Cartagena

Description

--- **Cartagena** is a strategic pirate escape game where players race to maneuver six pirates through an underground tunnel to a waiting sloop using symbol cards. Key mechanics include: - *Forward movement* Play cards with symbols (e.g., dagger, pirate hat) to advance a pirate to the next matching symbol, leapfrogging over occupied matching spaces. - *Backward movement for cards* Retreat a pirate to the first space with one or two pirates to draw one or two cards. - *Turn actions* Perform 1-3 actions per turn, combining forward and backward moves. - *Escape phase* Pirates reaching the tunnel end board the sloop and await their crew. - *Resource management* Fewer active pirates limit options, demanding careful planning to avoid being stuck without cards. Cartagena is a competitive board game recreating the 1672 pirate jailbreak from Cartagena fortress, where each player commands six pirates racing to escape first via a tortuous underground passage to a waiting sloop. Core gameplay revolves around hand management and positioning: players play cards bearing one of six symbols to propel a pirate forward to the next unoccupied matching symbol, cleverly leapfrogging over spaces occupied by any pirates. Card replenishment demands strategic retreats, moving a pirate backward to the nearest space holding one or two pirates (regardless of color) to draw corresponding cards. Turns allow 1-3 flexible actions blending advances and retreats. Successful escapes send pirates to the sloop, but progressively fewer on-field pirates constrain movement potential, risking inaction without cards—thus emphasizing foresight to sequence maneuvers without stranding the crew. ---