Battlestar Galactica Game Rules

Hey there, fellow gamer! Are you ready to embark on an epic adventure in the Battlestar Galactica game? Well, hold on tight, because I’m here to guide you through the ins and outs of this thrilling experience.

First things first, let’s talk about the objective of the game. In Battlestar Galactica, you and your friends will take on different roles aboard a spaceship, the Galactica. Together, you must work as a team to protect the fleet from the relentless attacks of the Cylons, a ruthless cybernetic race. Your ultimate goal is to survive and reach the planet Earth, humanity’s last hope for survival.

Now, let’s dive into the gameplay mechanics. Each player will be assigned a specific role, such as a pilot, engineer, or politician. Each role comes with its own special abilities and responsibilities. As a pilot, you’ll be soaring through space, engaging in intense dogfights with the Cylon forces. The engineer, on the other hand, will be responsible for keeping the Galactica in top shape, making sure its systems are running smoothly. And the politician? Well, they’ll be navigating the tricky waters of political intrigue, pulling strings and making tough decisions.

Communication is key in this game. You’ll need to strategize with your teammates, discuss suspicions, and share vital information. But be careful, because not everyone may be who they seem. There may be Cylons lurking among you, disguised as humans. They’ll do whatever it takes to sabotage your mission and destroy the fleet from within.

Throughout the game, unexpected events will arise. It could be a sudden attack from the Cylons or a critical system failure on the Galactica. You’ll need to adapt and make tough choices to keep the ship afloat. Do you sacrifice resources to repair vital systems, or do you focus on strengthening your defenses? These decisions could mean the difference between victory and defeat.

As you progress through the game, tension will rise. Trust will be tested, and suspicions will deepen. You’ll have to rely on your intuition to uncover the hidden Cylons and protect the fleet. But be careful not to accuse innocent crew members, as false accusations may sow discord and compromise your chances of survival.

In the end, victory will come to those who can navigate the treacherous waters of space, uncover the traitors in their midst, and make the right choices at the right time. Will you lead humanity to salvation, or will you succumb to the cunning of the Cylon forces?

So gather your friends, bring your wit and strategy, and prepare for an unforgettable journey into the Battlestar Galactica universe. Good luck, and may the stars be with you!

The game board is the central component of Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game. It provides the framework for gameplay and represents the different locations in the Battlestar Galactica universe.
Each player will receive a character sheet at the beginning of the game. These sheets outline the unique abilities and objectives of each character, allowing players to strategize and work together to achieve their goals.
There are 52 cardboard tokens included in the game. These tokens represent various resources and threats in the game, such as fuel, food, and Cylon ships.
There are 110 large cards in the game. These cards include crisis cards, skill cards, and loyalty cards, each with their own special effects and abilities.
There are also 128 small cards in the game. These cards represent different abilities, events, and items that players can use to their advantage.
An eight-sided die is included in the game. This die is used for various actions and events during gameplay.
32 plastic ships are included in the game. These ships are used to represent the fleet of Battlestars and other ships in the Battlestar Galactica universe.
4 plastic connectors are included in the game. These connectors are used to link the different ship models together to form a cohesive fleet.
10 plastic character stands are included in the game. These stands are used to hold the character sheets in place during gameplay.
A rulebook is included in the game. This rulebook provides detailed instructions and rules for gameplay, helping players understand the mechanics of Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game.

Setup

To prepare for Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game, follow these steps:

When I lay eyes upon Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game, I see a world that is alive. The game board itself serves as the nucleus of this immersive experience, giving form and substance to the vast expanse of the Battlestar Galactica universe. It is here, within these hallowed halls of strategy and tactics, that the destiny of humanity will be decided.

As I begin my odyssey, I am handed a character sheet, a vital document that bestows upon me a unique role and abilities. It is through this humble piece of paper that I will chart my path, navigating the treacherous currents of space, with the fate of the fleet resting squarely on my shoulders.

