Forbidden Stars Game Rules

Hey there! Welcome to the Forbidden Stars Game Rules. I’m here to guide you through the exciting world of Forbidden Stars and help you get started on your epic journey. So, let’s dive right in!

Objective

Okay, first things first, let’s talk about the objective of the game. In Forbidden Stars, your goal is to conquer the galaxy and secure victory for your faction. You’ll need to strategically manage your resources, build your armies, and conquer planets to achieve victory. It’s all about tactical choices and outsmarting your opponents.

Setting Up

Setting up the game is easy-peasy. Start by placing the hexagonal map tiles to create the galaxy. Each player selects a faction and gathers their faction cards, influence tokens, resources, and miniatures. You’ll want to lay out these components in front of you so you can easily access them during gameplay.

Gameplay

Now that we’ve set up, let’s talk about gameplay. The game is played over a series of turns, with each turn divided into four phases: Strategy, Command, Battle, and Clean-up.

During the Strategy Phase, you’ll assign your strategy cards to different sectors on the game board. This determines which actions you can take during the Command Phase. You’ll want to choose wisely and consider your opponents’ moves to gain the upper hand.

In the Command Phase, you’ll carry out the actions specified on your strategy cards. This is where you’ll move your armies, build structures, and recruit units. You’ll need to carefully manage your resources and prioritize your actions to maximize your chances of success.

Once the Command Phase is complete, it’s time for the Battle Phase. This is where conflicts arise, and you’ll engage in tactical battles with your opponents. You’ll use your armies and units to conquer planets and defend your territories. Victory in battle depends on careful planning and strategic use of your resources and abilities.

Finally, we have the Clean-up Phase. In this phase, you’ll resolve any lingering effects from the previous phases, refresh your resources, and prepare for the next turn. It’s a chance to regroup, reassess your strategy, and get ready for the next round.

Winning the Game

The game continues until one player achieves victory conditions specified in their faction’s objective card. These victory conditions can range from controlling a certain number of planets to achieving specific milestones. Once a player fulfills their objective, they win the game and bask in the glory of their conquest!

Conclusion

And that’s it! You now have a solid understanding of the Forbidden Stars Game Rules. It’s time to gather your wits, marshal your forces, and embark on an epic galactic adventure. So, grab your strategy cards, rally your armies, and conquer the galaxy in Forbidden Stars!

Remember, victory awaits those who strategize cleverly and conquer boldly. Good luck, and may the stars align in your favor!

• 1 Rules Reference
• 112 Combat Cards
• 32 Event Cards
• 32 Order Tokens
• 20 Order Upgrade Cards
• 24 Objective Tokens
• 1 Round Track and 1 Round Marker
• 12 Double-Sided System Tiles
• 36 Structure Control Tokens
• 1 First Player Token
• 36 Asset Tokens
• 4 Reference Cards
• 12 Combat Tokens
• 4 Materiel Dials
• 4 Faction Sheets
• 4 Warp Storm Tokens
• 35 Plastic Structures
• 105 Plastic Units

Setup

Before we start playing Forbidden Stars, we need to get everything ready:

In the game, there are a few important steps to follow before you can start playing. Let’s go through them together:

1. Choose Your Faction: First things first, you need to choose a faction. Each player selects one faction and gathers all the corresponding faction items like sheets, tokens, event cards, upgrade cards, combat cards, and units. If you’re playing with fewer than four players for the first game, you’ll need to exclude the Orks and Eldar factions from a two-player game, and the Eldar faction from a three-player game.
2. Claim Your Starting Components: Once you’ve chosen your faction, it’s time to claim your starting components. Check the “Initial Forces” box on the back of your faction sheet and gather all the components listed there. Flip your faction sheet faceup and place the claimed components on top of it. Don’t forget to grab a materiel dial and set it to “6” – this value is also listed in the “Initial Forces” box.

By following these steps, you’ll be ready to dive into the exciting world of the game. Remember to have fun and may the best faction win!

Determining the First Player: We’ll start by choosing the first player. To do this, we’ll mix one structure control marker from each player and draw one randomly. The player assigned to that marker becomes the first player.

Constructing the Game Board: Now let’s set up the game board. For the first game, we’ll arrange the necessary system tiles in the center of the play area, following the positions shown in the “Introductory Setup” diagram below. If we’re playing with fewer than four players, we’ll exclude part of the game board. Next, we’ll place the units, structures, structure control tokens, objective tokens, and Warp Storm tokens on the game board, following the positions shown in the diagram. We won’t place any tokens or units from the unused factions. Finally, the Ork’s “Initial Forces” reinforcement token won’t be placed on the game board, but will remain near the Ork faction sheet until it’s used.

