Quick Answer
Sandships is a desert survival card game where you build ships and navigate dunes to reach an oasis before your opponents. The goal is to manage resources and avoid hazards.
What You Need to Play
Sandships is part of the Pyramid Arcade collection, which includes reference cards for each of its 22 games. The Sandships Card is a matching reference card for the pyramid game called Sandships. You will need a set of Looney Pyramids (triangular pieces) and a few dice to play. The game supports 2–4 players and takes about 20–30 minutes per session.
If you own Pyramid Arcade, you already have the reference card. If not, you can purchase the Sandships Card separately as a standalone reference. The card itself does not contain the full rules—it is a quick-reference guide for the game.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
New players often forget that you can only move one space per turn unless you use a special ability. Another frequent error is hoarding resources—spending them early to build ships is usually better than saving for later. Finally, remember that the oasis is only reachable if you have a complete ship; partial ships cannot cross the final dune.
How to Play Sandships: Step-by-Step
- Set Up the Board: Place the Sandships reference card in the center. Each player chooses a color and takes three pyramids of that color (one large, one medium, one small). Place your pyramids in a line to form your ship. Shuffle the deck of action cards and place them face-down. Make sure each player has exactly three pyramids of the same color. Mixing colors can cause confusion later.
- Understand the Turn Order: Players take turns clockwise. On your turn, draw one action card from the deck, then play one card from your hand. Action cards let you move, attack, or repair your ship. You may also choose to discard a card to gain one resource token (sand or water). You can only hold a maximum of three cards in your hand. Discard excess cards at the end of your turn.
- Move Your Ship: To move, play a 'Move' action card. Move your ship one space forward on the board (toward the oasis). Some cards allow you to move two spaces, but only if your ship is fully assembled (all three pyramids stacked). A common mistake is trying to move with a damaged ship. If any pyramid is missing, you cannot move at all until it is repaired.
- Attack Opponents: Play an 'Attack' card to target an opponent's ship. Roll a die: on a 4–6, you knock off one pyramid from their ship. That pyramid is removed from play until they use a 'Repair' card. On a 1–3, nothing happens. Attacking is risky—you waste a card if the roll fails. Focus on building your own ship first unless an opponent is close to winning.
- Reach the Oasis: The oasis is the final space on the board. To win, you must land exactly on the oasis space with a fully assembled ship (all three pyramids stacked). If you overshoot, you bounce back one space. Plan your moves carefully. Overshooting can set you back several turns, giving opponents a chance to catch up.
Product Facts
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Sandships Card: Pyramid Arcade includes reference cards for each of its 22 games. This is a matching card for the pyramid game called Sandships. If you own Pyramid Arcade, you already have the Sandships reference card. Buying the standalone card is only necessary if you want a separate copy or don't own the full collection.
Sandships Card