In my hands, I hold a myriad of cardboard tokens, each representing a precious resource or a dire threat. These tokens breathe life into the game, transforming numbers and statistics into tangible objects. Fuel, food, and Cylon ships become more than mere abstractions; they become the building blocks of my strategies.

The deck of 110 large cards beckons me, each card a gateway to new opportunities and challenges. Crisis cards, skill cards, loyalty cards – they all hold immense power, waiting to be harnessed or exploited. With each draw, I am faced with tough choices, each one shaping the destiny of the fleet. The cards have a voice, whispering secrets and possibilities in my ear.

Not to be outdone, the deck of 128 small cards bursts with potential. These cards hold the key to unexpected twists and turns, granting me new abilities, events, and items. They are the wild cards in the game, capable of turning the tide in an instant, providing moments of triumph or despair.

As I roll the eight-sided die, the fates themselves hold their breath. Its outcome determines the course of action, the success or failure of my endeavors. It is a small, unassuming object, but its impact can be profound.

The sight of the 32 plastic ships fills me with awe. These intricately detailed models breathe life into the Battlestar Galactica universe, giving me a physical representation of the fleet’s might. As I connect and arrange them with the four plastic connectors, I am reminded of the power of unity, the strength that comes from working together as one cohesive force.

On the table before me, I set up the 10 plastic character stands. Each stand serves as a steadfast anchor, holding my character sheet in place, a constant reminder of my objectives and the role I play in this grand tapestry.

Lastly, I consult the rulebook – my guide through this labyrinth of rules and mechanics. It is a tome of knowledge, a treasure trove of wisdom to be consulted and shared. It dispels confusion, offers clarifications, and provides the foundation upon which this epic journey will unfold.

With these preparations complete, I am ready to embark on my adventure. The possibilities stretch out before me, the weight of the universe pressing down on my shoulders. Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game beckons, and I answer the call. Together, we shall face the unknown, defy the odds, and forge a path towards hope and survival.

Get the Game Ready: Put the game board in the middle of the table. Set the food and fuel levels to “8”, the morale level to “10”, and the population level to “12”.
Place Tokens and Ships: Put the eight vipers and four raptors in the “Viper and Raptor Reserves” spot on the game board. Then, put the fleet token on the start spot of the Jump Preparation track. Finally, put all the other tokens (facedown) and plastic ships next to the game board.
Choose the First Player: Pick a player at random to go first. Give them the current player token. This player will choose their character first and take the first turn.
Choose and Place Characters: Let’s start by picking our characters! We’ll take turns, starting with me, and going clockwise. Look at the available characters: political leaders, military leaders, or pilots. You can choose any character type that has the most options available. You can also choose a support character at any time. Once you’ve made your choice, you’ll get a character sheet and a stand-up character token. If you picked a pilot, you’ll also get a piloting token. Finally, place your character token on the location indicated on your character sheet. For example, I might choose Laura Roslin, a political leader, and place my token where it says on my character sheet. The next player can pick any military leader or pilot, or they can choose a support character.
Hand out Title Cards: The first player to receive the President title will be selected from the following options: Laura Roslin, Tom Zarek, and Gaius Baltar. The Admiral title will be given to the first player in this list: William Adama, Saul Tigh, and Helo Agathon. The Admiral will also be given two nuke tokens, while the President will shuffle the Quorum deck and draw one Quorum Card.
Prepare the Loyalty Deck: Make sure to set up the Loyalty deck as specified in the “Creating the Loyalty Deck” sidebar.

Setting Up Other Cards: The first thing you need to do is mix up all the Quorum cards, Crisis cards, Super Crisis cards, and Destination cards. Put them to the side of the game board. Next, organize the Skill cards into five different decks based on their types, which are indicated on the cards themselves. Shuffle each deck separately and place them face down below the colored regions at the bottom of the game board. Finally, place the Kobol Objective Card face up next to the Destination deck. Receiving Skills: Every player, except for the person who starts the game, should draw three Skill Cards. You can choose any cards from the available options. The starting player, however, will not receive any Skill Cards at this time. They will draw Skill Cards at the beginning of their turn.

