Rum & Bones is a miniatures board game where players control fantastic pirate crews engaged in fierce combat. Inspired by MOBA style video games, Rum & Bones' gameplay is deep, fast-paced, and highly strategic. The game pits two pirate factions, controlled by 2 to 6 players, whose ships are locked in combat, with each crew attempting to board the enemy ship and disable it.

Each ship's single-minded crew of Deckhands and Bosuns charge headlong across the gangplanks to attack key deck features on the enemy ship. These lowly crewmen are not directly controlled by the players. They form a constantly-replenishing mob of pirates charging towards the enemy, but the crews are evenly matched, so it's up to the player-controlled Heroes to shift the tide of battle!

Each faction has five types of Heroes at their disposal: Captain, Quartermaster, Swashbuckler, Gunner and Brute. Each of these roles has its own general place in the battle. However, each Hero is still unique, with their own set of attacks, abilities, and reactions to crush the enemy or give their crew the push they need!

The Wellsport Brotherhood and Bone Devils factions included in the core box also have access to unique powers via their Tide Decks. The 30 cards in these decks (most of them unique to each faction) can be played at different times, bringing about unexpected effects, surprise attacks, welcome boosts, or even summon a Sea Dragon!

Just beware that these startling abilities might just attract the attention of that mythical terror from the depths, the Kraken! The Kraken and Sea Dragon are enemies to all pirates, but their intervention can be advantageous to you in the right moment. And slaying these legendary creatures might give you the glory necessary to be victorious in battle!