click. Type type type. Click, “Excellent. They have the manual online”. Click, print, and “OOO’YYEEAAAHHHH. The good stuff… board game rules!”

Ring, ring. “Is it here yet?”

“No. Monday.”

Ring, ring. “Is it here yet?”

“No. I told you last time -Monday.”

Ring, ring. “No it’s not here. Call me tomorrow.”

“But, I didn’t ask any…”

“I’m not stupid. I knew what you were about to say. Call me Monday.”

Ring, ring. “It’s here…”

Click. Keys, keys. “Oh, here they are in my pocket. What a funny place for car keys. Oh well.” Car, Vroom, Vroom. Speed, speed. “Sorry about the red light officer …” Vroom, Vroom. Speed limit, speed limit. Stop.

“Why did you hang up on me?”

“Gotta get the game! Where…?”

“Here you go. One copy of Blackb... Wha… why are you crying? Man you are weird. Don’t come here anymore.” Slam.

“IIIIII’VVVVVEEEEE FFFFIINNNAALLLYYY GGGGOOOTTT IIITTTTTT!!!!!! All the time spent reading rules in my work restroom, all the angry glares from the wife and children and it is finally worth it all.”

“Where are those keys. Back in that pesky pocket. I am really going to have to talk to someone about this.” Vroom, Vroom. Speed limit, speed, speed limit. Stop. Open door, close door. Sit down and… and…

“Hunny, are you back? Can you help me with the… “

“Please, just let me punch out the counters first. 10 minutes, honest! And then you can ask me to do whatever you want.”

“Whatever?”

“Careful now, don’t tear those counters. You can do it. Just take it easy, go slow. Done!”

“Now what? Oh yeah, Chores! Let’s think about this shall I- chores or setting up the game. Well I don’t technically know if everything was correctly packaged until I at least setup the game. Then I will be able to see if there is anything major left out of the package. Yes that’s it and she said I could. Setting up is practically punching out the counters into their appropriate places on the board. That’s all I am doing is punching out counters and putting them in their most appropriate places. Yes, yes that’s what I’ll tell her.”

Flip, flip, read, read. “So let’s see solitaire rules, I play Blackbeard. Excellent.” Read, flip, read, flip. “Ok, ok… and System Pirate (SP) 1 yes you will be La Buse, nice, nice and SP 2 Condent and SP 3 why you’ll be Hornigold. What a great group of pirates. Yo Ho Yo Ho… Shush. If she hears me singing that’s a dead giveaway. “

Flip, flip, read, read. “Ok so now I go first. Why I believe I should play a Warship card that allows me up to my initiative’s worth of pirate actions. 3 sounds like my number. Yes, yes that would be wonderful my presssiiioouuss. And that is a nice little merchant vessel in Whydah. I believe it is time to loot and plunder.” Read, read, flip, flip, read, read, flip, read. “So, that’s how you find and loot a merchant OK. Let’s get out the dice.” Shake, shake. Role, role. “3. And that means, “ Read, Flip, Read, “I found it. Goodie.”

“Oops. I forgot Anti-pirate action (AP), why I believe should take care of that right now. Crap. Another warship car! Who shuffled this deck of cards. Man, some people’s children! Let’s see…” Read, Read, Flip, Read. Shake. Read. Shake, role “…and I got a 4, add my speed of 3, that’s 7. And let’ see what you got Mr. SP, a 3 plus your speed of 3, that’s only 6 too bad. Can’t catch me. Yo Ho Yo Ho… SHUSH. She’ll hear you.”

“Who are you talking to dear?”

“What Hunny? I’m not talking with anyone.”

“Ok, Ok. The booty is MINE. But first draw that AP and a “letter of Marque.”Not gunna to get me with that. Ha! So let see…” Read, flip, read … “and that’s 1200 doubloons for me and” read, read “And that poor hostage needs to get me some money, so I’ll save him for later.” Flip, Read. “And 9 Notoriety points. Excellent.”