To start the game, I need to create the Destiny Deck. I’ll deal two of each skill type face down and shuffle them on the game board. Once that’s done, I’ll move on to setting up the ships.

Set Up Ships: First, I’ll place a basestar and three raiders in front of Galactica. Then, I’ll position two vipers below Galactica and two civilian ships behind Galactica.

The Goal of the Game

The goal of the game depends on which team you belong to. Throughout the game, your team is determined by the Loyalty Cards you receive.

If you’re a human player, you win by traveling at least eight units of distance, as specified by the Kobol Objective Card, and jumping one final time.

In the game of Battlestar Galactica, Cylon players have an important mission: to stop the humans from achieving their goal. They can do this by depleting vital resources like food, fuel, morale, and population. Alternatively, they can win by destroying the Galactica or successfully invading it with centurion boarding parties.

The game is played in turns, with each player taking their complete turn one after the other. The game continues until either the humans or the Cylon players emerge victorious. Each turn consists of several steps, which are carried out in a specific order:

1. Receive Skills Step: The current player receives a certain number and type of Skill Cards, as indicated on their character sheet.

2. Movement Step: As a player, you have the option to move to a different location. If you decide to switch ships, whether from Galactica to Colonial One or vice versa, you will need to discard one Skill Card from your hand. This is an important decision you must consider during your turn. Action Step: Once you have settled into your new location, it’s time to choose an action to perform. You have a variety of options available to you, such as actions listed on your location, character sheet, and Skill Cards. This is a crucial step, as your chosen action will have a direct impact on the game. Crisis Step: The game moves forward as the top card of the Crisis deck is drawn and resolved. This card presents a challenge or event that the players must face and overcome. It is up to you and your fellow players to strategize and work together to overcome these crises. Activate Cylon Ships Step (if necessary): If any Cylon ships are currently in play, they will be activated according to the Crisis Card that was drawn. Cylon ships can pose a significant threat to the fleet, so it’s important to be prepared for their activation. Prepare for Jump Step (if necessary): Some Crisis Cards may have the “prepare for jump” icon on them. If this is the case, the fleet token will advance one space up the Jump Preparation track. This track represents the fleet’s progress towards making a jump to a safer location. If the token reaches the end of the track, the fleet will jump, potentially leaving behind any unresolved crises or threats.

These five steps – Movement, Action, Crisis, Activate Cylon Ships, and Prepare for Jump – are essential to the flow and progression of the game. By understanding and effectively utilizing each step, you can increase your chances of survival and success in the game of Battlestar Galactica.

Now that I’ve completed the Prepare for Jump step, it’s time to pass on the current player token and end my turn. I’ll hand the token to the player on my left, and they will start their turn by following the Receive Skills step.

Receive Skills Step

During this step, you’ll draw Skill Cards based on the skills listed on your character sheet. It doesn’t matter how many cards you already have in your hand – you always draw the cards specified on your character sheet.

When I, William Adama, take a look at my set of skills, I notice that I have 3 leadership skills and 2 tactics skills. So, what I do is draw 3 leadership Skill Cards and 2 tactics cards.

Now, some character sheets have what we call multi-skills, which are skills that have multiple colors. If you have a multi-skill, things get a little tricky. When you receive Skill Cards, you need to decide how many cards you want to draw from each type. The important thing is that the total number of cards you draw must be equal to the number listed on your sheet. So, you need to carefully choose which skills to prioritize!

Hey there! It’s my turn as Lee “Apollo” Adama. So, I’ll draw two piloting and one tactics Skill Cards because that’s what my character sheet says. But, I have a choice too. If I want, I can draw two leadership or two politics Skill Cards – or even one of each – because I have this cool 2 leadership/politics multi-skill! Exciting, huh?

