Terminator Salvation

About this board game

Terminator Salvation is a tactical board game for 2–3 players that recreates the struggle between the Resistance and SkyNet in the ruins of the USA, with games lasting about 40 minutes.

One or two players lead the Resistance, seeking either to earn 10 victory points or destroy every SkyNet unit and factory. Victory points can be gained through exploration, especially by locating human survivors. A SkyNet player commands the opposing forces, whose goals are to eliminate all Resistance units or find and kill every survivor.

Each map area begins with a randomly selected map token placed face down. Exploring these tokens can reveal different results, while both sides search the devastated landscape for useful discoveries—or targets to destroy. SkyNet begins with a factory and several units in one of six ruined cities, while the Resistance starts in three randomly selected cities.

The two factions have four unit types each. Human units are generally weaker than SkyNet forces, but they are better at exploration and interception. Action cards drive movement, exploration, and other actions; cards can also be traded for new ones, giving players opportunities to adapt their plans.

Combat begins through specific cards or when a unit enters an area containing enemy forces, allowing the defender to choose whether to intercept. The attacker fires first with dice, followed by one return shot from the remaining units. Unlike in some similar games, the player who scores hits decides which units are destroyed.

• Gameboard and 50 map tokens for exploring the ruined United States
• 135 SkyNet and Resistance cards
• 36 miniatures, eight unit stat cards, and five six-sided dice

With its asymmetric objectives, hidden exploration, card-based actions, and direct tactical battles, Terminator Salvation puts the fate of survivors and the future of the conflict in the players’ hands.