Instead of throwing all the new game mechanisms on your plate, we have split them into 6 modules. You can add a single module to the game, a few, or all at once! These are the new modules, as shown on the box art. From top, clockwise:
1 – Forts. In the base game you have to watch out for pirates and other players when sailing, and nothing else. If you deliver spices to your home island, they are safe. Not anymore! You start with a fortress on your home island that you can use to defend yourself against other players who want to steal your spices. Pirates get 2 forts on the 'High Seas' to help them. But if you defeat them, those fortresses can become yours!
2 – Settlements. Because there are more options to spend your money on in this expansion, it is fair that you can also earn more money. You can now build settlements on local islands without trade cards on them. These settlements produce crates of merchandise for you, and also act as a port to protect you from attacks!
3 – Treasures. Like settlements, treasures help you get more money. If you find a treasure you get extra money! You can spend this nicely in modules 1 and 6.
4 – Events. You can no longer only find trade cards on islands. When you least expect it, lightning strikes! Or do you summon the Kraken? Or who knows, maybe something helpful will happen! This also means that you can no longer safely look at the last map of an island. It could be an event, which means the deck is empty and you can be attacked!
5 – Coral reefs. Another danger for you, your opponents and the pirates! Do you play it safe and sail around it, or do you take the risk and hope you get through it safely? Getting stuck is no fun, unless it happens with the pirates!
6 – Crew. If there are no more cards on the islands in the base game, they are no longer interesting. Not anymore! You can also build settlements there, but the locals on the island are also looking for something to do! Pay a local for their services and upgrade your ship in a whole new way! But be careful in battle so your crew doesn't die!