Time to Move

Now, during this step, I can move my character token to another spot. If I decide to move to a different ship, I have to give up one of my Skill Cards. It’s important to note that us humans can’t move to Cylon places, and revealed Cylons can only go to Cylon locations.

Okay, so let’s say it’s my turn and I really want to move from “Command” on Galactica to the “Press Room” on Colonial One. In that case, I gotta discard one of my piloting Skill Cards from my hand. So, off goes the Skill Card and I get to zoom over to the “Press Room.” Cool, right?

If I’m flying a Viper, I have the option to move to a neighboring space area in this step. Alternatively, I can discard a Skill Card to move to a location on Galactica or Colonial One and put my Viper back in the “Reserves”.

Action Step

During this step, I get to choose one action to take. Take a look at the different action types below, usually identified by the word “Action:” followed by a special ability.

Activate Location: I can perform the action listed on my character’s current location.
Skill Card Action: I can play a Skill Card from my hand to perform the specified action on the card. Not all Skill Cards have actions on them, though.

Character Action: You can do something from the actions listed on your character sheet. Keep in mind that not all character sheets have actions listed.
Activate your Viper: If you’re piloting a Viper, you can activate it to either move or attack a Cylon ship.
Title and Quorum Cards: If you have a Title or Quorum Card that gives you an action, you can perform it during this step.
Loyalty Card: You have the option to reveal one of your “You are a Cylon” Loyalty Cards and perform the action specified on it. Once you reveal, you must follow the rules for revealed Cylon players.
Do Nothing: If you don’t want to take any actions, you can choose to do nothing during this step and move on to the Crisis step.

Crisis Step

When it’s my turn, I take a card from the Crisis deck and read it out loud before dealing with it. There are three kinds of Crisis Cards: Cylon attacks, skill checks, and events.

Cylon Attack Crises

These Crisis Cards show a picture of Galactica and some other ships. When it’s time to deal with a Cylon attack Crisis Card, I just do what it says on the card. Then I throw it away, unless it tells me to keep it.

What to Do in Skill Check Crises

Hey there! Let me break down how Skill Check Crises work for you. So, you’ve got these Crisis Cards, right? They tell you the difficulty level and the skills you need to take care of the situation. You’ll see colored boxes in the upper left corner showing the skills required.

Now, the important part is how you handle these cards. You’ll have to follow the rules for skill checks and make some decisions based on whether you pass or fail the check.

Here’s the deal though: some of these cards give you, the President, or the Admiral a choice. You can either resolve the skill check as usual or carry out some other instruction. It’s up to you to make the call.

So, keep an eye out for these Skill Check Crises, remember what skills you need, and decide how to tackle them. You got this!

Event Crises

When it comes to Crisis Cards in the game, there are three types: Cylon attacks, skill checks, and events. Today, I’ll be focusing on event crises, which have their own set of instructions that need immediate attention. Unlike the other types of crises, event crises often present a decision that needs to be made by the current player, whether it’s the President or the Admiral.

Activate Cylon Ships Step

Now, let’s talk about the Activate Cylon Ships step. This step only comes into play if there is at least one Cylon ship on the board. In this situation, the Cylon ships have the option to either move or attack. Whether they move or attack is determined by the icon in the bottom left corner of the Crisis Card. It’s important to keep an eye on this step because it can greatly impact the state of the game.

Get Ready to Take the Leap!

Are you ready for an exciting adventure? I sure am! Today, I’d like to talk to you about the importance of preparing for a jump step. This is a crucial skill to have if you want to take your game to the next level. Trust me, once you master this move, you’ll be unstoppable!

The first thing you should do is understand what a jump step is. It’s a technique used in many sports, like basketball or football, where you quickly change direction by taking a small jump with one foot while keeping the other foot planted. It’s like a pivot, but with a little extra flair!