And yes I believe that completes my second pirate action. One more to go… let see… There is another merchant ship, why not see what I can find. Let’s pull an AP card and see what happens. KC Surprise. What’s that…” Read, read, flip, flip. “Crap! This Sucks! Ok, it’s down to the die roles. Shake, Shake. 1 for me and crap, 5 for him. So…” Read, read, flip. “Crap. I’m dead, what now.” Read, read. “I can use a little cunning. Yes. Please, please. Crap! 2.” Read, read. “It’s over. Are you kidding me…”

So, all joking, idiotic references to my sanity and mental inabilities aside, the scenario I just reviewed actually happened earlier today. I sat down for my first run at Blackbeard and took 3 turns and was crushed by a King’s Commissioner.

The warship was drawn (like the scenario listed) after my first action. The second action allowed me to loot the ship without contest (my speed role won out against the warship) and then for my final pirate action the KC card was drawn and it blew me out of the water.

I was left looking at all the time to setup and read the rules with little good to say. Luckily, my wife is not like the fictitious version in the story and encouraged me to play again (that game lasted about 3.5 hours and I was left with 46 VP to the SP’s 105). It is possible I missed something in the rulebook, but my second go at playing the game did not bring that mistake to light.

Was the three action game worth it? Yes. Do I still like the game? Definitely! I am excited to intro this at my next game night. What would I recommend for anyone who is teaching themselves or thinking about purchasing the game?

1- Don’t over read the rulebook. I read the manual 2 ½ times before playing and still found myself uncertain what to do when the pieces were actually on the table. Because there is so much info in the book just get a feel for where information is placed in the rulebook as well as how the sections work. After that setup the game and give it a go.

2- Review section 4.5 and while playing that first game have your pirate and the SP do each of those actions multiple times. I found that after finding and looting a ship 3 or 4 times the flow came to me and I needed the rulebook less and less. The same thing happened when I had my pirate and the SP’s sack every port available.

3- When you teach the game have everyone do the same action once or twice to get the feel for how looting, sacking ports and placing KC’s actually works (i.e. have everyone follow recommendation 2).

This is definitely one of the heaviest games I own, but I do not think it is too complicated for most gamers I know and they tend to like quick Euro’s. The time of play may be an issue, but how the game is played I do not believe they will have a problem with. If they do end up disliking the game then I can always play solitaire. I’ll just have to make sure I load my dice and cheat the SP and his damn KC surprise card. HEE HEE.

Thread: Re: How I retired as a Pirate on the 1st Day

JackFlash — 2008-07-05T03:26:49+00:00

aye, matey! a good time was had by all! :D

Thread: How I retired as a Pirate on the 1st Day

T-Mo — 2008-07-04T10:07:10+00:00

Picked up Blackbeard at Origins and was primed to give it a go solo in preparation for a later multiplayer game.

Blackbeard's first turn sees him defeat 2 Warships from the SPs and Loot a merchant in India for 7500 booty. Turn 2 sees Blackbeard defeat a KC sent after him. With 7500 booty in the hold and 45 notoriety within 2 turns, Blackbeard spends the next 3 turns repairing his ship while refitting with Heavy Guns and heading off to retire off the Gold Coast of Africa. Only 1 SP was lost during the game with the remaining 3 SPs only scoring 13 VPs - although if they could've converted before Blackbeard retired, another 60 VPs could've been gained. However, Blackbeard ended up with 165 total VPs. (90 from Notoriety and 75 from Net Worth). Final Score 165-13. Beginners luck was the key ingredient here as I scored the highest possible merchant ship loot as well as sinking 2 Warships and a KC. I was dealt a Letter of Marque early in the game but didn't have to use it as Blackbeard retired through a British port during the 2nd play of General Pardon.

I'll probably never see this luck again in the game but sure was fun to be Blackbeard today! Biggest SP take was only 2500 so BB smoked his nearest rival by 300%.

T-Mo

Thread: Re: Ok, just got Blackbeard today...where to start

JG53_Jaguar — 2008-07-04T04:57:29+00:00

Thanks guys, looking forward learning Blackbeard this weekend!

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zara2stra — 2008-07-04T03:00:17+00:00

A nasty KC stalks Roberts, waiting for him to make the first move...

Thread: Re: Ok, just got Blackbeard today...where to start

Slobodon Ginfizz — 2008-07-04T03:37:24+00:00

Save yourself. Put the game in a wicker basket, while you still can!

