Ahoy
Same sea. Different games.
Sharks in uniform, molluscs in revolt and smugglers who'll sell to anyone. Each faction plays by its own rules and races to the same goal: 30 Fame before the others.
Pre-order
Who are you, captain?
In Ahoy every faction plays its own game. Choose your flag: from here on, we'll tell you the game from your deck. Three are in the base box, four more in the expansions.
A pirate game where everyone plays a different game.
Ahoy is asymmetric: the factions don't just have different powers, they score in different ways. The map is built by exploring, region by region, and battles are settled with cannons and dice.
The Bluefin Squadron
Has ruled these waters for decades. Scores by controlling regions: having more pieces there than anyone.
The Mollusk Union
Rising from the deep to take back their home. Also scores by controlling regions, but with comrades on the islands and secret plans.
The Smugglers
Run the blockades. They score by picking up and delivering cargo to the islands that need it.
Game by Greg Loring-Albright, art by Kyle Ferrin. You win at 30 Fame: when someone reaches it, the game ends at the end of the round.
Roll first. Then see what you can do.
At the start of each round you roll your action dice. On your turn you place 2 dice on the actions of your board, and many actions only accept certain numbers. Every gold you spend turns a die up or down by 1. Each faction has its own board: the same roll means different things.
How many of you play?
The factions in play depend on the number of players. Pick yours: you'll see what the base game gives you and what each expansion changes.
Start from the base. Add what your table needs.
Ahoy
3 factions (4 players, the two Smugglers are twins), 12 regions, 30 crew and cargo cards. Required for everything else.
● Pre-order
Fauci e Fortuna
The Leviathan, a beast that devours everything and grows, and the Coral Cap Pirates, rascals who throw parties after a few mercenary jobs: they take the place of one or both Smugglers.
● Pre-order
Rivali e Rinnegati
Orcas and turtles, in place of Squadron and Union, or all together in 2 vs 2 team mode.
● Pre-order
Kit dei Tesori
A loot of treasures with new actions and strategies. Beware the Cursed Treasures.
● Pre-order
Kit dello Splendore
20 metal coins, 19 printed wooden pieces for the base game and a cloth bag. Same rules, more shine.
● Pre-orderThe whole fleet
Base, both expansions and both kits: 7 factions, every table size, every way to play.
Honestly, before you set sail.
You'll love it if…
- you like games where every player has their own way to win
- you enjoy dice that make you choose, not dice that choose for you
- you like a map that's different every game
- you loved Root but want something lighter and quicker
Skip it if…
- you play solo: it's for 2 to 4
- direct conflict isn't your thing: cannons fire often
- you're after a game for young kids: the box says 14+
- you only play in two and want the Smugglers: in two it's Squadron vs Union
Start from the base. Then follow your table.
In 3 or 4, the first expansion is Fauci e Fortuna: it gives the third and fourth seat two brand-new ways to play. In 2, or if you dream of a 2 vs 2, it's Rivali e Rinnegati. The Kit dello Splendore changes no rules: take it when you already know you love it.
Before you board
Which factions are in Ahoy?
Three in the base game: the Bluefin Squadron (sharks who score Fame by controlling regions), the Mollusk Union (controls regions with comrades on the islands and secret plans) and the Smugglers (pick up and deliver cargo and secretly bet on who will win; with 4 players there are two). Rivali e Rinnegati adds the Blackfish Brigade (orcas moving as a pod) and the Shellfire Rebellion (turtles launching comrades with catapults). Fauci e Fortuna adds the Leviathan (a beast that devours everything and grows) and the Coral Cap Pirates (rascals who throw parties after some mercenary work).
Which Ahoy expansion suits my table?
With 3 or 4 players, Fauci e Fortuna: the Leviathan or the Coral Cap Pirates take the place of one or both Smugglers. With 2, or to play 2 vs 2 in teams, Rivali e Rinnegati: orcas and turtles in place of Squadron and Union, or all together in teams. Kit dei Tesori adds treasures with new actions and strategies (beware the Cursed Treasures). Kit dello Splendore changes no rules: 20 metal coins, 19 printed wooden pieces for the base game and a cloth bag.
How do the dice work in Ahoy?
Each round you roll your action dice (5 for the Squadron, 4 for the other factions) and on your turn you place 2 of them on the actions of your board. Many actions only accept certain numbers: for the Squadron, Cannons needs a 5 or 6, Bombard a 4, Order a 3, Repair a 2. Every gold you spend turns a die up or down by 1. Each faction has its own board, so the same roll means different things.
How many players?
2 to 4. With 2 it's Squadron against Union; with 3 a Smuggler joins; with 4 there are two Smugglers. You win at 30 Fame.
Is it in Italian?
Yes: base game and expansions are the Italian edition by MS Edizioni.
Do the expansions need the base game?
Yes, all of them. Fauci e Fortuna is for 3–4 players, Rivali e Rinnegati for 2–4.
Is it hard to learn?
Each player only learns their own faction: a board with its actions and a pocket guide. The common rules (move, explore, battle, recruit crew) are the same for everyone.
How long is a game?
45 to 75 minutes. It ends at the end of the round in which someone reaches 30 Fame.