Now, why is it important to master the jump step? Well, let me tell you. When you perform a jump step, you’re able to trick your opponent and create space for yourself. It’s a double-edged sword, my friend. On one hand, you can confuse your opponent and make it hard for them to defend you. On the other hand, it gives you an opportunity to evaluate the situation and decide what your next move should be.

Let me break it down for you. Say you’re playing basketball and you want to drive to the basket. By using the jump step, you can change direction quickly and leave your defender behind. This gives you the advantage and a clear path to the basket. But here’s the interesting part. Once you’ve made your move, you can decide whether to go for the layup, pass the ball to a teammate, or even take a jump shot. The possibilities are endless!

So, how can you master the jump step? Let me share a few tips with you. First, practice your footwork. The key to a successful jump step is having good balance and coordination. Make sure you’re comfortable jumping off one foot and landing on the other. Second, work on your decision-making skills. When you perform a jump step, you need to assess the situation and quickly make a decision based on what you see. This takes practice, but I know you can do it!

Finally, don’t be afraid to be creative. The jump step is a versatile move, so feel free to experiment and find your own style. Remember, the more comfortable you are with the jump step, the more effective it will be in your game. So go out there, practice, and have fun!

If the Crisis Card I draw has the “prepare for jump” icon in the lower right corner, then my fleet token moves forward one space on the Jump Preparation track, getting closer to the “Auto Jump” space.

If my token reaches the “Auto Jump” space, it means my fleet is ready to jump to a new destination.

Once I’ve completed these steps, my turn is over. I need to discard any Crisis Cards I’ve drawn this turn and pass the current player token to the player on my left, who will then begin their turn with the Receive Skills step.

Losing Resources

Fuel, food, morale, and population are all essential resources for humanity’s survival. We can lose these resources through Crisis Cards, the destruction of civilian ships, or damage to Galactica.

When something bad happens in the game, crisis cards show you how many resources you lose, like “-1 population”. But tokens are different – they use red icons instead. So, one red population icon is the same as “-1 population”. You can find a list of the resource icons below and on the game board.

When a resource is lost for any reason, we adjust the appropriate resource dial to show the new total. The resource wheels have a red color to indicate when a resource is half or less full. This is important because the red color is used for the sympathizer Loyalty Cards.

About the Characters

In this game, you get to be a character from the Battlestar Galactica universe. Each character has their own strengths and weaknesses, which are described on their character sheet.

Here’s what you can find on each character sheet:

Character Type: Each character has a type listed on their character sheet. This type only matters when we set up the game. It helps us make sure we have a good mix of characters with different abilities.
Character Abilities: Every character has two positive abilities and one negative ability. These abilities can either be passive, meaning they’re always affecting the character, or they can be used as an action during gameplay.
Skill Set: Each character sheet includes a list of skills that the character is proficient in. At the beginning of the player’s turn, they receive the designated number and types of Skill Cards mentioned in their character’s skill set. If a character is allowed to draw Skill Cards without any specific type mentioned, they must be chosen from within their skill set, unless instructed otherwise. For example, if the character William Adama is in the “Research Lab” location and uses the action specified there, they can draw either one tactics card or one engineering card. Even though engineering is not within William’s skill set, they can still choose to draw it because the location specifies the card type.

I want to talk about the setup and character sheets in the game. Each character in the game has their own special setup instructions. These instructions tell you where to place the character at the start of the game. Some characters have extra instructions, like Apollo, who tells you to launch a ship and put him in it as the pilot. Each character has a stand-up token that represents them on the game board. When you punch out the tokens, you attach them to plastic stands. The character sheets are important too. They provide information about each character’s abilities and special powers. They help you understand how to play the game and make decisions.

Name
Role (Political Leader, Military Leader, Pilot, or Support)
Strengths
Weakness
Starting Location
Skills

The Power of Titles

Title and Quorum Cards bring immense power to the player who controls them. At the start of the game, each player is assigned a Title Card, but these titles can change hands throughout the game due to certain locations or Crisis Cards. Apart from the abilities listed below, the President and Admiral have many crucial decisions to make in response to Crisis Cards.

