Captains of the Golden Age

About this board game

Captains of the Golden Age is a skill-driven board game for 2–4 players, with games lasting around 180 minutes. Set in a fictional East-Indies during the golden age of trading and piracy, it challenges captains to turn limited ships and resources into commercial success.

Each player begins at Smuggler’s Cove with a small ship, a tiny crew, one cannon, and an empty cargo hold. From there, captains gather resources, trade cargo, and improve their vessels at the shipyards of the Orient and the Republic. The size of each starter ship also helps determine the length of the game.

The game combines pick-up and deliver with hand management and bluffing. Sail around the region to collect cargo, then carry it to the Orient and trade it for valuable pepper. Pepper can be used to obtain shares in the Trading Company and work toward victory, but every captain must watch the competition closely.

• Sails determine how far your ship moves each turn.
• Crew supports boarding other ships and plundering cargo.
• Cannons deal damage to rival vessels.
• Cargo holds determine how much cargo you can load and carry.

Each captain has a hidden hand of cards from their own deck. These cards provide temporary advantages, such as sailing farther, carrying more cargo, or changing the tide of a battle. You can also hire the notorious pirate at Smuggler’s Cove to secretly ambush another captain.

With 0% randomness, Captains of the Golden Age puts every decision in the players’ hands. Trade peacefully, attack rivals, board their ships, or bluff your way to an advantage—but always keep one eye on the captain carrying pepper.