Ad Astra Game Rules

Hey there! Welcome to the wonderful world of Ad Astra. Are you ready to embark on an epic adventure through the stars? Strap yourself in because I’m about to take you on a journey you won’t forget!

Let’s talk about the game rules. I’ll break it down for you nice and simple, so you won’t have any trouble understanding.

First things first, the objective of Ad Astra is to build the most successful space empire possible. You’ll start off with a small planet and a handful of resources. It’s up to you to explore the galaxy, colonize new worlds, and trade with other players to expand your empire. The player with the most victory points at the end of the game wins. Sounds exciting, right?

Now, let’s talk about the game board. The board is divided into sectors, each representing a different region of space. These sectors are filled with planets, asteroids, and other celestial objects waiting to be discovered. As you explore, you’ll uncover new planets and claim them for your empire. The more planets you have, the more resources you’ll generate. It’s like having your own little corner of the universe!

Next up, let’s discuss the turn structure. The game is played over a series of turns, with each player taking their turn one at a time. On your turn, you can perform various actions such as exploring new sectors, colonizing planets, or trading resources. You’ll need to carefully manage your resources and make strategic decisions to outwit your opponents. It’s a game of brains and brawn!

Of course, no space empire is complete without a bit of conflict. As you expand your empire, you may come into contact with other players. Diplomacy is always an option, but sometimes a good old-fashioned space battle is inevitable. You can build ships, upgrade them, and send them out to conquer other planets. Just make sure to protect your own planets too, or else your empire could crumble before your eyes!

Now, let’s talk victory points. Victory points are earned by achieving certain objectives throughout the game. You can earn points by colonizing new planets, building impressive structures, or by being the first to discover rare artifacts. Keep an eye on your opponents and try to outscore them at every turn.

And that’s about it! The rules may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it in no time. So grab your spaceship and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime. Welcome to Ad Astra, where the stars are the limit!

• 1 planning board
• 150 resource cards
• 55 action cards
• 25 starship pawns
• 25 colony pawns
• 25 factory pawns
• 25 terraformer pawns
• 11 alien artifacts cards
• 43 planets:
• 9 stars
• 5 scoring tokens, 1 per player
• 1 first player token
• 5 player reference sheets
• Rulebook

Object of the Game

I want to tell you about a game. In the game, we try to build a civilization and score points to win. We do this by performing different actions.

The game ends when a player gets 50 points or when we explore all the planets. When one of these things happens, the game is over, and the player with the most points wins!

Let’s Get Started!

First things first, we need to set up the game. We each choose our favorite color and gather all the pieces that come with it:

• 11 action cards
• 4 starship pawns
• 4 colony pawns
• 4 factory pawns
• 4 terraformer pawns
• 1 scoring token
• 1 reference card

Scoring Tokens

Now, let’s place the nine stars on the table, face up. Most of them are either yellow or red, and each one has its own unique shape – it could be large, small, twin, or nebula. But there’s one star that’s white, and that’s Sol, our very own sun. This is where our journey begins!

Around the white star, let’s place face-down planets equal to the number of players. This is our starting system, and each star with planets around it is called a system.

When we start playing the game, we each have a planet in the starting system. I turn one of my planets face up, doing it randomly. Then, I place a factory on that planet. Oh, and by the way, I can’t choose an alien planet as my starting planet. If I do, I have to replace it with a different random planet. That’s just the rule.

Now, as for the other planets, I put them around the other suns. They’re face down, so nobody knows what’s there. And I should have between three and seven planets in each system. It doesn’t matter how I arrange them, as long as there’s at least three and no more than seven. Anything goes.

Here’s what to do with those resource cards: I sort them by type, and then I put them in separate drawing decks. They’re face up, so everyone can see them. And I put them right next to where we’re playing. That’s our resource bank, and we can use those cards to help us during the game. Pretty cool, right?

Don’t forget about the alien artifact cards. I shuffle them up and put them in a pile next to us. They’re face down, so we can’t see them. But they’ll come into play later, and they might be really useful. It’s a bit of a mystery, and I like that.

