Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game

2023

Experience the epic struggle between the Galactic Empire and Rebel Alliance in Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game. Enhance your strategies, destroy enemy bases and control the Force!

30
minutes

2 - 2
player(s)

12+

Medium

About the game

Welcome to the vibrant, intergalactic universe of Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game. This game opens up a thrilling adventure that takes you straight into the iconic, far-flung galaxy of Star Wars, where the epic battle between the dark side and the light side comes to life on your tabletop.

In this game, you’re invited to step into the shoes of legendary Star Wars characters, each with their own unique abilities and strategic angles. You could be Luke Skywalker, striving to uphold the principles of the Jedi, or Darth Vader, using the formidable power of the dark side to crush the Rebellion. The choice is yours, and each character offers a distinct gameplay experience.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game is an exciting and strategic game where players build their own decks to control characters and events in the Star Wars Universe. The game’s components each play integral roles in the gameplay. Below is a detailed list of the components included with descriptions of their functions:

1. Game Board: This is where players will place their cards during gameplay. It is divided into several areas, including the Force deck, the Objective deck, and the Command deck.

2. Player Decks: Each player starts with a basic deck of cards that includes characters, vehicles, and events. Over time, players will add and remove cards from their deck to improve it and better match their strategy.

3. Force Cards: These are special cards that can be used to gain extra actions or abilities during a player’s turn. They are drawn from the Force deck and can be played at any time.

4. Objective Cards: These are the main goals that players are trying to accomplish to win the game. Each objective requires players to collect a certain combination of cards in their deck or perform specific actions. When an objective is completed, it is replaced with a new one from the Objective deck.

5. Command Cards: These are powerful cards that can turn the tide of a game. They are drawn from the Command deck and can be played during a player’s turn to perform powerful actions or disrupt the plans of opponents.

6. Character Cards: These cards represent the iconic characters from the Star Wars Universe. Each character has unique abilities that can be used during the game, and they can be added to a player’s deck to enhance its power.

7. Vehicle Cards: These cards represent the various vehicles and ships from the Star Wars Universe. Like character cards, vehicle cards have unique abilities and can be added to a player’s deck to increase its capabilities.

8. Event Cards: These cards represent significant events from the Star Wars Universe. When played, they can affect the game in various ways, such as changing the current objective, allowing players to draw extra cards, or disrupting the actions of opponents.

9. Tokens: These are used to track various game elements, such as damage to characters and vehicles, the progress of objectives, and the current balance of the Force. By moving and placing these tokens, players can visualize the ebb and flow of the game’s state.

10. Dice: Dice are used to resolve conflicts and determine the outcome of certain actions. The results of dice rolls can be influenced by cards and abilities, adding an element of chance to the game.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game is a thrilling card game where players take on the roles of iconic characters from the Star Wars universe. To set up the game, follow these steps:

1. Player Roles:

Each player selects a hero or villain from the Star Wars universe to play as. These include characters like Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Han Solo, and more. Each character has unique abilities that can help you in the game.

2. Deck Preparation:

Each player begins with a small deck of cards specific to their character. These cards will be used to purchase new cards, combat opponents, and perform a variety of other actions.

3. Board Placement:

Place the main board in the center of the table. This will be where players draw new cards from and place their used cards.

4. Resource Preparation:

Divide the resource tokens into piles by type (Force, Energy, Command). Each player starts with a certain number of each resource depending on their character.

5. Card Placement:

Shuffle the main deck of cards and place five of them face up on the board. These are the cards that players can purchase on their turn.

6. Random Elements:

There are several random elements in Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game. The cards that are available for purchase are drawn randomly from the main deck, and the order in which players take their turns is also determined randomly at the start of the game.

7. Starting the Game:

The player who is playing as the youngest character goes first. If there is a tie, the player who most recently watched a Star Wars movie goes first.

Now that everything is set up, you’re ready to start playing Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game! May the Force be with you.

Game flow Round and round we go

Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game is a competitive game where players take on the roles of iconic characters from the Star Wars universe. The game is played in rounds and each round is divided into phases. The structure of a round and the actions performed by players in each phase are as follows:

1. Draw Phase

At the beginning of each round, players start with the Draw Phase. During this phase, each player replenishes their hand up to their maximum hand size, typically five cards. If a player’s deck is empty, they shuffle their discard pile and form a new draw deck.

2. Main Phase

Following the Draw Phase is the Main Phase. In this phase, players take turns to play cards from their hand and perform actions. These actions can involve attacking opponents, defending against attacks, or using card abilities. Each card has a cost which must be paid by discarding other cards from hand. Once a player has finished their actions, they place any unplayed cards in their discard pile.

