Pirate Hexes is a simple fast-paced set of rules for naval combat in the age of sail. It is played with miniatures on a hex mat. The object of the game is to capture enemy ships and islands, and with optional rules one can also collect treasure and rescue marooned captives. The movement and combat mechanics are so simple that after playing for a short time no tables or reference sheets are needed, though a one-sided quick-reference sheet is supplied. The basic game can be played on a hex mat as small as 9 x 9 hexes, and very large engagements with several players can be played in a short period of time. Optional rules are included for forts, fog, coral reefs, sargasso seas, sea monsters, whirlpools, treasure islands, and neutral treasure ships. Other game elements of the player’s own design can be easily plugged in, and the rules can be used to re-create historical engagements. The ships may be based in any manner, or simple carboard counters can be employed. —description from the publisher