Movement:
The player who had the highest roll goes first and There are 9 different types of spaces: Territory, Pirate’s Booty, Captain’s Log,
places the sail marker 1 to 5 spaces ahead of their ship.
You must follow the colored current lines and continue
in the direction your ship is headed. You may not turn
at will. There will be opportunities to change direction
through Secret Passages, Turn Abouts, Crosswinds,
and cards.
Next roll the 12-sided Wind die to get a number from 1 to 12. Consult the
wind die conversion chart on the board to determine the wind adjustment
to the ship’s movement.
From the sail marker make the adjustment rolled by the Wind die. So if a
player rolls:
• 9 then the wind adjustment is +1. So the player places the ship one
space ahead of the sail marker.
• 4 then the wind adjustment is -4. So the player places the ship 4
spaces behind the sail marker. Note: It is possible to move
backwards. If a player places the sail marker, just one space ahead
and rolls a 4, they will end up 3 spaces behind where they started.
However they do remain pointed in the same direction.
• 5, 6, 7, or 8 then the adjustment is 0, so they land exactly where they
had intended.
Depending on where the player lands, the player must do what the space
demands (see Space Designations: page 2). Then going clockwise each
player takes a turn.
When a player comes back around to where the
colored current lines intersect at the Crosswinds,
the player must continue in the direction
following the color of the path that the player is
currently on. For example, if you are traveling the
green path you must continue following the
green line through the intersection, unless the
player lands directly on the Crosswinds space
(see Crosswinds: page 3).
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Space Designations:
Secret Passages, Turn About, Commodore, Mutiny, Buried Treasure, and
Crosswinds.
Territory: Territories are all the settlements in the Caribbean
that a Pirate Captain can capture and build fortifications on in
becoming the Pirate King.
o When a player lands on an unclaimed territory, that
territory is available for capture. In order to claim it the
player must pay a “capture price”. (see Sea Chart: page 4)
The capture price is paid to the Merchant.
o However if a player lands on a territory that is already owned
by another player the player must pay the Dock Fee or fight
(see Combat: page 5). Once a player owns a territory, they
may collect a Dock Fee from any other players’ ships that
lands on their territory (see Sea Chart for values).
o If an adjacent territory of the same color is acquired by the
same player, then the player has established a Trade Route.
o Trade Route: Once a Trade Route has been created between
the two territories, the player has the ability to build
fortifications (see Sea Chart for
costs and values). Fortifications
increase the docking fees
substantially and enable the
purchase of ship cannons and
crewmen. (see Fortifications: page
4). Players are limited to owning a maximum of 12
territories at one time (24 in two player games).
Pirate’s Booty: When a player lands on a Pirate’s Booty space,
the player must draw a Pirate’s Booty Card and do whatever
the card states. Sometimes it will be good fortune, but not
always. Ye never knows what lies in dark places. The Pirate’s
Booty cards are the only way to acquire the Great Treasures of
the Caribbean (see Great Treasures: page 6).
Captain’s Log: When a player lands on a Captain’s Log space
the player must draw a Captain’s Log Card and do whatever
the card states. Good and bad awaits ye at sea. So beware!
Secret Passages: When a player lands on a Secret Passage
space the player may choose to go to any other secret passage
space and may choose any direction to face. The player may
choose to stay the course and not move at all. Or simply turn
around.
Turn Abouts: When a player lands on a Turn About space,
the player must turn the ship in the opposite direction and on
the next turn move in that direction. Pay close attention to the
direction your ship is facing on the board. This indicates
which direction a ship must move.
Commodore: When a player lands on the Commodore
space, the Commodore seizes their cargo (cargo card) and
takes one cannon.
o If the player only has one cannon, then only the Cargo card
is taken.
o If the player has neither, than the Commodore lets you go
and nothing happens.
o The Commodore can be negated by certain cards.
o However the player may choose to challenge the
Commodore and if victorious they gain 16 points and win
the game. If they lose, the normal defeat conditions apply.
The Commodore has 11 crewmen and 5 cannons. He loses
cannons at the standard ship rate but keeps 2 cannons to
the last man. Opponents choose who will roll against the
challenger. The Commodore’s crew and cannons are
completely restored after every challenge.
