Contents
- 1 Welcome to the World of Libertalia!
- 1.1 A Brief Overview
- 1.2 Setting Up the Game
- 1.3 Playing the Game
- 1.4 Scoring Points
- 1.5 The End of the Game
- 1.6 Get ready to become a pirate!
- 1.7 The Goal of the Game
- 1.8 Setting Up the Game
- 1.9 Now let’s get into the game:
- 1.10 Let’s Dive into the First Campaign
- 1.11 Getting Ready for the Next Adventure
- 1.12 Game Over, Man
Welcome to the World of Libertalia!
Hey there! Have you ever heard of Libertalia? It’s an exhilarating game that I can’t wait to tell you about. Join me as we explore the rules and mechanics that make this game so much fun!
A Brief Overview
Libertalia is a strategy game that lets you step into the shoes of a cunning pirate captain. Your main goal is to recruit a crew, gather valuable booty, and outsmart your opponents. Are you ready to embark on this exciting adventure? Let’s dive right in!
Setting Up the Game
Setting up Libertalia is a breeze. First, you’ll need to organize the 30 unique character cards into three decks: one for each of the three rounds. Each player will receive a set of 9 character cards, which they will use throughout the game.
Next, set up the 10 shared booty tiles in a line in the middle of the play area. These tiles represent the treasure that everyone will be fighting over. Make sure there are no duplicate tiles in this pile!
Lastly, shuffle the event cards and reveal the first round event. These cards add a twist to the game and keep things interesting. Now you’re all set to hit the high seas! Arrr!
Playing the Game
In Libertalia, the game is divided into three rounds, each consisting of six days. On each day, all players simultaneously select one character card from their hand and place it face-down in front of them. Once everyone has made their choice, the cards are revealed and their abilities are resolved one by one.
Each card has a unique ability that can help you conquer the treasure or hinder your opponents. Some cards allow you to claim booty, some let you attack other players, and some even provide special bonuses! It’s all about making strategic choices and outmaneuvering your rivals to come out on top.
Scoring Points
Throughout the game, you’ll be accumulating points based on the booty you’ve collected. Each booty tile has a different value, so choose wisely! At the end of each day, players tally up their points and enter them on the scoring track.
However, be careful! Some booty tiles can have negative effects or lose value as the game progresses. Keep an eye out for these pitfalls and adjust your strategy accordingly.
The End of the Game
After the final day of the third round, it’s time to calculate the final scores. Add up all your points from each round, taking into account any bonuses or penalties. The player with the highest total score wins the game and gets to claim the title of the most notorious pirate captain!
Well, there you have it! You now have a good grasp of the rules and mechanics of Libertalia. It’s an exciting game full of twists and turns that will keep you on your toes. So gather your crew, set sail, and let the pirate adventure begin! Yo ho ho!


