Powerboats

About the game

What is Powerboats?

Powerboats simulates the sport of powerboat racing for 2 to 6 players using three-sided dice and an innovative rolling mechanic to simulate movement on the water. Players aim to score the most points over a series of three races using a double-sided modular board for easier or more difficult challenges, but they must also avoid damaging their boats too much. Once the board is set up buoys are placed to show the points the boats must pass during the race. A player keeps the dice from their previous turn and may, if desired, add or subtract a die from these to accelerate or slow on their current turn. Any or all dice used in the previous turn may be left at their current values or rerolled. Once the roll is complete the player chooses a direction of travel, either straight or one hex side (60 degrees) to the left or right, and if the complete distance cannot be travelled the boat incurs damage. Too much damage will sink your powerboat and penalise you for the next race. The buoys change positions for each successive race and, after three races, players add up their points to determine the winner. A scoring variant for two players is included in the rules.

How it plays

Mechanics

On the shelf

Categories

Questions players ask

Questions to bring to BoardGameBrain

• How do setup and the first turn work in Powerboats?
• When does scoring happen and what ends the game?
• How should the table resolve an unusual timing or rules interaction?