Under the Southern Cross: The South American Republics in the Age of the Fighting Sail

About this board game

Under the Southern Cross: The South American Republics in the Age of the Fighting Sail is a naval combat game for 1–4 players, with games lasting about 480 minutes. It is the fourth volume in the Flying Colors series, covering maritime conflicts in southern South America from 1810 to 1841.

Set during the Wars of Independence and the last completely sail-powered naval war between Argentina and Uruguay, the game features Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. The period brought experienced naval officers made available by the end of the Napoleonic Wars together with the first generation of naval heroes native to Latin America.

Play through more than two dozen battle scenarios, ranging from engagements with only a handful of ships per side to full-scale fleet actions. The game also brings back the popular ship duel map and activation cards from Serpents of the Seas, with 18 additional ship duel scenarios.

Updated rules add important challenges for operations in the Rio de la Plata and Uruguay rivers. Players must account for river and tidal currents, modified grounding rules, and the use of ship’s boats to tow ships that are stranded or becalmed.

• Two 22×34-inch maps
• Two counter sheets
• Rulebook and playbook
• Player aid chart
• Deck of 55 action cards

Under the Southern Cross is fully compatible with the other Flying Colors volumes while remaining completely playable on its own. Take the role of the Spanish forces seeking to preserve the centuries-old empire, or support the Patriot forces as they fight to end European imperial rule.