Once you’ve finished setting up, make sure all your pieces are in your play area like this. Now you’re ready to start the first round of the game.

How the Game Works

Let me explain how Forbidden Stars works. It’s actually quite simple! The game is divided into rounds, and each round has three phases that we need to go through. Here’s the order in which they happen:

1. Planning Phase: This is where we take turns placing order tokens on the game board. We strategize and choose our actions carefully.
2. Operations Phase: Now it’s time to put our plans into action! We take turns resolving the order tokens we placed earlier. This is where the real excitement begins!
3. Refresh Phase: After all the action, it’s time to regroup and get ready for the next round. In this phase, we collect objectives, gather resources, rally our units, move Warp Storms, and resolve event cards. The first player also passes the first player token and advances the round marker on the round track.

Once we finish the Refresh Phase, we start a new round with a fresh Planning Phase. We keep playing rounds until one of us collects enough objective tokens to win the game. It’s all about strategy, quick thinking, and adapting to the changing game board. Let’s get started and may the best player win!

Phase 1: Planning Phase

In the Planning Phase, I get to make decisions about the actions I want to take in the game. This is where I strategically place my order tokens facedown on the game board. Each token represents an action I want to take. It’s like having a secret plan that only I know about. How exciting!

Once all the tokens are placed, it’s time for the Operations Phase. This is when everyone reveals their tokens and carries out the actions they planned. It’s like watching a hidden strategy unfold right before your eyes. Can you imagine the surprises that will happen?

So, here’s how we begin the Planning Phase: I put one of my order tokens facedown on a system tile’s order token box. Then, the other players take turns doing the same thing, but clockwise. We keep going until everyone has placed four order tokens on the game board.

Now, we have to place our order tokens facedown. That way, the type of order we choose is a secret. If a system already has order tokens, I just stack mine on top. The order token on the top is always the most recently placed one.

I want to stress something important: you can’t just place an order token in a system if you don’t have a unit or structure in that system, or in a system adjacent to it. Each system is connected to the systems it shares an edge with. However, if two systems only share a corner and not an edge, they are not considered adjacent. Make sure you keep this in mind when planning your moves.

The Different Types of Order Tokens

Order tokens are essential in Forbidden Stars. They allow players to carry out important actions like moving units, attacking with units, and building new units and structures.

There are four types of order tokens. Each type has a different effect when revealed by a player. Be prepared for the outcome that corresponds to the type of token you reveal.

Let’s Talk About Deploying: When you play a game, you have the option to use your resources, called materiel, to buy new units and structures in the system.

Let’s plan: You can buy an order upgrade, a combat upgrade, or both. After that, put the order token on your event deck so you can draw an event card during the Refresh Phase.

Get the Upper Hand: When I dominate a system, I get benefits from all the worlds in that system that are under my control. Plus, I can use a unique ability that’s listed on my faction sheet.

Advance: I can move my units to the system and start a combat.

I’ll explain the details of each order type later.

Phase 2: Operations Phase

Now, it’s time for the Operations Phase. We take turns resolving the order tokens we placed during the Planning Phase. It starts with the first player and goes clockwise. We each choose one of our order tokens from the top of our stack. Then, we reveal the chosen order token, do what it says, and remove it from the game board. We keep doing this until we’ve resolved all our order tokens.

When it’s my turn to reveal an order token, I can either do what it says or put the token faceup on top of my event deck. If I put it on my event deck, I can draw one event card during the Refresh Phase.

Note: If I don’t have any order tokens on the top of any stack, I have to skip my turn. However, if I do have one on top of a stack, I must resolve an order during my next turn.

Phase 3: Refresh Phase

During the Refresh Phase, I collect materiel and objective tokens from friendly worlds – worlds that only contain my units or structures. Additionally, I rally my routed units, preparing them for the next game round.

Here are the steps I need to follow during the Refresh Phase:

1. Collect Objectives
2. Collect Materiel
3. Rally Routed Units
4. Draw Events and Move Warp Storms
5. End of Round

Once I complete these steps, a new game round begins.

Collect Objectives

When I’m playing a game, I gather up all my objective tokens from the planets I control. Then I put them in the “Objective Token” section on my faction sheet, so everyone can keep track of how many I have.

To win the game, you need to collect objective tokens equal to the number of players in the game.

