Notice – Feb 4th, 2025 – we are working to upgrade the site and some parts of the site may not be fully functional whilst this message remains.

Rainbow Pirates

Player no icon
2
– 5
15-
60 mins

Recommended Minimum Age:

7

7

BGG stats:

5.57398
Score
10273
Rank
1.6
Weight

Age-Rating Graph

A graph plotting enjoyment on the y-axis against age on the x-axis

1

2

3

4

1.4

5

2.8

6

4.2

7

5.6

8

5.6

9

5.6

10

5.6

11

5.6

12

5.6

13

5.6

14

5.6

15

5.6

Adult

1

2

3

4

1.4

5

2.8

6

4.2

7

5.6

8

5.6

9

5.6

10

5.6

11

5.6

12

5.6

13

5.6

14

5.6

15

5.6

Adult

1

2

3

4

1.4

5

2.8

6

4.2

7

5.6

8

5.6

9

5.6

10

5.6

11

5.6

12

5.6

13

5.6

14

5.6

15

5.6

Adult

Parent Percentage

The percentage of site users submitting ratings who think the game is playable at each age

1

2

3

4

25

5

50

6

75

7

100

8

100

9

100

10

100

11

100

12

100

13

100

14

100

15

1

2

3

4

25

5

50

6

75

7

100

8

100

9

100

10

100

11

100

12

100

13

100

14

100

15

1

2

3

4

25

5

50

6

75

7

100

8

100

9

100

10

100

11

100

12

100

13

100

14

100

15

A B MOD is not yet available for this game.

B-MOD stands for balancing modification, a new tool developed by Board Games for All Ages to enable games to be balanced when played with children and young people, with younger players generally receiving generous bonuses. Click here for more.

Basic Game Details

Designer

Brian Sweet

Artist

Christine Sweet

Release Year

2020

Publisher

(Self-Published)

Description

Rainbow Pirates is kind of like playing Rummy on an enchanted island while being attacked by pirates drinking piña coladas.

The object of the game is to earn as many Treasure Points as possible by placing card groups (treasure) on your island. However, you can also attack your opponents with pirate cards (stealing or blowing up their treasure) or use them to give yourself other advantages.

The game was designed to allow for multiple strategies (ranging from guns-blazing aggressive to peace-loving non-violence) based on the player’s hand, preferences, and group dynamics. (eg, attacking an opponent’s island can give you the edge you need to win, but also often causes reprisals and limits the treasure you earn from Black Cards)

Game actions during your turn include: placing cards (for Treasure Points), rearranging cards (to and from your island and hand), and playing pirate cards (to attack opponents or give yourself advantages).

When it is not your turn, you have the opportunity to BLOCK incoming pirate attacks if you have the right matching Color Card in your hand. (Eg, the Captain Card can be stopped by bribing him with a green "Me Time" Color Card) This will stop the attack, but you lose the ability to earn Treasure Points from the card used as a bribe.

A game can end in 2 possible ways:
1) When a player goes out (by playing all cards from their hand AND having at least 2 full rainbows on their island)
2) Running out of draw cards

Going out does NOT necessarily mean you win, but you do earn a BONUS 5 Treasure Points which often is enough to give you the win.

Rainbow Pirate cards are rare in the deck and highly valuable (worth 5 Treasure Points each). They often become the focus of pirate attacks and thievery between players. While valuable, these cards can also become a distraction, tempting players to drain too many resources to obtain them. This game dynamic can result in interesting gameplay and strategies, especially when playing with 3 or more players.

-description from designer

Family-Focussed Media

Family-focussed videos

No family-focussed videos found

Family-Focussed Podcast Mentions

No family-focussed podcast mentions found

Written Reviews

No family-focussed written articles found

Additional info

Looking for more information on the game?

There is so much on boardgamegeek…

(We have no official affiliation to boardgamegeek, we just love it!)

Game Ratings

LOGIn

In order to view and submit your ratings