East Indiaman

About this board game

East Indiaman is a 2018 strategy game for 2–4 players, with a playing time of approximately 90 minutes. Set in the 17th century, it places players in command of their own East India Companies during the Age of Discovery.

Indian Ocean shipping routes are bustling with trade, and each player aims to build a powerful trading empire in the Far East. Send ships to purchase exotic cargo such as spice, silk, tea, and china, then use those goods to fulfill orders, develop your company, and expand your influence.

Players take turns clockwise, with each player performing two actions during a turn. Actions may be taken in any order, and the same action can be selected twice before the player passes for the round.

• Send ships to buy cargo
• Exchange one type of cargo for another
• Complete orders using cargo in your possession
• Increase your investment level by spending cargo and receive a new ship
• Build trade posts with ships and adjust cargo prices

A round ends once all players have finished their actions, and the game continues for five rounds. Strategic timing matters as players manipulate their fleets, manage valuable cargo, and establish trade posts that contribute influence.

At the end of the final round, completed order cards score according to each player’s investment level. Players also score for the influence provided by their trade posts and for their arms level. In East Indiaman, the player with the highest total score claims victory and control of the most lucrative trades.