In Fortunes of Scoundrel Bay, players are pirate captains who try to collect the most gold by conquering harbors, seeking hideouts, delivering crates, digging up treasures, and gaining reputation by fighting monsters. During the game, each player builds up their crew to unlock stronger actions such as digging for treasure, invading hideouts, and picking up and delivering crates. On your turn, play one card from your hand and choose one of three actions for it:

• Recruit
• Sail and shoot monster
• Invade

You may not pick the same action you took on your previous turn. The deck contains 84 unique, multiuse cards, and every card works with all three actions. After each of five reefs, you resolve an event and feed your crew. The game ends as soon as a captain crosses the fifth reef. Sailing quickly shortens the game, but racing ahead might leave your engine too weak to claim victory.