
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,885
- BGG rating
- 7.8
Captain's Log
- 1–4 players
- 60–240 min
- Complexity 4.2/5
- 2022

2025
Rules assistance for Boucaniers
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Boucaniers is a board game released in 2025 for 2–5 players, 30–60 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Vincent Tellier and its main mechanics are Simultaneous Action Selection, Modular Board, and Hexagon Grid.
Simultaneous strategy game. Embark on a simultaneous treasure hunt! Sail in a changing archipelago full of cannibals, corrupt trading posts and voodoo mysteries. Arm your ship, recruit, plunder and trade while being careful of the East India Companies. The outcome is never certain and each turn is thrilling! For games full of bluff and suspense! Choose your navigation in secret then move all at the same time. No wait for the others' turns! After navigation, depending on whether ships are in contact or 1 away, there is boarding or cannon fire. Then, everyone plays their actions at the same time. To win, 2 different epic objectives: Unearth the hidden treasure of Armand the chatterbox before the others OR collect 25 gold coins. The passage of the Rougeaud of the East India Companies at the Bastion Rouge is an event not to be missed because its capture then brings 15 coins. Islands with unique actions, infinite combos, asymmetrical ships. Players explore unusual and personal tactics. Each game is unique thanks to the modular board, the asymmetry of the 10 ships and the 24 unique buccaneers. As exciting with 2 players as with 3, 4 or 5, experts and youngsters alike will be in their element. Currently the game is in French with other languages options possible depending on the KS success --- Jeu de stratégie en simultané. Embarquez dans une chasse au trésor en simultané ! Voguez dans un archipel changeant truffé de cannibales, de comptoirs corrompus et de mystères vaudous. Armez votre bateau, recrutez, pillez et commercez en prenant garde aux Compagnies des Indes. Le dénouement n'est jamais certain et chaque tour donne le frisson ! Pour des parties pleines de bluff et de suspense ! Choisissez votre navigation en secret puis bougez tous en même temps. On n'attend pas les tours des autres ! Après la navigation, selon si des bateaux sont au contact ou à 1 de distance, il y a abordage ou tirs de canons. Ensuite, tout le monde joue ses actions en même temps. Pour gagner, 2 objectifs épiques différents : Déterrez le trésor caché d’ Armand le baratineur avant les autres OU amassez 25 pièces d’or. Le passage du Rougeaud des Compagnies des Indes au Bastion Rouge est un évènement à ne pas manquer car sa prise rapporte alors 15 pièces. Des îles aux actions uniques, des combos infinis, des navires asymétriques. Les joueurs explorent des tactiques insolites et personnelles. Chaque partie est unique grâce au plateau modulable, à l'asymétrie des 10 navires et aux 24 boucaniers uniques. Aussi palpitant à 2 joueurs qu'à 3, 4 ou 5, les experts comme les plus jeunes seront dans leur élément.
Boucaniers supports 2–5 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 Boucaniers is 30–60 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 Boucaniers 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.
Boucaniers has a complexity rating of 2.7 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.
Boucaniers belongs to these categories: Adventure, Nautical, and Pirates. Its main mechanics are Simultaneous Action Selection, Modular Board, and Hexagon Grid. 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 Boucaniers are: Vincent Tellier. 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 Boucaniers 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.