- BGG rank
- BGG #1,826
- BGG rating
- 6.5
BANG!
- 4–7 players
- 20–40 min
- Complexity 1.6/5
- 2002
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Black Flag!
2026
Rules assistance for Black Flag!
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 4–8 players
- 30 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.0/5
For 4 players
Rules assistant for Black Flag!
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Black Flag! is a board game released in 2026 for 4–8 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Emiliano Sciarra and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Take That.
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About the game
In the Caribbean, waves crash under cannon fire: Great Brittonia and the Kingdom of Ibberia battle for dominance of the seas. In disguise, pirates and privateers prepare to strike and seize victory. Hoist the sails and load the cannons: Rule the seas or go down with honor! Each player secretly takes on a hidden role with their own objective – attack your enemies, defend yourself, and use your special abilities to outwit your foes. Pirates, treasure, and surprises keep the game constantly shifting, so bluff, form temporary alliances, and figure out who you can trust. Eliminate your rivals and seize the treasure to win! —description from the publisher
Questions and answers
Black Flag! supports 4–8 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Black Flag! is 30 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Black Flag! for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Black Flag! has a complexity rating of 2.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Black Flag! belongs to these categories: Card Game, Fighting, and Deduction. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Take That. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Black Flag! are: Emiliano Sciarra. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Black Flag! as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.