Thread: Re: Ok, just got Blackbeard today...where to start

UniversalHead — 2008-07-04T02:26:16+00:00

There's a great reorganised rules summary here on the 'Geek that puts the rules in proper order (instead of the mish-mash the rulebook is in). Made it all clearer for me.

Thread: Re: Ok, just got Blackbeard today...where to start

Allos — 2008-07-04T01:16:20+00:00

I suggest that you read through the rules once more and have the official errata printed out and read as well. Everyone's first game runs slowly because there are many multi-step processes that must be undertaken for some of the actions (meaning, don't play your first game with a full compliment of new players).

I'd say that you should try to find one other person and play a two-player game. It will allow you to learn all the rules and you'll get to experience every option the game has available. After that, go solo to implant the rules into memory.

Have fun!

Thread: Ok, just got Blackbeard today...where to start

JG53_Jaguar — 2008-07-04T12:48:06+00:00

Hi All,

I think I have been watching my 3 Pirates of the Caribbean DVDs waaaay too many times!!! I got this pirate bug now in my head which I can't get rid off! And it made me look up boadgames about pirates on BGG. And there it was...Blackbeard by GMT. I just got this great game today and I'm ready to read the rules and learn how to play. First solo, then I want to play with my fiancee. Tough the question that I have is what's the best way to start learning how to play Blackbeard? Any extended examples of play?

Thanks!

PS: The production quality of Blackbeard is a shock to me, I have never seen such a great quality print of any boardgame. I just got The Devil's Cauldron by MMP which is really great but Blackbeard, woooow!!!! Great job GMT!

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zara2stra — 2008-07-04T12:26:07+00:00

5th turn of a tutorial game I ran for my nephew - he has won ;)

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Allos — 2008-07-04T12:00:54+00:00

The bountiful seas of the Caribbean.

Thread: Re: Going Out of Print! Just a Few Left.

linuxguy — 2008-07-01T05:17:38+00:00

Thanks for the input, I'm going to pick it up now and then get the new rules when they become available. From what i've read, it should still be quite playable with the current rules, thanks to all the rule clarification posts.

-tim

Thread: Re: Mike Doyle's Blackbeard Player Aid....

Dave Klempa — 2008-07-01T02:31:07+00:00

d0gb0t wrote:
Means that, that the player aids were updated regarding the feedback given in this thread?

Yes.

Thread: Re: Going Out of Print! Just a Few Left.

nrandall — 2008-07-01T03:55:19+00:00

Maybe Neil or Berg can comment on what other changes are likely?

To be honest, we haven't even begun to discuss it.

Thread: Re: Going Out of Print! Just a Few Left.

hancock.tom — 2008-07-01T01:45:38+00:00

linuxguy wrote:
would people recommend waiting for the reprint or picking one up soon while they're still available? I've heard about the rules issues and also component modifications people did, so I would appreciate some opinions on it, basically if it it still enjoyable enough with the issues.

thanks,
Tim

Well, from reading this thread I have learned that the rules are going to be available to everyone for free.... as far as the component mods, I doubt GMT will ever offer ships like what people have swiped from other games to use with blackbeard, so I wouldn't hold your breath on that one. Maybe Neil or Berg can comment on what other changes are likely?

Thread: Re: Going Out of Print! Just a Few Left.

linuxguy — 2008-06-30T05:54:11+00:00

would people recommend waiting for the reprint or picking one up soon while they're still available? I've heard about the rules issues and also component modifications people did, so I would appreciate some opinions on it, basically if it it still enjoyable enough with the issues.

thanks,
Tim

Thread: Re: German Version of Blackbeard?

Dogma79 — 2008-06-30T05:25:46+00:00

So we can only hope....:soblue:

Thread: Re: Question about attacking and sacking ports

Dave Klempa — 2008-06-30T05:24:39+00:00

Sorry if my 'So what?" sounded dismissive; that wan't my intent.

I think we are basicaly saying the same thing:
An in-port pirate cannot directly affect or opposed a port attack/sack by another pirate, but there are several AP options available (Warships, KCs, Events).

I added that while a port attack does not adversly affect a pirate who is already there, a successful sack can really ruin his day.

Thread: Re: Mike Doyle's Blackbeard Player Aid....

d0gb0t — 2008-06-30T05:12:19+00:00

Hi,

the last post on the mdoyle blog show's an update info regarding some feedback about the player aids.

