Triplanetary

About this board game

Triplanetary is a space board game for 2–3 players, with games lasting about 45 minutes. Set in the 21st century, it maps the inner Solar System out to Jupiter and challenges players to plot efficient courses through space.

Movement uses vector mechanics. Players draw their courses directly on the map with a grease pencil, while fuel allows a ship to accelerate by a maximum of one each turn. Planets and moons can modify a ship’s trajectory, making gravity an important tool for reaching a destination efficiently.

The game includes a limited number of ships, and most ships have limited fuel. Careful route planning is therefore essential: an apparently direct course may not be the most practical way to travel, while a well-used planetary or lunar trajectory can conserve valuable fuel.

• Scenarios: racing, pirating, invasions, and several others
• Movement: plotted vectors, fuel-based acceleration, and trajectory changes from planets and moons
• Setting: the inner Solar System, extending out to Jupiter
• Player count: 2–3 players, with the game fairly easy to extend beyond three

First released in 1973, Triplanetary received a second edition in 1981 and a third edition from Steve Jackson Games in 2018. Its grease-pencil trails create a visible record of movement across the map.

With more than three players, the board can become cluttered with ship trails, in a way compared to Crayon Rails. That growing web of plotted movement is part of the game’s distinctive physical character as ships navigate, compete, and pursue their scenario objectives.