- 1 game board
- 6 pirate dens
- 6 score tokens
- 6 crew marker cards
- 180 character cards
- 1 score track
- 50 booty tokens
- 13 doubloons of value 10
- 15 doubloons of value 5
- 45 doubloons of value 1
Get ready to become a pirate!
I’m here to give you a glimpse into the thrilling world of pirating. Are you ready? Alright, let’s dive in!
The Goal of the Game
Imagine yourself as a pirate crew member, on the exciting yet dangerous journey towards retirement. In this game, made up of 3 thrilling campaigns, your mission is to become the richest pirate by looting other ships. The pirate with the most treasure at the end is declared the winner. Together, we will bring the legendary world of Libertalia to life!
Setting Up the Game
Alright, let’s get started! Place the board right in the middle of the table. We’re going to have some fun with this game! Now, here’s what each player needs to do: grab a crew marker card and keep it face-down. That card will determine your color for the game. Along with that, you’ll also get a den, a crew marker card, a score token, and 30 cards of your color. Put your den in front of you and keep your cards next to it.
Now, let’s set up the score track. Put it to the side, and each player places their score token on the “0” space. Oh, and don’t forget about the doubloons! You’ll need those to build your pirate empire. Each player starts with 10 doubloons: one worth 5 and five worth 1. Any extra doubloons go into the bank, so keep them separate for now.
Alright, let’s make things interesting. We’re going to mix up all the booty tokens in a bag. Make sure they’re really shuffled well. Then, let’s draw one booty token per player for each day of the campaign. Place these tokens on the spaces under the ship. This is where the real loot is, so keep an eye on those spaces. In a game with four players, we’ll need four booty tokens on each space under the ship.
When we start playing the game, the youngest player should mix up their character cards and pick 9 of them. After reading out the number and name of each card, all the players should select the same cards.
Here’s an important point:
At the beginning of the first campaign, all players should have the same 9 characters in their hands.
The rest of the characters will be set aside for now and will only be used in the other campaigns of the game. To avoid any confusion, each player should place their crew marker card face up on top of their unused cards.
Now let’s get into the game:
The game consists of 3 campaigns. In each campaign, players will go through 6 days of looting, from the time the sun rises until the time the night falls. After that, there will be 1 day of rest where their total riches will be calculated.
Hey there! Let me break down how this game works. For the first six days of the campaign, you and your friends will each pick a character card and secretly place it on the ship. The goal? To grab as many shares of the booty as you can!
After those six action-packed days, it’s time for a day of rest. This is when we tally up everyone’s riches, mark it on the score track, and prepare for the next campaign. We do this three times, and at the end, the player with the most wealth is crowned the winner!
Let’s Dive into the First Campaign
Phase 1: Sunrise
Here’s how we start the game: I choose a character card from the cards I have in my hand, and I put it face down on the table. Then, everyone else does the same thing. Once everyone has chosen a card, we all reveal them at the same time.
Now, the youngest player takes all the character cards and arranges them in order. There are special spaces on the ship where these cards go. If two or more players have played the same character, we look at the silver mark on the card. The higher the value in the silver mark, the higher the rank of the character.
Phase 2: Day
Welcome to Phase 2 of your journey! Today, I want to talk about an important aspect of our lives: time. Specifically, the concept of a day. I know, it may sound simple, but have you ever stopped to really think about what a day is?
Let’s take a closer look. A day is the time it takes for the Earth to complete one full rotation on its axis. It’s like a big spinning top! And did you know that it takes about 24 hours for the Earth to make this complete rotation? That’s why we have 24 hours in a day.
But why is understanding the concept of a day important? Well, think about it. Our entire lives are structured around days. We use them to measure time, plan our activities, and make sense of the world around us. Without days, everything would be chaotic and disorganized!
So, what do we do during a typical day? Well, it depends on who you ask. For some people, a day is all about work or school. They wake up early, have breakfast, and then head off to do their daily tasks. Others may focus on hobbies, spending time with family and friends, or just relaxing and taking care of themselves.
It’s also worth noting that a day is divided into different parts. We have morning, afternoon, evening, and night. Each part has its own unique qualities and atmosphere. The morning is a time of fresh starts and new beginnings, while the evening is often associated with winding down and getting ready for rest.
Now, here’s an interesting fact: different cultures have different ways of dividing the day. Some may have more divisions, like siesta time in certain countries, where people take a break in the middle of the day to rest. Others may have different names for the parts of the day, like “dawn” instead of “morning.”
So, as you can see, the concept of a day is not as simple as it may seem! It’s a fundamental unit of time that shapes our lives and gives us a sense of order and structure. So, the next time you wake up and start a new day, take a moment to appreciate the significance of what lies ahead. Embrace the day and make the most of every moment!

As we move forward, let’s take a look at what happens during the different phases of the game. First up, we have Phase 1: Dawn.
During this exciting part of the game, each player will secretly choose a character card to play. The character they choose will determine their unique abilities and strategy for the game. It’s like being a detective, trying to figure out who is who!
Next, we move on to Phase 2: Day. This is where things really start to heat up!
Each player, starting from the left and moving to the right, will use their character’s special ability. This is a crucial moment in the game, as each character has a different power that can influence the outcome of the game. It’s all about making strategic moves and staying one step ahead of your opponents.
Finally, we have Phase 3: Dusk, the last part of the game.
During this phase, each player will resolve their character’s “day” special action. This is where all the pieces start to come together and the storyline unfolds. As each player takes their turn, the game becomes more and more intense, with each move having a big impact on the final outcome.
So, as you can see, each phase of the game is important and plays a crucial role in the overall gameplay. It’s a thrilling experience that keeps you on your toes and eager for the next turn. Are you ready to dive in and become a master detective? The adventure awaits you!

Alright, listen up! I’ve got some important pirate business to discuss. So, here’s the deal: we’re about to divide up the treasure, and I’m gonna tell you how it’s gonna go down. Pay attention!
Here’s how it works: each of us, starting with the highest rank, gets to pick a booty token from under the ship. The tokens are arranged in a line, from right to left, and we choose in order of our rank.
Let me give you an example: if it’s the third day, we’ll be looting the space that’s three spaces to the left under the ship. Got it?
Let’s talk about the “dusk” special actions. These actions, which have an impact on how the booty is shared, are resolved all at once and in a specific order.
If you decide to pick a Spanish officer or a saber tile, you must immediately deal with their effect. This is explained in more detail in the inset. If you choose something else, like a different type of booty token, you simply place it face-down in your den. Then, your character is placed face-up in your den as well.
Any booty tokens that are not chosen in this phase will stay on the board until the current campaign comes to an end.
Phase 4: Night