Mutiny: When a player lands on the Mutiny space, the
player’s crew has become disgruntled and is uprising against
their Captain, which is you.
o The player (Captain) can fight off the mutiny by rolling
three 6-sided dice against the other players in the game.
o Divide three 6-sided dice between the other players and
roll. If the sum total of the Captain’s dice are higher than
the sum total of the other players’ then that Captain has
quelled the Mutiny.
o However if the other players’ sum total is higher than the
Captain, then the Captain must force one of his own
mutinous men to walk the plank to get back the fear and
respect of the crew thereby losing one crewman and the
Cargo card.
o If the Captain only has one crewman they only lose their
cargo. If the player has neither than nothing happens.
Buried Treasure: When a player lands on the Buried
Treasure space, the player gets everything in the Buried
Treasure chest. The game begins with one emerald (worth
100 bronze) in the Buried Treasure Chest. After each time the
chest is emptied, replenish it with 100 bronze from the
Merchant. All fines from the Pirate’s Booty and Captain’s Log
cards (unless otherwise stated on the card) go into the Buried
Treasure chest.
Crosswinds: When a player lands directly on the Crosswinds,
the player may choose one of three directions. They may go
left, right, or straight, but may not turn around completely. If
two ships land on the Crosswinds at the same time, the two
ships must fight. The loser pays the winner a bounty of 500
bronze (see Bounty: page 5). There is no parlay on these spots
(see Parlay: page 5).
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Cards:
There are three different card stacks: Cargo, Captain’s Log, and Pirate’s
Booty.
Cargo: Smuggling missions are the primary source of income
for players.
o Players begin each game with a Cargo card.
o Each Cargo card has a Territory, a Commodity, and a Price.
o The object is to pass by that Territory to collect the value
stated on that card. You do not have to land on it exactly,
however if the player does land exactly on the territory
destination, the player collects an additional 100 bronze.
o In addition to the value on the card the player also gains a
Crewman or a Cannon for completing the smuggling
mission. The player may choose one of the two to add to
their ship. Although cannons can only be chosen if the
player has the appropriate number of crewmen to man it
(see Ship Cannon Capacity: page 5).
o Once a ship has the maximum crewmen (10) and
maximum cannons (4) the player does not get a crewman
or cannon for completing smuggling missions.
o Once a smuggling mission is completed, the player discards
the old Cargo card and draws a new one. The player does
not draw the next card until their ship stops moving so
that a player cannot collect two smuggling mission in
one movement.
o The Cargo cards can be affected by other cards. For
example, if a player draws a Captain’s Log card that states a
storm hit and you lost half your cargo, place that card on
the Cargo card until it is completed or lost. If completed,
the player only collects half the value stated on the card.
o Finally a player can lose their cargo in a number of different
ways. If a player does lose their Cargo, then they can only
pick up a new Cargo card once they pass a friendly territory
or capture one.
Captain’s Log: The Caribbean is very unpredictable. Many
good and bad things can happen to Captains and their ships.
Do what ever the card states to do. Some cards the player
holds. All fines are paid to the Buried Treasure chest unless
otherwise stated.
Pirate’s Booty: Treasure is abound in the Caribbean. Players
will happen upon good and bad treasures. Do what ever the
card states to do. Some cards the player holds and can be used
at another time. All fines are paid to the Buried Treasure chest
unless otherwise stated.
Sea Chart:
The Sea Chart is a quick reference guide to all the territories and their crewmen and cannons become available for purchase at 200 bronze each. Also
attributes. Many territories have different attributes so pay close attention different territories acquire defenses (crewmen and cannons) at different rates
to the chart for availability of crewmen and ship cannons. In the columns and costs so keep an eye out matey. Additional Sea Charts can be downloaded
under the territories, the chart is highlighted. At these upgraded levels and printed for free at www.templegames.com/product/pirate_king.
For example, what is the Dock Fee
for a Rampart on Campeche?
1
Find the column with
Campeche. The territories are
1
color coded.
2
Below the territories the
column is broken up into two 2
sub-columns: Cannons and
Dock Fee. Cannons states
how many cannons this
territory has per level of
fortification. But in this case
look at the Dock Fee column. 3 4

3
Find the row with the
Rampart.
4
Where the row and column
intersect is the Dock Fee.
So the Dock Fee for Campeche with a
Rampart is 350 bronze.

