Module two adds new Special Weapons to the game in the form of Heated Shot, Double Shot and Caltrops while module three adds four new Ship Mods. The Special Weapons and the Carved Hull and Crow's Nest Ship Mods are fun to add for players seeking to add variety to the game without significantly changing how it plays. The Smuggler's Hold Ship Mod and The Plank Ship Mod are actually dependent upon the use of other modules included in the game, one of which is an excellent addition while the other is rather mediocre. Once a player reaches 10 Glory Points (including the secret points for stashed Gold - see "Stash"), he declares so and the game ends after everyone has had their turn. The love-it or hate-it, part of Merchants & Marauders is the downtime. As every player gets 3 actions per turn, you’ll have to wait for some time until it’s your turn again. I didn’t have much of a problem with it, as focusing on what the other players are doing gives you an edge. Merchants & Marauders Review (TL;DR)

You can buy all the Nautical Tabletop Month products from our tabletop sponsor, Firestorm Games. Merchants and Marauders: Broadsides has 2 double-sided ship boards. The 2 boards are cosmetic differences only. If you have decent influence and two coins to spare, don't leave port without a rumor, if you're playing as Federico de Silva, then don't leave port without two rumors. If the rumor you already have is far away and you have no idea when you might or might not go there, then pay up and try to get another one. Two coins for a glory + other rewards isn't something to be ignored.

Take a Ship Card corresponding to your chosen ship. Place it and your Captain Card on your Player Board. Even if you find problems with the rules and requirements for certain achievements, like the acquisition of said galleons, you can house-rule as much as you’d like. Merchants & Marauders has a very flexible ruleset that allows for such a thing. Cons:

First-time players will struggle with Merchants & Marauders, partially because of the complexity of the game, and because of how long the game session will take. Expecting someone to be attentive for four or five hours is unreasonable, which is why this game will take several playthroughs to figure out.My crew is international, and my own national sense of fraternal protection may create tensions. These are men though that have killed, and maimed, and worse – they have ended in my crew, for my meagre wage, because they have no loyalties to speak of. They will be loyal to coin though, which I intend to provide in abundance. I shall buy their consent through glittering gold.