Just a quick note before we start: we need to decide if we want to use the “Omnibus Rebus Responsum” and “Magnum et Antiquum Arcanum” cards. They’re optional, so it’s up to us. If we do, we include them in the game. They could add a whole new level of strategy and excitement. Sounds interesting, right?

Hey there! Let me walk you through the steps to set up and play the game “Ad Astra.”

To start, each player gets one resource card of each type. Then, you’ll place the planning board on the table. If there are 3 or 4 players, you’ll use the first 12 spaces on the board. If there are 5 players, use all 15 spaces.

Next, it’s time to determine who goes first. Take turns choosing a random player until one is selected. This player becomes the first player and takes the first player token. Now, each player puts their scoring token on the “0” space of the victory points track on the planning board.

Now, each player can place one of their starships anywhere in “deep space” on the table, which means anywhere between the star systems. And with that, the first round begins!

Here’s an example of the setup!

Game Play

The game is played in rounds. Each round has a planning phase and an action phase.

Planning Phase

In the first round, we randomly choose who goes first. This person remains the first player until someone reveals a scoring card. After that, the first player becomes the person who played the scoring card last.

To start the game, we go around the table in clockwise order, starting with the first player. Each player takes turns playing one of their action cards facedown on any of the empty spaces on the planning board.

This goes on until all the spaces on the board are filled. In a game with 4 or 5 players, each player will play a total of three cards during this phase. In a game with 3 players, each player will play four cards.

Note: You can place the action cards anywhere on the planning board, even on empty spaces. You don’t have to fill the lower-numbered spaces before the higher-numbered ones.

Action Phase

After filling all the spaces, it’s time to reveal the cards. Start with the card on the first space of the board, and reveal it completely before moving on to the next one.

When a card is revealed, each player can perform the action depicted on it. The owner of the card goes first, and then it continues clockwise around the table.

Exception: The “Identical Resources” and “Different Resources” scoring cards have a special rule. They are carried out starting with the player to the left of the owner.

When playing this game, all of us need to complete each action before moving on to the next one. This is an important rule to follow.

What Happens at the End of the Round

Once we have resolved the last action card, it’s time to check our resource cards. We should not have more than 10 in our hand. If we do, we must get rid of some cards until we have only 10 left.

After that, we can take back our used action cards, except for the scoring ones. We only get those back when we’ve used all three of them. When we have our cards back, it’s time to start the next round!

Let’s Talk About the Action Cards

Production

<p>I remember when I first started writing, I spent hours upon hours crafting the perfect opening line for my articles, blogs, and stories. </p>

Keywords

• writing
• crafting
• opening line
• articles
• blogs
• stories
• hours upon hours

Writing: My Journey of Crafting the Perfect Opening Line

I vividly recall the time when I first delved into the world of writing. I would tirelessly labor over my articles, blogs, and stories, striving to conceive a glorious opening that would captivate readers and leave a lasting impression. The process consumed me, often resulting in hours upon hours of arduous work. But oh, the sheer excitement and pride that would envelop me when I finally forged that impeccable beginning!

When I reveal a production card, I get to decide which type of resource I want to produce. I can choose from the two resource types shown on the card.

It’s important to note that my choice affects all the players in the game. No one else can choose a different resource to produce.

Once I’ve made my decision, each player receives resource cards based on the chosen type and their presence on the planets. For each colony and starship on a planet that matches the chosen resource, a player receives 1 resource card. And for each factory on a matching planet, a player receives 2 resource cards. These cards are taken from the resource bank.

Let me give you an example. If I have both a starship and a colony on a planet that matches the chosen resource, I would receive 2 resource cards. But if I have a factory and a starship on the planet, I would receive 3 resource cards.

When it comes to playing this game, there’s a special rule that you need to keep in mind. I’m talking about what happens when there aren’t enough resource cards available in the bank. If this happens, you don’t have to worry! The game has a solution for this situation.

