Islebound cover
2016BGG rank #1,317

Islebound

by Ryan Laukat · Red Raven Games

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Players2–4
Time60–120m
ComplexityMedium-Light
Age13+

About the game

What is Islebound?

Set sail in a mystical archipelago filled with bustling towns, sea monsters, pirates, and gold! Compete to build the best sea-faring nation with up to three friends by collecting treasure, hiring crew, and conquering or befriending island towns. In Islebound, you take command of a ship and crew. You sail to island towns, collecting resources, hiring crew, and commissioning buildings for your capital city. Each building has a unique ability, and your combination of buildings can greatly enhance your strength as a trader, builder, or invader. You also recruit pirates and sea monsters to conquer towns, which, once conquered, allow you to complete the town action for free, and charge a fee to opponents if they want to use it. Alternatively, you can complete events that give influence, which can be used to befriend towns. There are many routes to success. Will you be a ruthless conqueror, careful diplomat, or shrewd merchant in your race to the top? The player with the most wealth and most-impressive capital city will win the game!

How it plays

Mechanics

Area Majority / InfluenceArea MovementDice RollingEnd Game BonusesIncrease Value of Unchosen ResourcesModular BoardOwnershipPick-up and DeliverPush Your LuckWorker Placement

On the shelf

Categories

FantasyNauticalPirates

Questions players ask

Questions to bring to BoardGameBrain

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