
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,219
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Wooden Ships & Iron Men
- 2 players
- 60–300 min
- Complexity 3.1/5
- 1974

1980
Rules assistance for Swashbuckler: A Game of Swordplay and Derring-do
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.
Swashbuckler: A Game of Swordplay and Derring-do is a board game released in 1980 for 2–6 players, 90 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by S. Craig Taylor and T. O'Neill and its main mechanics are Square Grid, Simultaneous Action Selection, and Action Queue.
This light hearted game was an inspiration for RoboRally where players plan out their actions simultaneously and then resolve them. The game is played in one of two locations - a tavern or the deck of a ship. Players can topple tables, throw mugs, swing on chandeliers, and yank carpets. There are rules for being stunned, taking damage, and using a variety of weapons and hand to hand combat.
Swashbuckler: A Game of Swordplay and Derring-do 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 Swashbuckler: A Game of Swordplay and Derring-do 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 Swashbuckler: A Game of Swordplay and Derring-do for ages 12 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.
Swashbuckler: A Game of Swordplay and Derring-do has a complexity rating of 2.4 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.
Swashbuckler: A Game of Swordplay and Derring-do belongs to these categories: Fighting, Wargame, and Pirates. Its main mechanics are Square Grid, Simultaneous Action Selection, and Action Queue. 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 Swashbuckler: A Game of Swordplay and Derring-do are: S. Craig Taylor and T. O'Neill. 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 Swashbuckler: A Game of Swordplay and Derring-do 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.