- BGG rating
- 6.4
Pirates vs. Dinosaurs: Expansion Cards
- 2–6 players
- Complexity 2.5/5
- 2013
- BGG rank
- BGG #13,274
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Pirates vs. Dinosaurs
2013
Rules assistance for Pirates vs. Dinosaurs
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 60–90 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.1/5
Rules assistant for Pirates vs. Dinosaurs
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Pirates vs. Dinosaurs is a board game released in 2013 for 2–6 players, 60–90 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Richard Launius and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Dice Rolling.
Expansions
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About the game
Pirates vs. Dinosaurs is a game for 2-6 players by Richard Launius (designer of Arkham Horror) in which players control pirate captains and their cutthroat crews, all with partial knowledge of the whereabouts of buried treasure on a forgotten Pacific island. The catch? They don't know the island is the final home of dinosaurs, survivors of millions of years, and they aren't happy to let outsiders explore their island. Of course, the pirates also don't know that the island is sinking or that there are other pirates looking for the same treasure. Who will get away with the most loot and become the pirate remembered by history? Before the game, players outfit themselves with a variety of crew, weapons, and gear before choosing the section of the island that they will explore, knowing that the jungle takes longer than the beach as they look for their parts of the map. The search can be interrupted as other players play dinosaur (and other) cards to cause mayhem and carnage. Once the treasure is located, players draw treasures from a bag, looking to avoid the pirate ghost and island sinking events, and return safe to their ship – a question of how far they'll go in pushing their luck.
Designers
Publishers
- Jolly Roger Games
- Winterhearts
Questions and answers
Pirates vs. Dinosaurs supports 2–6 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 Pirates vs. Dinosaurs is 60–90 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 Pirates vs. Dinosaurs 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.
Pirates vs. Dinosaurs has a complexity rating of 2.1 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.
Pirates vs. Dinosaurs belongs to these categories: Fighting, Exploration, and Adventure. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Dice Rolling. 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 Pirates vs. Dinosaurs are: Richard Launius. 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 Pirates vs. Dinosaurs 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.