Quick
Look: Salty Dogs
Look: Salty Dogs
Designer: Andy Brown, Phil Cairns, Sean McCaughey
Artwork: Simon Bisley, Andy Brown
Publisher: Berserker Arts
Year Published: 2019
No. of Players: 2–4
Ages: 8+
Playing Time: 7–30 minutes
Artwork: Simon Bisley, Andy Brown
Publisher: Berserker Arts
Year Published: 2019
No. of Players: 2–4
Ages: 8+
Playing Time: 7–30 minutes
Review
The
pirate ships are lining up against each other. The Captain watches and plans
his strategy while his First Mate musters the Crew. Everyone is ready. They
take up their positions awaiting to see what the opposing captains do.
pirate ships are lining up against each other. The Captain watches and plans
his strategy while his First Mate musters the Crew. Everyone is ready. They
take up their positions awaiting to see what the opposing captains do.
Salty
Dogs is a fast-paced, last-man-standing, draw-and-play card game designed for
quick learning and short games. We played Salty Dogs with the basic game, which
contains 80 cards. They have an expansion and a statement about playing with 90
cards, so I am assuming this is with the expansion.
Dogs is a fast-paced, last-man-standing, draw-and-play card game designed for
quick learning and short games. We played Salty Dogs with the basic game, which
contains 80 cards. They have an expansion and a statement about playing with 90
cards, so I am assuming this is with the expansion.
Learning
Salty Dogs was easy, and our game started quickly. The cards have most of the
information needed so you don’t need to refer back to the rules. This is a good
game for younger players because they were able to understand it quickly and
take off on their own.
Salty Dogs was easy, and our game started quickly. The cards have most of the
information needed so you don’t need to refer back to the rules. This is a good
game for younger players because they were able to understand it quickly and
take off on their own.
 |
| The Player’s Play Mat |
Setup
Each
player needs their crew. There are 25 Crew cards in the deck. Although the
rules state to remove the Crew cards from the deck and then give each player
five, there is no need to sort and shuffle them. Crew cards are used as a
counter, there are no special abilities on the cards. So, make sure each player
has 5 crew members.
player needs their crew. There are 25 Crew cards in the deck. Although the
rules state to remove the Crew cards from the deck and then give each player
five, there is no need to sort and shuffle them. Crew cards are used as a
counter, there are no special abilities on the cards. So, make sure each player
has 5 crew members.
If
you are using the play mats, place the crew members in their positions.
Otherwise keep them in a row so you know who the Captain and the First Mate are
(they have certain immunities to cards being played on them).
you are using the play mats, place the crew members in their positions.
Otherwise keep them in a row so you know who the Captain and the First Mate are
(they have certain immunities to cards being played on them).
Shuffle
up the remaining cards (with the unused Crew cards) and deal each player 5
cards. The remaining cards become a draw pile.
up the remaining cards (with the unused Crew cards) and deal each player 5
cards. The remaining cards become a draw pile.
 |
| Play Mat with Crew Cards |
Gameplay
When
taking your turn, start by drawing a card. Now you have 3 options.
taking your turn, start by drawing a card. Now you have 3 options.
Your
first option is to attack an enemy. The goal is to eliminate the other players’
Crew and the game is designed around attacking and reducing numbers. Some
attacks can be defended, while others can’t.
first option is to attack an enemy. The goal is to eliminate the other players’
Crew and the game is designed around attacking and reducing numbers. Some
attacks can be defended, while others can’t.
One
of the attacks is to inflict an illness. This is one of the attacks that can’t
be immediately defended against. On your turn, one option is to cure a crew
member.
of the attacks is to inflict an illness. This is one of the attacks that can’t
be immediately defended against. On your turn, one option is to cure a crew
member.
The
final option is to refill an empty crew space. The number of extra crew is
limited (25 to start and the rest went into the draw). As the game progresses,
the chance of replacing your crew is less.
final option is to refill an empty crew space. The number of extra crew is
limited (25 to start and the rest went into the draw). As the game progresses,
the chance of replacing your crew is less.
Once
the 3 base crew members have been taken out of play, then the First Mate is
vulnerable. After he is out of the way you can focus your attention on the
player’s Captain.
the 3 base crew members have been taken out of play, then the First Mate is
vulnerable. After he is out of the way you can focus your attention on the
player’s Captain.
 |
| Some of the Crew |
Theme
and Mechanics
and Mechanics
Pirates
is always a good theme, especially in a game designed to eliminate your opponents.
is always a good theme, especially in a game designed to eliminate your opponents.
Salty
Dogs uses an easy to learn draw-and-play mechanic along with a basic hand
management component. Because there are only three options during play, the
mechanics fit the outcome of the game.
Dogs uses an easy to learn draw-and-play mechanic along with a basic hand
management component. Because there are only three options during play, the
mechanics fit the outcome of the game.
 |
| Attack Cards |
Artwork
and Components
and Components
Artwork
is what makes Salty Dogs. Everything is anthropomorphic (animals represent
everything). It is all along the lines of cartoon art for the lower age range
Salty Dogs is designed for.
is what makes Salty Dogs. Everything is anthropomorphic (animals represent
everything). It is all along the lines of cartoon art for the lower age range
Salty Dogs is designed for.
The
Good
Good
- The
art is fun - This
is a good cabin game (small and easy to transport and can be played just about
anywhere) - Easy
and fast to learn - Easy
to teach (one young player was able to teach another) - Family
friendly - Filler
game
 |
| Defense Cards |
Final
Thoughts
Thoughts
Salty Dogs is a good game for families with younger
players who want to join in on game night. This is a game they can learn and
play on their own. We noticed their games took longer as they took in the
artwork and had commentary going along with the characters they were creating
on the spot.
players who want to join in on game night. This is a game they can learn and
play on their own. We noticed their games took longer as they took in the
artwork and had commentary going along with the characters they were creating
on the spot.
Players
Who Like
Who Like
- Dead
Man’s Draw - Socializing
during play
Check out Salty Dogs on
Daniel Yocom – Reviewer
Daniel Yocom does geeky things by night because his day job won’t let him. This dates back to the 1960s through games, books, movies, and stranger things better shared in small groups. He’s written hundreds of articles about these topics for his own blog, other websites, and magazines along with stories, after extensive research. His research includes attending conventions, sharing on panels and presentations, and road-tripping with his wife. Join in the geeky fun at guildmastergaming@blogspot.com.
See Daniel’s reviews HERE.