Get Materiel

Most worlds have a green materiel icon with a number on it, which indicates their materiel value.

During the Refresh Phase, you gain materiel equal to the materiel value of each friendly world. When you gain materiel, you increase your materiel dial by that amount.

Bring Back Routed Units

You need to rally all your routed units. Routed units are units that have become unable to move or be used because of combat. They are placed on their side to show this. A routed unit cannot help with combat or orbital strikes, and it also cannot contribute its dice or morale. To rally a unit, you just need to stand it back up so it’s in its normal state.

Let’s Explore Events and Warp Storms!

When it’s my turn, I get to draw a number of cards from my event deck that matches the number of order tokens I have placed on top of it. After drawing the cards, I put the order tokens back in my supply.

Now, it’s time to choose an event card from the ones I just drew. I start as the first player and we go around the table clockwise. Each player gets to pick a card and do something with it. I’m going to move a Warp Storm on the game board, following the special symbol shown on my chosen card. This is going to be interesting!

Events cards come in two categories: tactics and schemes. They each have their own unique abilities that can make a big impact on the game. I can’t wait to see what they have in store for me!

When I encounter a tactic event card, I take care to shuffle it back into my event deck. But when it comes to scheme event cards, I keep them faceup next to my faction sheet. I can use their effects later, just as they are described on the card. Once I’ve resolved my event card, I make sure to shuffle any unchosen event cards from my hand back into my deck.

What exactly are Warp Storms?

Hey there! Did you know that there’s a whole other dimension out there, lurking beyond reality? It’s called the Warp, and let me tell you, it’s quite the wild and crazy place. In the epic world of Warhammer 40,000, the Warp is what allows interstellar travel and brings psychic powers to life. But there’s a catch – the Warp is anything but stable.

Every once in a while, the Warp decides to crash the party and bleed into our reality. These terrifying events, known as Warp Storms, can tear through entire star systems, leaving nothing but destruction in their wake. Navigating through these storms is like trying to find your way in a hurricane – good luck with that!

Now, let’s talk about Forbidden Stars. In this mind-blowing game, you’ll come face to face with Warp Storms. These storms are represented by special tokens that are placed on the game board. And guess what? You can’t move your units through them. Nope, it’s like hitting a brick wall.

But here’s the twist – these Warp Storms don’t just sit there, looking pretty. Oh no! They have a mind of their own and move around the game board at the end of each round. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on things, bam! The Warp Storms decide to dance and change everything up.

So, what does this mean for you? Well, it means you’re gonna have to think on your feet and adapt to the ever-changing game board. You never know what surprises the Warp has in store for you. One minute, you’re cruising along, and the next, you’re caught in the middle of a raging Warp Storm.

But hey, that’s the beauty of Forbidden Stars. It keeps you on your toes, adds an extra layer of excitement, and makes every game unique. So, embrace the chaos and dive into the thrilling world of Warhammer 40,000. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

Moving Warp Storms

When it comes to moving a Warp Storm, I have an important task: choose a Warp Storm that hasn’t moved yet this phase. Now, here comes the fun part. You get to move the token in one of two directions, as shown by the awesome Warp Storm movement icon on the right side of your event card.

Let me tell you about the eight directions a Warp Storm can move. It’s like a wild whirlwind that can go in different ways.

You can’t place a Warp Storm token on top of another one. They all need their own space.

Now, when you’re picking a Warp Storm and deciding how to move it, you have to always make choices that will actually move it. You can’t just keep it in one place.

Here’s something important: Even if you didn’t draw any event cards, you still have to move a Warp Storm. It’s like a rule. So, what you do is you reveal the top card from your event deck and move a Warp Storm according to the symbol on that card. You just move it and then put the card back into your deck, without doing whatever it says on the card.

When the Round Ends

So here’s how it works: you start with a player token, and the first player passes it to the person on their left. Then, that first player moves the round marker ahead by one space on the round track. But wait, there’s a catch. If the round marker reaches the “8” space on the track, the game is over! And guess what? The player with the most objective tokens wins!

Game Over!

I’m excited to let you know that the game ends when you’ve gathered a specific number of your objective tokens. The magic number is the same as the number of players in your game. So, if you’re playing with two players, you win by collecting two of your objective tokens!

But, in case nobody reaches that milestone by the end of the eighth round, don’t fret! The game still has to come to an end, so we’ll switch things up. The winner will be the player who has collected the most objective tokens so far. So keep your spirits up and keep collecting those tokens!