When it’s time to move on to the next phase of the game, we all do it together. That means every player, all at the same time. And during this phase, something interesting happens. You see, all the characters who are hanging out in their dens, they get to do something special. We call these special actions “night” actions, because, well, they happen at night.
Scores are up! Take a break!
Hey, I’ve got great news for you! It’s time to step away from the hustle and bustle of life and take a break because the scores for the big event are finally available. Believe me, I know how important it is to find out how well you did. We all want to know if our hard work paid off, right?
So, here’s the deal. The scores are in, and you can access them right away. No need to wait any longer. Now, I know you’re dying to know, did I meet my expectations? Did I exceed them? I’m right there with you, my friend. All those hours of studying and practicing, the anticipation is killing me too!
But guess what? The wait is over. You can find your scores online, and let me tell you, the feeling of relief and accomplishment when you see those numbers is absolutely priceless. It’s like a wave of happiness that washes over you, knowing that your hard work and dedication paid off.
You might be wondering, why is it so important to know my score anyway? Well, let me tell you. Your score is a reflection of your progress, your efforts, and your achievements. It’s like a snapshot of how far you’ve come and how much you’ve grown. It’s not just a number; it’s a symbol of your success.
So, my friend, go ahead and check your scores. Celebrate your victories and learn from your mistakes. Take a moment to appreciate all the hard work you put into reaching this point. And remember, this is just one step on your journey. There are many more exciting challenges and accomplishments waiting for you.
Congratulations on your scores, and keep up the great work! You’ve got this!

In this phase, we all take action at the same time. If you have any characters in your den, now is the time to use their special abilities before the campaign ends.
To figure out how much fortune you have, count the number of doubloons in your den. Then, add the following amounts to that total:
– Each chest is worth 5 doubloons.
– Each jewel is worth 3 doubloons.
– Each good is worth 1 doubloon.
– If you have a set of 3 treasure maps, it’s worth 12 doubloons. But if you only have 1 or 2 maps, they’re worthless because they’re incomplete.
Alright, let’s give this a shot:
Alright, here’s the deal: treasure hunting in Libertalia can be quite tricky. There are some rules you need to know before you start, so you don’t end up walking the plank!
First things first: cursed relics are bad news. Each cursed relic you come across will make you lose 3 doubloons. That’s not the kind of booty you want to be gathering, trust me! 
Now, let’s talk about sabers and Spanish officers. They might seem valuable, but here’s the thing – they’re worth nothing! That’s right, you won’t get any doubloons for them. So don’t waste your time on those items. 
Now that I’ve warned you about the pitfalls, let’s move on to the good stuff. After each campaign, the players will move their score token a number of spaces on the score track. How many spaces, you ask? Well, it depends on the total fortune you’ve amassed in doubloons. The more doubloons you have, the further you’ll move. Simple, right? And at the end of the game, your final score will be the sum of all the doubloons you’ve won during the three campaigns.
So there you have it, matey! Those are the rules of the game. Keep an eye out for cursed relics, avoid sabers and Spanish officers, and rack up as many doubloons as you can. Good luck on your treasure-hunting adventure! Arrr!

Getting Ready for the Next Adventure
When we begin our next campaign, we need to prepare ourselves. That means getting rid of any characters who are in the graveyard or in our dens. They won’t be joining us for this game, so we can set them aside.
All those bootytokens we collected during the previous adventure? We have to put them back in the bag. We won’t be using them right now.
And what about the doubloons? Well, they go back to the bank. We’ll start fresh with a new batch.
Now, each of us should only have the three character cards we didn’t use in our last campaign. Some of the characters we’ve played might have changed the rules and let us keep more cards. But for now, we only need those three.
Speaking of doubloons, we each get 10 of them. One is worth 5, and the rest are worth 1 each. Whatever is left over goes to the bank.
Now it’s time for the youngest player to shuffle their deck of cards that they didn’t play. They’ll draw 6 cards and announce the numbers and names out loud. This way, everyone else can choose the same cards if they want.
Finally, each player adds those 6 cards to their hand. And then we’re ready to set sail on our next adventure!
So, here’s the deal: we each start with 6 cards, and they’re the same for everyone. And then, on top of that, we get to keep 3 cards from the last game – the ones we just played. It’s like building up our arsenal with each campaign!
Game Over, Man
Alright, listen up. This game is made up of 3 campaigns. And guess what? The player whose score token ends up the highest on that score track after the third campaign? Yeah, they’re the big winner. Cue applause and confetti!