Sky Traders

About this board game

Sky Traders is a board game of commerce and intrigue for 2–5 players, with games lasting about 300 minutes. Each player commands a skyship while trading goods, managing a crew, and competing for Influence within the powerful Sky Guild.

Every round unfolds in two main phases. During the first, players sail their ships and perform actions while drawing an Ill Wind card. These unpredictable cards may bring trouble from the Sky Patrol or Wind Pirates, but they can also lead to valuable opportunities such as a treasure map.

Captains must balance the needs of their vessel and crew. Hire Skymen to help defend against pirate attacks, recruit shipmates who improve earnings, or seek crew members able to disregard certain Ill Wind results. Each crewmember uses valuable ship space that could otherwise hold trade goods.

• Buy textiles, spices, jewels, and other commodities when prices are low.
• Deliver cargo to cities where its value has increased.
• Repair damage, refuel with phlogiston, and keep the skyship operating.
• Haul toxic sludge or collect minerals when quick money is needed.

The second phase is the Guild Council, where players negotiate and persuade one another to influence commodity prices. Deals can send the value of your goods soaring, while hostile rivals may cooperate to devalue the wares you are selling.

At the end of the council, each captain can purchase Influence, increasing their ability to control prices and moving closer to victory. In Sky Traders, profitable routes matter, but so do diplomacy, resourceful captaining, and the risks posed by fate and rival crews.