
- BGG rank
- BGG #11,853
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Favoriten
- 2–5 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 1.3/5
- 1989

1990
Rules assistance for Flußpiraten
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 3 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Flußpiraten is a board game released in 1990 for 3–6 players, 90 minutes per game, and ages 9 and up. It was designed by Klaus Zoch and Walter Müller and its main mechanics are Simultaneous Action Selection and Rock-Paper-Scissors.
Produced by the company responsible for the singularly vicious Rette Sich Wer Kann (the original version of Lifeboats), this similar game has each player trying to get their pirates to the end of the river, while trying to stop the other players from doing the same. The boats that players use have spaces for two pirates, and each time one of the occupants decides to row the boat, the rock-paper-scissors aspect of the game kicks in. Players have the option of rowing, tossing the other player out of the boat, or attempting to beat the other pirate with a club. Players usually cooperate at the beginning of the river to overcome the current, but as the their ship nears the end of the river watch your back!
Flußpiraten supports 3–6 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 Flußpiraten is 90 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 Flußpiraten for ages 9 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.
Flußpiraten 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.
Flußpiraten belongs to these categories: Nautical, Pirates, and Negotiation. Its main mechanics are Simultaneous Action Selection and Rock-Paper-Scissors. 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 Flußpiraten are: Klaus Zoch and Walter Müller. 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 Flußpiraten 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.