Ad Astra is a science fiction-themed strategy board game that puts players in the role of competing interstellar explorers and colonizers. The game, designed by Bruno Faidutti and Serge Laget, focuses on resource management, exploration, and strategic planning. Players must establish colonies, gather resources, and explore the galaxy to gain the most points and emerge as the dominant force in space.
Game Concept: Ad Astra
Components
Game Board:
- A modular board representing the galaxy, with planets, stars, and space sectors. The board is assembled from various tiles and can be different for each game setup.
Planet and Star Tiles:
- Tiles that represent different planets and star systems. Each planet provides specific resources or opportunities for colonization.
Player Pieces:
- Ships and colonies representing each player's presence in the galaxy. Each player has a set of ships for exploration and colonies for establishing dominance.
Resource Tokens:
- Tokens representing various resources, such as minerals, energy, food, and technology. These resources are crucial for building colonies and advancing technology.
Action Cards:
- Cards that dictate the actions players can take during their turn. These include actions like moving ships, collecting resources, building colonies, and more.
Victory Point Tokens:
- Tokens used to track players' victory points throughout the game. Victory points are gained by fulfilling objectives, building colonies, and other achievements.
Action Programming Board:
- A board where players place their action cards in a sequence, programming their moves in advance for the round.
Rulebook:
- The guide that outlines the rules, setup, and mechanics of Ad Astra.
Setup
Prepare the Board:
- Lay out the galaxy board using the modular tiles. Randomly place planets and star systems on the board, following the specific setup rules for the number of players.
Distribute Player Pieces:
- Each player chooses a color and takes their set of ships and colonies. Place the ships on the starting locations as indicated in the setup instructions.
Shuffle and Distribute Action Cards:
- Shuffle the action cards and distribute them to the players. Each player starts with a hand of cards that they will use to program their actions.
Place Resource Tokens:
- Place the resource tokens within reach of all players. Set up the resource pool as indicated by the rulebook.
Determine Starting Player:
- Randomly determine the starting player. The turn order will rotate clockwise around the table.
Gameplay Overview
Ad Astra is played over multiple rounds, with each round consisting of action programming and resolution phases. The game revolves around players programming their actions in secret and then executing them in a sequence to explore, gather resources, and build their empires.
Action Programming Phase:
- Players select and place their action cards face down on the action programming board. The order of actions is crucial and requires careful planning, as players will only reveal and execute them one at a time during the resolution phase.
Action Resolution Phase:
- Actions are revealed and resolved in the order they were placed. Actions include:
- Move Ships: Move your ships to explore new sectors of the galaxy.
- Harvest Resources: Collect resources from planets where you have ships or colonies.
- Build Colonies: Establish colonies on planets to gain control and additional resources.
- Produce Resources: Activate production on certain planets to generate more resources.
- Trade: Exchange resources with other players or convert them to fulfill objectives.
Resource Management:
- Players must manage their resources carefully to build colonies, upgrade technology, and fulfill objectives. Efficient resource management is key to success in the game.
Scoring and Victory Points:
- Players earn victory points by building colonies, exploring new sectors, and fulfilling specific objectives outlined on their action cards. Points are also awarded for controlling resource-rich planets.
End of Game:
- The game ends when a player reaches a predetermined number of victory points (typically 50) or after a set number of rounds. The player with the most victory points at the end of the game is the winner.
Rules
Movement:
- Ships can move to adjacent sectors on the galaxy board, allowing players to explore new planets and star systems. Movement is programmed using action cards, so players must plan their moves in advance.
Colonization:
- To colonize a planet, players must have a ship in orbit around the planet and the required resources to build a colony. Once a colony is established, it provides ongoing benefits, such as additional resources.
Resource Harvesting:
- Players harvest resources by activating planets where they have ships or colonies. Resource harvesting is also programmed in advance, so timing and positioning are essential.
Action Programming:
- Players must program their actions at the beginning of each round. Actions are revealed and executed in sequence, adding a layer of strategy and unpredictability to the game.
Scoring:
- Victory points are earned through various actions, including building colonies, controlling resource-rich planets, and fulfilling objectives. The game offers multiple paths to victory, so players must adapt their strategies based on the evolving state of the game.
Trading and Negotiation:
- Players can trade resources with each other to achieve their goals. Negotiation can be a key element of gameplay, allowing players to make deals that benefit both parties.
Winning the Game:
- The game ends when a player reaches the victory point threshold or after a set number of rounds. The player with the most victory points is declared the winner.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I change my programmed actions after placing them?
- No, once you have placed your action cards on the programming board, they cannot be changed. This requires players to carefully plan their actions and anticipate their opponents' moves.
What happens if two players want to harvest resources from the same planet?
- If multiple players have ships or colonies on the same planet, they each harvest resources according to their presence there. The specific rules for resource allocation are detailed in the rulebook.
Can I colonize a planet where another player already has a colony?
- No, a planet can only have one colony. If a player has already colonized a planet, others cannot establish a colony there but can still orbit the planet with their ships to harvest resources.
How are ties resolved when determining the winner?
- If there is a tie in victory points at the end of the game, the player with the most colonies on the board wins. If there is still a tie, the player with the most total resources is the winner.
Can I trade resources at any time?
- Trading usually occurs during specific action phases. Players can negotiate and trade resources when the trade action is executed, following the rules outlined in the rulebook.
What if I run out of resource tokens?
- Resource tokens are intended to be limited. If a particular resource runs out, players must adapt their strategies accordingly. The scarcity of resources is a key element of the game.
Can I play more than one action card of the same type in a round?
- The rules on action cards may vary, but typically, players are limited in the number of times they can perform certain actions per round. Check the specific rules for any restrictions on playing multiple action cards.
How does the game handle random events or chance?
- Ad Astra focuses on strategic planning rather than random events. The primary element of chance comes from the programming and resolution of actions, as players must anticipate opponents' moves and adapt their strategies.
Ad Astra is a strategic and engaging board game that combines resource management, exploration, and strategic planning in a space exploration theme. With its action programming mechanics and multiple paths to victory, the game offers depth and replayability. Players must carefully plan their moves, manage their resources, and outmaneuver their opponents to claim dominance in the galaxy. Enjoy your journey into the stars with Ad Astra!