Means that, that the player aids were updated regarding the feedback given in this thread?

Thread: Re: Question about attacking and sacking ports

taraba — 2008-06-30T02:46:25+00:00

Now in the OP case of another Pirate attacking the port your Pirate is in. So what?

Well, if he's asking, then there's a situation where it would be in his best interest. Either he had plans to attack and doesn't want the extra die for the port or maybe he had business in the port and doesn't want it sacked. The situation I can think of is where a pirate is attacking and sacking your safe haven. Does your pirate get involved to try to stop it? Maybe I pulled in to port to attempt to retire next turn, but ran out of actions. Now another pirate comes in to sack the port before I can take my retire action.

Thread: Re: Question about attacking and sacking ports

Dave Klempa — 2008-06-30T01:45:28+00:00

valkray wrote:
I may be corrected, but I believe these are your options:

The in-port pirate does not participate. The only other pirate capable of doing so would be the active players 2nd pirate if they are already in alliance. All other pirates are in 'down-time' while their players are Anti-Pirate during the raid or sack attempt.

During an Attack on the Port, you would not be ousted, as there is no effect on the port. If it is a successful Sack, the port is destroyed, rendered unusable for the rest of the game, and your ship would be moved to the sea area.

The Pirate cannot stop the pending attack.

You could only interfere with a Anti-Pirate action.

You may play a Warship card and attempt interception of the active player's pirate.

If circumstances permitted you to have your KC in the sea zone you can attempt to intercept or oust. If others have a KC there, make piteous diplomatic pleas for defense of the port. (Remember, that if the KC belongs to you, you cannot leave the port until your KC leaves the sea zone.)
This all seems to be correct.

valkray wrote:
For KCs several scenarios apply:
1. Active pirate moves to sea zone, then attacks
You must have already moved a KC into your sea zone during a previous turn. You can then attempt to intercept the active pirate during his move in, and during his attack attempt if he was successful in evading the first interception. You only have 1 Anti-Pirate action during his turn so you can't Activate a KC and intercept during the same turn.
Not quite. As you noted above, you can React in from an adjacent area.

Also, although you do have only one KC action per turn, you can deploy the KC as your Action and then immediately React to intercept.

valkray wrote:
2. Active pirate already in sea zone
Again KC must already be in the area previously. Can attempt interception during the Attack attempt. If interception fails, you can attempt to oust at the Sack attempt. (KCs can act on each Pirate action if already in play)
1. As above, you can react in from an adjacent area.

2. If the (reaction) intercept failed, and the port attack succeeds, you would have to use your KC Action to Oust the Pirate (if you hadn't used it yet).

Note that 'Oust Pirate' can not be used as a Reaction (only as a KC Action). And 'Sack Port' is not an action that can be Reacted to (only Move, Find/Loot/Convert Merchant, and Attack Port).

valkray wrote:
3. Active pirate in-port
The active player could be in 2 states:
3a. Had attacked the port as his last action of prior turn and now attempts to Sack it. You can attempt to oust with your existing KC
3b. Player performed in-port actions as his last action of the prior turn. He must move to sea to Attack. You can attempt interception by your existing KC on the move and the attack.
Both correct.

Now in the OP case of another Pirate attacking the port your Pirate is in. So what?
You don't get Ousted after the attack. If it was your Safe Haven, it remains so after the attack. It becomes Anti-Pirate to the attacker, but not to you.
The only real effect is that it rolls 2d6 on defense whenever any Pirate (including you) attacks it again.

If the other Pirate was planning on following the Attack with a Sack, then you could have a problem.
Probably the easiest thing to do is hit him with D&R. Since the only thing he can do thereafter is Move or Recover (and not in the Port he just attacked), he has to leave. And until he reaches another Port (of a different Nation, since all those of the current port hate him), he'll be at -2 Speed and Combat v. any Warship or KCs that show up.
And some other Pirate could be waiting in his destination to attempt a Booty Grab.
:arrrh:

Hope this helps.

Thread: Re: Going Out of Print! Just a Few Left.

hancock.tom — 2008-06-30T12:08:24+00:00

The reprint with updated rules makes sense to me too. Calling it a second edition and not adding/changing anything except the rules already available online would be a bit odd.