by draco143
maxac wrote:
I will say that the Poly cards seem to ruin the game. My 5-year-old has a solid strategy that has won him almost every game he played. All he does is focus on getting Poly cards and ignores all other aspects. He gets a free build on the pirate lair, then gets loads of resources to either buy more Poly cards or get the free builds to the board. It basically turns the game into "Who can buy the Poly cards the quickest?" He crushes us every time if we don't match the strategy. I have read the rules carefully, so I'm sure we are playing it right. I think it needs a house rule though.
I agree. The best strategy (as pointed out by my 5 year old and my co-worker's 6 year old) after about 3 plays was, "Buying poly cards is how you win." The cost of the Poly cards is a fantastic "gamble." You have a great chance of instantly placing a pirate's lair (and ships are so cheap you probably have set yourself up to buy the lair), or getting so many resources you can trade in two for one to perhaps let you buy another poly card! Plus, buying the Poly card gives you a great shot at getting a Lair on the Ghost Island, so buying one Poly card often nets you two lairs! There were 14 total Poly Cards in play in my last 2 player game.
I'm about ready to house rule that the Stock Pile is 3:1 trading, and you can only play 1 Poly card per turn. It's just too easy to get gold otherwise.
Question about the Ghost Pirate. Can you place a Lair on Spooky Island if the Ghost Pirate hasn't been moved yet?