Fortifications:
Once a territory is captured the
player places a fortification tile
on the territory with the picture
of a Settlement facing up then
inserts their flag through the
hole in the middle of the tile and
into the hole in the board.
o All territories start as a settlement and all settlements have 2 crewmen and
one cannon (see Combat: page 5). Once a Trade Route (two adjacent
territories of the same color) has been established the fortifications can be
increased up to five levels as dictated by the Sea Chart.
TAVERN FORT RAMPART CITADEL CASTLE
o To upgrade a fortification the player must pay the upgrade price located
on the Sea Chart to the Merchant. Players can upgrade at anytime during
their turn and as many times as they can afford.
o When a territory is upgraded, turn or place the tile to the corresponding
picture so it is facing up.
o Each level of fortification increases the territory by 2 crewmen except for
the castle level which only increases by 1 crewman to a maximum of 11
(See Sea Chart).
o All territories grow in crewmen at the same rate but cannons increase at
different rates.
o During combat, simply flip or remove the tiles as you are damaged and
lose crewmen. For odd numbers pivot the tile askew to the mark on the
board to indicate that level is damaged.
o If combat ends with a fortification on an odd number, that fortification is
automatically repaired up to the closest level for free.
o Once a player has built a fortification they can only tear it down and
redeem its full value if they owe money. Players cannot take down
fortifications at will
o Ship Cannons and Crewmen: Once a territory is upgraded to the
highlighted levels on the Sea Chart, cannons and crewmen may be
purchased for a player’s ship when that ship lands on an upgraded
territory at a cost of 200 each. For example, cannons and crewmen for the
ships may be purchased at the Tavern level on Barbados while on San
Juan they cannot be purchased until the Citadel level. Only one crewman
maybe added per time a ship lands there and as many cannons permitted
by the number of crewmen may be also added.

Page 4
Combat:
• When do we fight? Pirates love to fight! There are three ways to initiate
combat.
1.Two players are on the Crosswinds at the same time.
2.A player lands on another player’s territory and chooses to fight rather
than pay the Dock Fees. Only the player with the ship can choose to
fight or pay, not the territory owner. However if the owner of the
territory also has their ship on that space then the attacking player
must fight the enemy ship first and then the fortification if they
choose not to pay.
3.A player has the Golden Monkey Head and uses the Forced
Negotiations ability (see Great Treasures: page 6)
• Crewmen and Cannons: Territories and ships can gain Crewmen and
Cannons. Territories gain them at a set rate dictated by the Sea Chart. Ships
can gain them at different rates and in different ways.
o Crewmen are like hit points. They determine how many times your
ship can be hit before it is sunk. When your ship reaches zero then you
are sunk. They also determine how many cannons a ship can use. All
ships start with one crewman and one cannon. The ship cannon
capacity is as follows:
CANNON CAPACITY
For the ships use the round cards to keep track of Crewmen. To keep
track of cannons use the round cannon tiles.
o For each cannon a ship has, the player may roll one attack die up to
a maximum of four dice. When players drop below the previously
mentioned number of crew to maintain a cannon during combat
they lose the use of that cannon and the attack die associated with
it. Flip the cannon tile over to the black & white side to designate it
unmanned. Once a player gains back enough crew the tile is flipped
back over to the color side and is now active. Cannons can become
unmanned caused by Mutiny or any of the cards.
Page 5
• How do we fight?
o When combat begins both players roll one 6-sided die for each cannon
they have equipped and manned.
o The players then match up their dice in descending order. In each
match up of dice, the player with the lower number loses a crewman
(use of cannons when applicable). Tied dice have no effect.
o If one of the players has more cannons or attack dice than the other
player, then the player with the cannon advantage uses only their
highest dice. So if one player rolls four dice and the other player rolls
two, then the player with four dice removes the lowest two dice.
• Win a Battle:
o If the attacking ship wins they capture the territory from the other
player and the territory is now theirs. The newly acquired territory
starts as a settlement (2 crewmen and 1 cannon) and the winner plants
their flag.
o If the fight occurred between two ships then the loser removes their
ship and must follow the losing conditions below.
• Lose a Battle: If a ship loses a battle they must pay their Bounty to get back
into the game. Once the bounty is paid in full they place their ship facing
either direction on any of the four highlighted ports of origin: San Juan,
Curacao, Santiago, Eleuthera. The player does not have to pay any Dock
Fees to start there if already owned.
