The Basic Game can be played by two or more players. The players must be divided into two teams: the United Planetary Federation and the Sathar, an evil race of worm-like aliens. Each player controls one or more starships in a space battle. Two sample battle set-ups, called scenarios, are given at the end of the Basic Game. Players can make up an endless variety of scenarios on their own.
Sequence of Play
The game is played in a series of game turns. Each game turn is divided in half. The first half is Side A's turn and the second haIf is Side B's turn. During Side A's turn, Side A is the moving side and Side B is the non-moving side. During Side B's turn, Side B is the moving side and Side A is the non-moving side. During each side's turn, players do the following things in order:
Player A announces which of his ships are using masking screens. A masking screen counter is placed on top of each of these ship counters.
Ships and space stations in orbit are moved one hex, following the direction of their orbit.
Player A moves each of his ships, making sure that no ship moves a longer or shorter distance than its speed from the previous turn will allow. The player writes down each ship's new speed after it moves.
The non-moving player (player B, in this case) announces which of his ships will shoot at moving ships, and which weapons they will use. The non-moving player then resolves all of these attacks and their effects are applied immediately.
The moving player (player A, in this case) announces which of his ships will shoot at the non-moving player's ships, and which weapons they will use. He then resolves all of these attacks, and their resuIts are applied.
2. Side B's Turn --- The steps described above are repeated, bul Side B becomes the moving side and Side A becomes the non-moving side.
