Battle Box: Age of Sail 2026

Battle Box - Age of Sail is a complete naval wargame within a small tin box that fits in your pocket, perfect for a quick game on the go or even full naval campaigns. It includes ships, battle mat, dice, narrative scenarios, and cards for in-game effects such as critical hits and special ship rules.

The set of four ships, each of a different colour, are used to represent generic men-of-war and merchant ships. The status, crew quality, ship upgrades, and critical hits on each ship are tracked by means of cards and a token matching the ship's colour.

The rules are perfect for fun and short battles at sea during the 18th and 19th centuries, such as French privateers attacking an East India Company convoy, or a British squadron intercepting the Spanish treasure fleet. Easy to learn but with a tactical depth that makes strategic choices decisive.

Players roll for initiative and take turns activating each of their ships, with advantages for ships sailing in line. The wind might change depending on the initiative roll, forcing players to adapt to the new situation. When a ship is activated, it can sail on the hex grid provided with the game, fire broadsides (devastating critical hits might happen too, such a bringing down a mast), and perform crew tests to repair the ship, maneuver for better positioning or board enemy ships. The game continues until the enemy ships strike their colours or the scenario objectives are met.

—description from the designer