• Bounty: After a loss, in order to get a new ship a player must pay their
bounty, which is the final Dock Fee of the territory they attacked. This
amount is paid to the defender.
o Ship vs. Territory: If the attacked territory started with a Castle but
finished with a Fort the attacker’s bounty is the Dock Fee for the Fort
not the Castle.
o Bounties have a minimum of 500 bronze. If the docking fee is less than
500 bronze then the defeated attacker pays the Dock Fee to the
defending player then pays the difference to the Buried Treasure.
o Ship vs. Ship: If a player is sunk in the open sea from a ship to ship
battle, they just pay 500 to the player that sank them.
o A player must expend all cash down to their last 50 bronze before
tearing down fortifications and redeeming their full value.
Fortifications can only be taken down when money is owed to
another player or Buried Treasure and it is redeemed at full value.
o Great Treasures do not need to be sold before tearing down
fortifications.
o If a player cannot pay their bounty and has already torn down all
fortifications and sold all Great Treasures, then the Merchant will pay
the difference and the player that defeated them gets to take one of
their territories of choice.
Parlay:
If two players land on the same spot where there is no combat taking place
(not a Crosswind or a player has paid the Dock Fees rather than choosing
to fight), then these two players may Parlay or negotiate for each others’
territories, items, cards, etc. This is the only time trading is permitted in
the game. Parlay is active as long as the two ships share one space. As many
ships that are on the space together may parlay so it is not limited to two.
Great Treasures:
There are five Great Treasures of the Caribbean: Jewel Encrusted Sword,
Golden Monkey Head, Black Sails, Royal Crown, and Diamond Necklace.
In order for a player to own one and use it, they must first find the map
in the Pirate’s Booty Cards. Then it may be purchased for 500 Bronze.
Once the map has been found, a player can buy the item at anytime
during the game on their turn unless someone else has already bought it.
Great Treasures maybe sold back to the Merchant at anytime, but cannot
be bought back until the map is found again.
Jewel Encrusted Sword: Re-roll one attack die each round of
combat. However the player is stuck with the second roll even
if it is lower.
Golden Monkey Head: Give any negative card to any other
player plus Forced Negotiations: A player with the Golden
Monkey Head may attack another player’s ship anywhere on the
board when the two ships share the same space. Although if any
sort of parlay agreement is made then they may not attack.
Royal Crown: Add 50% to all docking fees collected plus
immunity to Commodore
Diamond Necklace: Subtract 50% from all docking fees paid
(including any bounty) plus immunity to Mutiny.
Black Sails: Player may re-roll the Wind die once per
turn. However the player is stuck with the second roll
even if it is worse.
Special Cards:
Mega Tsunami/Earthquake: In the Captain’s Log cards, a
mega tsunami or earthquake does one level of damage to
every developed territory in that color region. Settlements
take no damage.
Man of War: In the Captain’s Log cards, a captain may
choose to fight a ship of equal cannon and crewmen value
as the ship that pulled the card. If they lose, normal defeat
conditions apply. If they win they get one cannon, one
crewman, and 500 bronze.
Duel: In the Captain’s Log cards, a captain chooses any one
player to duel against. Each player rolls one 6-sided die. The
higher roll gains a crewman and the lower roll loses a
crewman. If the roll is a tie, then they both roll again.
Page 6
Advanced and Team Play:
In Advanced play, one player controls two ships. The only thing that is
different is that the player uses two sail markers. Simply place down one
sail maker for each ship then roll the 12-sided “wind” die. Adjust the ships
accordingly. Then collect any smuggling missions (if applicable), draw any
cards if needed, then pay any Dock Fees or start any combats if the player
has landed in enemy territory. Make sure to keep the smuggling missions
and crewmen cards separate for each ship and mark them with a
corresponding colored flag.
In Team Play, players on the same team may share money and upgrade on
each other’s territories. Otherwise play normally.
FAQ:
If I have one crewman or one cannon and a drawn card tells me that I lost
one what do I do? You are safe. Nothing happens.
If a player gains a cannon from a drawn card but does not have the
crewmen to support it, does the player still get the cannon? The player may
keep the card and use it once they have the men to support it.