3. Attack Phase

The next phase is the Attack Phase. During this phase, players can attack opponents using their characters and vehicles. To attack, a player chooses a target and declares an attack with their units. The defending player can choose to block the attack with their own units or allow the attack to go through. Damage is calculated and applied to the targets.

4. End Phase

The final phase in a round is the End Phase. During this phase, all players prepare for the next round. Any unspent resources are lost, any ongoing effects end, and players check for any victory conditions. If no player has met their victory condition, a new round begins starting again with the Draw Phase.

These phases continue in sequence until a player meets their victory condition, such as defeating their opponent’s characters or achieving a certain number of victory points.

It’s important to note that the order of play and the specific rules can vary depending on the character each player is using, as each character has unique abilities and strategies. As a result, understanding your character and their abilities is crucial to mastering Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, each player takes their turn in sequential order. During their turn, a player can perform several actions and make strategic choices, which will directly influence the gameplay.

1. Draw a Card:

At the start of their turn, a player must draw a card from their deck. If the deck is empty, they shuffle their discard pile to create a new deck and draw from there. This action can provide a player with new resources or abilities that can be used later in their turn.

2. Main Phase:

During the main phase, a player can perform any of the following actions in any order and any number of times:

Play a Card: A player can play a card from their hand, following the instructions on the card. This could involve generating resources, attacking an opponent, or providing a special ability.
Acquire a Card: A player can use their resources to acquire a new card from the central play area. This card goes into their discard pile, to be drawn in a later turn.
Activate a Card: Some cards have abilities that require activation. A player can activate these abilities during their main phase.
Attack an Opponent: A player can use their cards to attack an opponent, potentially causing them to lose cards or resources.

3. End Phase:

At the end of their turn, a player performs the following steps:

Discard: The player discards any cards left in their hand, plus any cards they played during their turn.
Draw: The player draws five new cards from their deck, preparing for their next turn.

Strategic choices during a player’s turn might involve deciding whether to focus on acquiring new cards, attacking their opponents, or building up their own resources. The player must also carefully manage their hand, ensuring they have enough cards to perform desired actions, while also discarding unwanted cards to make room for new ones.

Overall, a player’s actions during their turn can significantly change the state of the game, making each turn a critical part of Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

The game of ‘Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game’ is played until one of three end-game conditions is met. Each condition is linked to an important aspect of the game: the Main Deck running out of cards, one player’s personal deck being depleted, or the defeat of a player’s character.

Main Deck Depletion:

When the last card is drawn from the Main Deck, the game end is triggered. The players then complete the current round so that each player has had an equal number of turns. After this, players proceed to the final scoring.

Personal Deck Depletion:

If a player needs to draw a card from their personal deck and there are no cards left to draw, the game ends immediately. There is no final round in this case. Players proceed directly to the final scoring.

Character Defeat:

If a player’s character is reduced to 0 health points, the game ends immediately, regardless of the number of cards in the Main Deck or the player’s personal deck. Again, there is no final round and players proceed directly to the final scoring.

Final Scoring:

At the end of the game, players calculate their final scores based on the following factors:

Deck Points: Each card in a player’s deck, discard pile, and hand (including the character card) has a point value. The total value of all these cards constitutes the player’s Deck Points.
Damage Points: Each damage token on a player’s character card is worth negative points. The total is subtracted from the player’s Deck Points to give their Damage Points.
Objective Points: Some cards allow players to accomplish objectives during the game. Each completed objective is worth extra points, which are added to the player’s score.

The player with the highest total of Deck Points, Damage Points, and Objective Points is declared the winner. If there is a tie, the player with the most Objective Points wins. If there is still a tie, the player with the most Deck Points wins. If there is yet another tie, the player who went first during the game is the winner.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, players accumulate points through various methods throughout the game. The player with the highest number of points at the end of the game is declared the winner. Below is a detailed explanation of how points are awarded and the tie-breaking rules in this game.

Points Awarded:

Starship Cards: Players earn points for each Starship card they own at the end of the game. The points awarded correspond to the value indicated on the card.
Character Cards: Similar to Starship cards, players earn points for each Character card they own at the end of the game. The point value is also indicated on the card.
Mission Cards: Completing Missions is another way players can earn points. Mission cards have varying point values, which are awarded upon successful completion of the Mission.
Objective Cards: Objective cards are a special type of Mission card. In addition to the points awarded for completion, players can earn bonus points if they meet the special conditions specified on the Objective card.
Bonus Points: Bonus points can be earned through certain Action cards or Event cards. The conditions and point values for these bonuses are specified on the individual cards.