The President and Quorum Cards

When I’m the President, I begin the game with one special card called a Quorum Card. And guess what? I can even get more of them by using the President Title Card or going to the “President’s Office” location. These Quorum Cards give me extra special actions that only I can do, and they give me some seriously powerful abilities.

If you’re the President, you’re the boss of all the Quorum Cards. You keep them safe and secret, and you can have as many or as few as you want. There’s no limit to how many you can hold in your hand.

Now, let’s talk about the Admiral.

The Admiral is a pretty big deal too. When the game starts, the Admiral gets two nuke tokens. These tokens are super cool because they can seriously wreck those nasty basestars. But here’s the catch – nuke tokens are really hard to come by, so you’ve gotta use them wisely. Don’t just go nuking everything in sight!

Second, I’m the one who gets to decide where our fleet jumps to next. Yep, I’m the Admiral! It’s a pretty big responsibility because my choice can either help us humans or really mess things up.

Who Takes Charge?

If we find out that the President or Admiral is actually a sneaky Cylon, the person next in line for that role becomes the new leader. Now, if the Admiral (but not the President) gets thrown in the “Brig,” then the next person in line becomes the new Admiral. But here’s the catch: if a stripped Admiral manages to get out of the “Brig,” they don’t automatically get their title back.

So, here’s the order of who takes charge:

Admiral

I want to introduce you to some important figures in the military world, known as Admirals. These Admirals play a key role in leading and making important decisions. Let’s meet some of them:

William Adama
Saul Tigh
Helo Agathon
Lee “Apollo” Adama
Kara “Starbuck” Thrace
Sharon “Boomer” Valerii
Galen Tyrol
Tom Zarek
Gaius Baltar
Laura Roslin

President

Now, let’s shift our focus to an equally important position, the President. The President has significant responsibilities and holds a crucial role in making decisions. Here are some Presidents:

Laura Roslin
Gaius Baltar
Tom Zarek
Lee “Apollo” Adama
William Adama
Karl “Helo” Agathon
Galen Tyrol
Sharon “Boomer” Valerii
Saul Tigh
Kara “Starbuck” Thrace

But here’s an interesting twist: even if the President finds themselves in the “Brig” (a confined area), they still keep the President title and all the abilities that come with it.

Component Limitations

When a deck of cards runs out, I have to shuffle the appropriate discard pile to create a new deck. This includes Skill Cards, Quorum Cards, Crisis Cards, Super Crisis Cards, and Destination Cards.

There’s a limited amount of tokens and plastic ships, so they can actually run out during the game. The good news is, I get to decide the order in which I place each type of component. And if there aren’t enough of a certain type, it’s up to me to choose which ones don’t get placed.

Let me give you an example: Say I draw a Crisis Card that requires two basestars to be placed on the game board, but there’s already one basestar there. That means I can only place one more. It’s up to me to decide which of the two basestars listed on the Cylon attack card I want to put on the game board.

If I already have all the vipers on the board and I want to activate the “Hangar Deck” location, I can choose to move one of the vipers from any area on the board to the “Reserves” so that I can pilot it.

Adjusting the Game Difficulty

Some groups of players may find that the game is too easy for either the humans or the Cylons to win. Before starting the game, the group can decide to make it easier for either the humans or the Cylons.

If we want to make the game easier for the human players, we start the game with 2 extra of each resource: 10 food, 10 fuel, 12 morale, and 14 population.

If we want to make the game easier for the Cylons, we start the game with 2 fewer of each resource.

Game Over

Hey there! Welcome to the end of the game! The game ends when all of us human players travel a total distance of 8 units and then jump into the future. If we manage to do that, we win! But, if by some chance the Cyclon players beat us to it, they come out on top.

Oh no! It’s not looking good if the Galactica gets destroyed or if it’s successfully invaded. In either of those unfortunate situations, the game is over, and unfortunately, we humans have lost.