If a player draws a card that gives them a free crewman or cannon, but has
a full ship, can they keep it? Yes and it can be used on that ship whenever
needed except during combat.
Where the sailing paths intersect at the Crosswinds may I go any direction
I want? No, you must remain sailing in the same direction following the
color of the path you are on. So if you are traveling the red path you must
continue following the red line unless you land directly on the crosswinds.
What do you do with odd numbers of crewmen on a fortification? While a
fortification is at an odd number and in between levels it still retains the
values of the higher level. So a fortification with seven crewmen is still
considered a Rampart and retains all values described on the Sea Chart.
After combat an odd numbered fortification is automatically repaired back
up to an even number.
How do I use the Royal Decree? When a player lands on the Commodore
spot this card may be used by the player to negate the Commodores effects.
However, once used the player must turn it in. The same goes with life raft,
lock pick and other such cards.
Are two territories adjacent if there are
Captain’s Log or Pirate’s Booty spots in
between them? Yes, for example, Cumana is
considered to be adjacent to Margarita even
though there is a Captain’s Log and Pirate’s
Booty spot in between them. So a trade route
may be established between the two.
When a player turns in the last smuggling card, when exactly is the game
over? The game is not over until the player finishes that turn including any
battles or cards.
Can the owner of the Golden Monkey Head send movement cards at other
players? Yes, for example if a player just moved a total of 5 spaces and
draws the repeat movement from last roll then the player can force another
player to move that number of spaces too or keep it for themselves.
Game Variations: Get Started In 8 Easy Steps:
• 1 v 1: Two player two ship free for all Step 1: Each player starts with 1 ship, 1 stand and 12 flags of same color, 1
• 1 v 1 double ship*: One player with two ships versus one player with cannon, 1 crewman, 1 chest, 1000 bronze
two ships
• 1 v 1 v 1: One player with one ship versus one player with one ship
Step 2: Place ship on one of
1 2
versus one player with one ship
the starting spaces
• 1 v 1 v 1 v 1: Four players four ship free for all facing outward:
• 2 v 2 team play*: Two players versus two players with one ship each 1) Eleuthera
• For short games all variations can be played to 12 Prestige Points. 2) San Juan
3) Santiago
4) Curacao 3 4
Pirate King Components: (see diagram)
1 game board 24"X24"
4 Ships with stands Step 3: Draw a Cargo Card
16 Ship Cannon Tiles
Step 4: Place sail marker 1 to 5
10 six-sided dice
spaces ahead of your ship
1 twelve-sided die
2 Sail Markers Step 5: Roll 12-sided die
5 Fully Illustrated Great Treasure Cards Step 6: Consult the wind die chart on the board, adjust for wind, and place
40 Crewmen Cards ship down on the appropriate space
1 Sea Chart
Step 7: If you passed your Cargo destination collect reward and draw
48 Fully Illustrated Smuggling Cards
another Cargo card.
50 Fully Illustrated Captain’s Log Cards
30 Fully Illustrated Pirate Booty Cards Step 8: Depending on which space you land on, do what that space demands.
72 Fully Illustrated Fortification Tiles
5 Treasure Chests
65 Glass Gems (5 Diamonds, 10 Rubies, 25 emeralds, and 25 Gold)
~ May the winds be at your sails. ~
30 Pirate King Coins Do you have questions about . . .
52 Flags (4 flag bases)
Scoreboard Spaces: Page 2 (right side) & Page 3 (left side)
Instructions Cards: Page 3 (right side)
Exclusive Pirate King Illustrated Story
Sea Chart: Page 4 (top)
Fortifications: Page 4 (bottom)
Ship Assembly Combat: Page 5
Step 1: Carefully punch Ships out of cards Great Treasures: Page 6
Step 2: Insert Ships into stands
Scoring: Page 1 (top)
Movement: Page 2 (left side)

Credits:
Game Inventor: Flaster Siskin
www.TempleGames.com Creative Producer: Jamal A. Swinton
Game Artist: Professor Cliff Cramp
Pirate King™, Temple Games® and all adapted languages, related artwork and associated logos are
trademarks, registered trademarks and/or service marks of Temple Games Inc. in the U.S. and/or
Graphic Designer: Mallory McCreary
other countries. ©2005-2006 Temple Games, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Photograph by: Alan Shaffer

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