You see, if there aren’t enough of the right type of resource cards in the bank, the players will still receive cards. How? Well, let me explain. In this case, the action card owner is the first player to receive a resource card. After that, the other players will receive cards in clockwise order, until all the resource cards in the bank have been given out.

Oh, and there’s something important to note. Alien planets don’t produce resources, so you won’t receive any cards from them.

Movement

So, here’s the deal. When I reveal a movement card, I can move one of my starships. I have three options: I can move it to one of the two star systems shown on the card, I can move it between two planets within one of the two star systems shown on the card, or I can move it from a star system into deep space.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. After I make my move, it’s the other players’ turn. Starting with the person on my left, they can also move one starship, but they have to follow the same rules as me.

But wait, there’s more! After everyone else has had their turn, I get another chance to move. This time, I can move all of my other starships, still following the same rules.

Oh, and one more thing. Moving a starship costs some resources. To be precise, it costs *r resource cards. I’ll explain more about that in a bit.

Oh, and a little heads up: Unlike a production card, where you only use one type of resource, the movement card lets you move to either of the systems listed.

The Cost of Movement

Moving in the game is an essential part of the gameplay. Let me explain how it works.

First, I want to tell you about moving from deep space. Deep space is the area between systems on the gaming table. And the good news is that moving from deep space to a planet is always free. This means that whether it’s your very first movement in the game, the first movement of a newly built starship, or the movement of a starship that moved into deep space earlier in the game, you don’t have to spend any resources to make that move.

Now, let’s talk about moving within the systems shown on the card. To move from one planet to a different planet in the same system, you need to spend 1 resource card with a value of 5. This applies no matter what the two systems on the card are. So, as long as you have that resource card, you can make the move within the system.

But what if you want to move from a planet in a different system to a planet in either of the systems shown on the card? In that case, you’ll need to spend 2 resource cards with a value of 5. This allows you to make the move between different systems.

Now that you know how moving works, you can strategize and plan your movements in the game accordingly. Remember, moving within the same system costs 1 resource card with a value of 5, while moving between different systems requires 2 resource cards with a value of 5. By keeping this in mind, you can make informed decisions and navigate the game more effectively.

I hope this helps you understand the mechanics of moving in the game. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

When I move my starship to a new system or travel between planets in the same system, I have a chance to explore. I can look at all the face-down planets in that system, keeping their secrets hidden from the other players.

Once I’ve surveyed the possibilities, I have two choices. I can move my starship to a planet in the system that is already face-up, leaving the rest hidden. Or I can take a risk, flip over one of the face-down planets for everyone to see, and land my starship on it.

There are rules, though. I can’t land my starship on a planet that already has someone else’s pawn – like a colony, factory, starship, or terraformer. However, I can land on a planet where my own pawn is already hanging out.

Keep in mind: The starting system doesn’t show up as a potential destination on the movement cards, so I can’t move my starship there.

Hey there! Let me tell you something interesting. Did you know that each player in this game has just six systems available on his or her movement cards? That means you have to rely on the action cards of other players to move to the remaining two systems. Pretty cool, right?

Exploring an Extraterrestrial World



Once I stumble upon an unknown planet and fly my starship over to it, I get to pick a random card from the stack of mysterious alien artifacts.

However, if I happen to find an alien artifact planet that has already been discovered (meaning it’s face-up), I don’t get to draw an artifact card.

Construct



When a build card is shown, I can build as many things as I want – colonies, factories, starships, or terraformers.

Next, it’s your turn. You can build one thing. When you build, you have to give the bank the resource cards that you need.

If you don’t have any pawns left in the right color, you can’t build anything.

Colony



Building a colony in the game of Ad Astra is vital for success, but it’s not without its challenges. Let me explain how it works:

To build a colony, I need as well as any one ore, which can be represented by this image: .

Now, I can’t just build a colony anywhere. I can only do so on a planet where I have a starship or on a planet I have terraformed. Once I’ve chosen the planet, I place my colony pawn of my color on it. But here’s the catch: each planet can only have one colony or factory. Once I’ve built one, neither I nor any other player can build an additional colony or factory on that planet.