Tie-Breaking Rules:

In the event of a tie at the end of the game, follow these steps in order to determine the winner:

The player with the most completed Mission cards wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most Starship cards wins.
If a tie persists, the player with the most Character cards wins.
If a tie still remains, the player who went first in the game loses the tie.

These rules ensure that there is always a clear winner in Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, even when players finish the game with the same number of points.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

‘Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game’ has some unique rules that set it apart from other deckbuilding games. Here are some of the special rules, exceptions, and clarifications that are important to the game.

1. Dark Side/Light Side Mechanic:

Players must choose to play as either the Dark Side or the Light Side. Each side has unique cards and strategies, adding a layer of asymmetry to the game.
Each side also has a ‘Force’ meter which can be influenced by certain cards. This meter can affect the game state and is crucial for the Dark Side player’s victory condition.

2. Card Types:

The game features three types of cards: Units, Tactics, and Enhancements. Understanding how each card type functions is crucial for effective play.
Units are the primary cards used for battling opponents. They have both a Power value (for dealing damage) and a Health value (for absorbing damage).
Tactics cards are played from your hand to cause various effects. These can range from damaging enemy Units, healing your own Units, or manipulating the Force meter.
Enhancements are cards that you attach to your Units to boost their abilities or provide other benefits.

3. Engagements:

Engagements are the battles between players in the game. Players take turns attacking each other’s objectives with their Units.
It’s important to note that only the defending player can declare blockers. The attacking player declares which Units they’re attacking with, and then the defender chooses which (if any) of their Units will defend.
Damage on Units is not removed at the end of an Engagement. This means that damage accumulates over time, making Units easier to destroy in subsequent Engagements.

4. Winning Conditions:

The Light Side player wins the game by destroying three of the Dark Side player’s objectives.
The Dark Side player wins by moving the Force meter to the Dark Side and then keeping it there until the start of their next turn. Alternatively, they can win by running out the Light Side player’s deck.

5. Rule Clarifications:

Multiple copies of the same Unit do not stack. This means that if you have two copies of the same Unit in play, they each act independently and their effects do not combine.
Some cards have a ‘Shielding’ ability. This allows them to prevent the first point of damage they would receive each turn. It’s important to note that this only prevents one point of damage, regardless of how much damage is being dealt.
When a player runs out of cards in their deck, they do not automatically lose. Instead, they reshuffle their discard pile to create a new deck. However, if the Light Side player needs to do this, the Dark Side player wins the game.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies:

Deck Manipulation: Keep a keen eye on your deck’s composition. Regularly remove weak cards and replace them with stronger ones to streamline your deck. This will increase the chances of drawing powerful cards during your turn.
Card Synergy: Don’t just pick cards based on their power. Consider how they work together with other cards in your deck. Building a synergy between your cards can help you execute powerful combos and dominate the game.
Count Cards: Keeping track of what cards have been used and what are remaining can give you a strategic advantage. This can help you determine what strategies your opponents might employ and prepare countermeasures accordingly.

Beginner Tips:

Understand the Rules: Before you start playing, make sure you understand the game’s rules. This will help you make strategic decisions and prevent you from making mistakes that could cost you the game.
Start with a Balanced Deck: As a beginner, it’s best to start with a balanced deck that has a good mix of offense, defense, and utility cards. This will allow you to respond to different situations in the game.
Learn From Other Players: Watching and learning from more experienced players can be a great way to improve your game. Pay attention to their strategies and try to understand why they make certain decisions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Ignoring Card Synergy: One common mistake is picking cards based solely on their individual power. Remember, the real strength lies in how well the cards work together.
Not Adapting Your Strategy: Another mistake is sticking to a single strategy throughout the game. If your strategy isn’t working, you should be ready to adapt and change your approach.
Overlooking Defense: It’s easy to get carried away with offensive cards, but don’t forget about defense. A strong defense can save you when you’re in a tight spot.

Optimizing Gameplay:

Plan Ahead: Always think a few turns ahead and plan your moves. This will allow you to be prepared for different scenarios and make the most of your turn when it comes.
Manage Your Resources: Be mindful of your resources, and make sure you’re spending them wisely. Don’t waste your resources on unnecessary actions or cards.
Take Advantage of Opportunities: If an opportunity presents itself, don’t hesitate to take it. Whether it’s a chance to weaken your opponent or strengthen your own position, every advantage counts in this game.