Dark Nebula

About this board game

Dark Nebula is a two-player space wargame from 1980, with a listed play time of 180 minutes. Players compete across a changing map of star systems, maneuvering ships and fighting to control the opposing Home-World.

The game uses eight small map-boards, each representing a sector containing roughly six star systems. At the beginning of the game, both players place the boards one at a time, choosing positions to their own advantage. This creates a different arrangement for each battle and affects the objective.

On a player’s turn, the action moves through several phases. The active player collects the money earned from controlled star systems, moves ships, and resolves combat. The opponent then has a restricted opportunity to react, after which the active player receives a final move and combat before the turn passes.

• Eight randomly arranged sector map-boards
• Star-system income and ship movement
• Multiple movement and combat phases
• A restricted reaction phase for the opposing player
• Objectives that depend on the board placement, generally involving control of the enemy Home-World

Dark Nebula belongs to GDW’s Series 120, a line of introductory wargames covering different historical eras. The series name refers to its 120 counters and intended playing time of 120 minutes or less, although the listed play time for this game is 180 minutes.

The rules are described as straightforward despite being badly referenced, allowing the game to move quite quickly. Players need to obtain card and mount the boards before play, while the counters are standard components without back printing to indicate disrupted units. The system is based on the one used in Imperium: Empires in Conflict – Worlds in the Balance.