Building a colony on an alien planet is especially rewarding, as it scores me 3 points. However, I should keep in mind that a colony on an alien planet doesn’t produce any resources. So, while it’s a valuable move, I won’t be able to generate additional benefits from it.

Now, let’s talk about factories.



If I want to build a factory, the cost is slightly different. I’ll need for this. Factories play a crucial role in the game, but I have to be strategic in their placement and consider what resources I’ll need for the future.

So here’s the deal: you can only make a factory on a planet if you’ve already got a colony there. Once you’ve got a colony, it’s out with the old and in with the new – the colony gets replaced with a factory pawn.

Oh, and don’t forget this little nugget of wisdom: when you build a factory, you get to take your colony pawn back from that planet. And guess what? You can use it again later in the game. Talk about recycling!

Now, if you’re feeling adventurous and decide to build your factory on an alien planet, you’ll score a cool 6 points. But, hold your horses, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine. That factory won’t produce any resources. Bummer, I know.

Terraformer





Cost of construction: .

If you own a colony, factory, or starship on a planet, you have the ability to make changes to the planet’s environment. This process is called terraforming. There are two types of planets you can terraform: and .

To begin terraforming, place one of your terraformer pawns on the planet of your choice. Once this is done, you will earn 4 points for the successful terraforming.

It’s worth noting that a terraformed planet can still have a colony or factory, and they will continue to produce resources after the transformation. Furthermore, it’s possible for you to terraform a planet where you have only placed a starship. In such cases, you can later establish a colony on that planet, even if you don’t have a starship there.

Starship



Cost of construction: One of the resources required for building a starship is an ore.

I’m now in deep space; there’s no specific location for me yet. When I decide to venture into a system, the initial movement will come at no cost to me.

Commerce



When a trade card is revealed, I need to show you my resource cards.

If you have the action card, you can trade your resource cards with anyone else playing. We can make the trade right away if we both agree.

You can also trade with the bank by giving them two cards of the same type and getting one resource card of your choice in return.

You can make as many trades as you want, as long as someone wants to trade with you or you have enough resources to trade with the bank.

The rest of us can’t trade among ourselves or with the bank. Finally, we all get our resource cards back.

Scoring



So here’s how it goes: When we see a scoring card, we get to choose between two options on the card. Based on our choice, everyone gets points.

Now, it’s important to remember that once a player reveals a scoring card, they become the first player. No one else can take that spot.

Now, here’s something to note: if you score the most points using the option you chose, you get a 3-point bonus. But if there’s a tie, no one gets the bonus.

Now, unlike other action cards, scoring cards are different. They don’t go back to the players at the end of the round. Instead, we put them aside, face up, next to the planning board. We only get them back when we’ve played all three of our scoring cards.

Hey there! So, let’s talk about something really interesting – colonies and factories.

Now, colonies and factories are a big deal in this game. They’re like the backbone of your operation. They’re what keep you going, what help you thrive and expand. And trust me, you want to thrive in this game.

So, what are colonies, you might ask? Well, think of them as your little home away from home. They’re where you settle down and build your empire. They provide you with resources, new technologies, and lots of cool stuff. Without colonies, you’d be stuck and going nowhere.

Now, factories, on the other hand, are where the magic happens. They’re where you turn those resources into something valuable. You know, kind of like a workshop or a lab. Factories let you create new things, strengthen your position, and dominate the game.

Now, here’s the cool part – colonies and factories go hand in hand. You can’t really have one without the other. You need colonies to provide resources for your factories, and you need factories to transform those resources into something useful. It’s like a beautiful dance, a perfect harmony.

So, when you’re playing this game, you need to keep colonies and factories in mind. They’re your bread and butter, the key to success. Sure, it may seem overwhelming at first, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it’s a total game-changer. You’ll see your empire grow and flourish, and you’ll be unstoppable.

