Star-field Game Mat
The star-field game mat (hereafter referred to as the battlefield) has a hex grid of 13 hexes wide by 11 hexes deep superimposed on the mat. The battlefield is divided into three sectors by two dotted lines, giving each player a left wing sector, a centre sector and a right wing sector. Where the dotted line cuts through a hex, the hex is considered to be part of both a wing sector and the centre sector.
The half-hexes that border the sides of the battlefield are not considered part of the battlefield and are not in play.
Space Features
There are two types of space feature tiles: Asteroids and Planet Groups. For a description and rules for these features, see the “Space Features” rules section.
Starships
Note: Prior to the first game, each ship model, except for the cap fighters, will need to be placed onto a base.
There are three classes of starships: Capital, Strike and Fighter.
Capital Class
A flagship unit has one flagship figure and three cap fighters.
A heavy battleship squadron has four battleship figures in a unit.
A battleship squadron has three battleship figures in a unit.
Strike Class
A heavy cruiser squadron has four cruiser ship figures in a unit.
A standard cruiser squadron has three cruiser ship figures in a unit.
A heavy destroyer squadron has four destroyer ship figures in a unit.
A standard destroyer squadron has three destroyer ship figures in a unit.
Fighter Class
A heavy long-range fighter squadron has four fighter figures in a unit.
A standard long-range fighter squadron has three fighter figures in a unit.
Note: Battleship, cruiser, destroyer and fighter figures are used to represent both heavy and standard units. The main difference between a heavy and a standard unit is the starting number of ships in the unit, four ships in a heavy unit and three ships in a standard unit.
Cap fighters are a special type of fighter figure. Cap fighter figures are assigned to protect a larger vessel and are deployed as part of a flagship unit. Cap fighters must move with the ship they are deployed with and are part of
that unit.
Unit Markers
The unit markers shown here are an example of unit markers of one faction. Each faction has its own unique background colour. Note: The terms standard and long-range are not noted on unit markers.
The front of a unit marker contains the following details:
- Small hexes (the number of hexes is equal to the unit’s sub-light movement)
- Unit type (name)
- Unit symbol (purple square, blue triangle and green circle)
- Combat value (which is the number of dice the unit rolls at different ranges)
The back of a unit marker contains the number of victory points gained when the unit is eliminated.
- Only one marker is placed in a hex with a unit.
- The marker will stay with the unit until the unit is eliminated.
- When the unit is eliminated, the marker is given to your opponent.
- To help track the units that are fighting for your faction, a player should keep the unit marker slightly behind the ship figures that make up the unit.
Command Cards
Command cards are used to order units. Ordered units can move, battle, or do other special actions.
Combat Cards
Combat cards represent powerful tactical, and sometimes unexpected, battle actions. These cards may hinder the opposition task force, enhance a player’s units or may instantly change the course of a fight.
Task Force Cards
A task force card represents a temporary grouping of starship units formed for the purpose of carrying out a specific operation or mission.
Each task force card lists the number and type of ships (1) that make up the task force and the points value (2) of the ships in the task force.
Star Tokens
Star tokens are a measurement of each faction’s resources, leadership and luck. Star tokens also act as the currency that fuels the play of combat cards and a number of basic star play actions that are only available through the use of star tokens.
Faction Markers
Faction markers are used in a number of ways.
- Faction markers are used to mark a faction’s deployment hexes on the star-field game mat at the start of a scenario.
- Faction markers are also used as victory point counters to track victory points that are gained when occupying a certain space feature hex or completing other specific scenario objectives.
Red Alert Markers
When a unit retires because of two or more red alerts, a red alert maker is placed on the hex with the unit that retired.
Cloaking Device Markers
Place a cloaking device marker with a unit when the “Cloaking Device” combat card is played on an ordered unit.
Capital Ship Debris Tiles
When a capital ship is eliminated and the capital ship model is removed from the battlefield, place a capital ship debris tile on the hex. For additional details, see the “Space Features” rules section.
Battle Dice
The six-sided battle dice are used to resolve combat and for other game functions.
Unit Summary Sheet
The unit summary sheet shows important ship data:
- Purchase Points
- Class
- Ship Name
- Figures – number of figures in unit
- Sub-Light Movement – movement in hexes
- Battle – number of battle dice rolled at various ranges
- Unit Hit On – what icon (shape/colour) is needed to score a hit on the unit (green circle, blue triangle, purple square and blast)
- Shields & Manoeuvre – states the number of blast icons that are ignored from the various ship classes
- Notes
- Red Alert – states when a unit can ignore a red alert
- Victory Points – when a unit is eliminated, this is the number of points the unit is worth to your opponent.
Victory Stands
A victory stand is used to help track and organize a player’s victory points. At the start of a game, a player’s victory stand is placed in his play area.