So, my friend, remember this – colonies and factories are the heart and soul of the game. They’re what separates the winners from the losers. So, go out there, build your colonies, set up your factories, and conquer the universe. The sky’s the limit!



When you play the game, you earn points based on the number of colonies and factories you have. For each colony, you get 1 point, and for each factory, you get 2 points. On top of that, the player with the most points also gets a bonus of 3 points. It’s a simple way to keep score and determine the winner.

Starships



Hey, guess what? I’ve got some cool info to share with you! Let’s talk about scoring points in this awesome game called Terraformers. It’s really interesting, so pay attention!

So, here’s the deal. In Terraformers, you earn points based on the number of starships you have in play. It’s pretty simple, really. For each starship you have in play, you score 2 points. Easy peasy, right?

But wait, there’s more! The player who has the most starships in play also gets a special bonus. Yeah, you heard me right – a bonus! This bonus is worth 3 points, and it’s given to the player with the highest number of starships. Talk about a sweet reward!

Now, isn’t that cool? I think it’s a pretty neat way to score points in this game. It’s all about building up your starship collection and racking up those points. So go ahead, gather those starships and aim for the bonus. Remember, the more starships you have in play, the more points you’ll score. Good luck!

Terraformers



When I play this game, I earn 3 points for every planet I terraform. And guess what? If I’m the lucky one who has terraformed the most planets, I get an extra bonus of 3 points! Isn’t that cool?

Systems



When I play a game, I earn points for every system that I have pawns in. Each pawn could be a colony, factory, starship, or terraformer – they all count. The more systems I have a presence in, the more points I get. In fact, if I have a presence in the most systems, I even get a bonus of 3 points. It’s like getting a little extra reward for doing well.

Systems with the Same Resources



Let me explain how this game works. It’s pretty simple and lots of fun! So, starting with the player to the left of the card owner, we go around the table clockwise. Each player can get rid of resource cards they don’t need and score points. You have to get rid of at least 2 cards, but you can toss more if you want. For every card you throw away, you earn 1 point. The owner of the card gets to be the last one to decide how many cards they want to get rid of. Now, here’s the exciting part: the player who throws away the most cards of the same type gets a bonus – 3 whole points! How cool is that?

Different Resources

Alien Artifacts



When you discover an alien planet, you get to draw a random alien artifact card.

One of these cards is the “Alien Warehouse,” and you have to reveal it and use it right away, just like it says on the reference card. You can keep any other alien artifact card you draw a secret from the other players, and choose to use it later in the game.

Remember, each alien artifact card can only be used once. After you use it, it’s gone for good.

If you want to know what a specific artifact card does, you can check the player reference sheet.

How the Game Ends

The game comes to an end in two ways: either when the last planet is revealed or when a player reaches 50 victory points. When either of these conditions is met, the game continues until the current round finishes. The player with the highest score at the end is the winner!

Tips for Playing

In the beginning, try to find a producing planet – you’ll need it to move your starships. If you can’t, go for building colonies and trading goods, which are easier to obtain.

Building colonies is cheaper, especially at first, but starships offer more flexibility. Generally, you won’t win if you don’t build at least one extra starship.

Alien planets may slow you down initially, but they can be extremely valuable in the endgame. Don’t undervalue them!

Hey there! Take a look at the resource coupling on your production cards to amp up your strategy. It’s all about focusing on resources produced by different cards. This way, you’ll be able to produce more resources whenever you need them.

Here’s a tip: avoid getting hung up on multiple elements that require the same score card to turn into victory points. Why? Because you won’t be able to use that card’s score for both during the same turn.

It’s important to adapt to the strategy of your opponents. Try to have one or two scoring elements that will give you the sweet 3-point bonus. That can make a big difference!

Don’t underestimate the power of scoring cards. Don’t wait until the fourth or fifth round to play them. Playing scoring cards early, even if you’re not sure about getting the 3-point bonus, can still be super useful.

Oh, and here’s a juicy nugget: playing a scoring card not only gives you the first player token, but it also makes it easier for you to retrieve your cards later. Talk about double perks!