Xia: Legends of a Drift System

2014

Xia: Legends of a Drift System is a competitive space adventure game. As captains, players navigate space, complete missions, trade cargo and strive for fame in a dynamic sandbox universe.

180
minutes

3 - 5
player(s)

12+

Medium Heavy

About the game

Xia: Legends of a Drift System is an epic sandbox-style board game that invites you into a universe filled with infinite possibilities. The game is set in the vast reaches of the fictional Xia universe, where you take on the role of an intrepid spaceship captain setting out to make your mark on the cosmos. It’s not just a game; it’s an adventure that gets you exploring, trading, and battling your way through an immersive, emergent universe.

The game’s rich, vibrant setting is one of its most compelling features. As a captain, you are free to pursue your path in this dynamic and open-ended game world. Whether you choose to be a peaceful trader, a ruthless pirate, or a daring explorer, Xia offers a unique narrative and experience with every playthrough.

Game flow Round and round we go

Xia: Legends of a Drift System is a sandbox-style board game where players take on the role of spaceship captains venturing through the universe. The overall structure of a game of Xia is divided into rounds, with each player taking turns within these rounds.

The game continues in this round-robin format until one player reaches a predetermined amount of Fame Points, bringing the game to its conclusion. Now, let’s break down what a typical round looks like:

Beginning of Turn: At the beginning of each player’s turn, they refresh their ship’s energy to its maximum capacity and activate any beginning of turn abilities. Then, they draw an event card, read it aloud and apply its effects. Some of these events affect the player who drew the card, while others can have galaxy-wide effects.
Action Phase: During the Action Phase, players can perform a variety of actions. They can move their spaceship, explore new sectors, mine resources, perform trade actions (buy or sell commodities), complete missions, or engage in combat with NPCs (Non-Player Characters) or other players. Each action consumes a certain amount of the ship’s energy.
End of Turn: At the end of their turn, players can choose to spend credits to upgrade their ship, buy new ships, purchase outfits (upgrades for their ships), or repair their ship if it has sustained damage. After all actions are completed, the player’s turn ends and play passes to the next player.

In terms of player actions, Xia is quite flexible, allowing players to decide how they want to earn Fame Points. They might focus on trading, combat, exploration, or a combination of these. The game’s open-ended nature means that each game of Xia can play out very differently, offering a unique space adventure every time.

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

Xia: Legends of a Drift System is a game where players earn fame points by completing various tasks and objectives. The game ends when any player reaches or exceeds a specified number of fame points. The exact number may vary depending on how long you want the game to last, but it is typically set at 20 fame points for a standard game.

Victory Conditions:

Reaching the Fame Point Threshold: The game ends immediately when a player reaches or exceeds the fame point threshold, and that player is declared the winner. There is no need for the game to complete a round or for all players to have an equal number of turns.
Completing Missions: Players can earn fame points by completing missions. These missions are drawn from a deck and have various objectives that must be completed. Once a mission is completed, the player reveals the mission card, earns the fame points, and draws a new mission.
Destroying Other Ships: Players can also earn fame points by engaging in combat and destroying other players’ ships. However, this is not always a reliable way to earn points because of the risk involved.
Exploring New Sectors: Another way to earn fame points is by exploring new sectors. When a player’s ship moves into an unexplored sector, that player earns fame points. The number of points earned typically depends on the danger level of the sector.
Trading: Players can earn fame points by buying low and selling high. By trading goods between different planets, players can earn profits which translate into fame points.

Before the final scoring, players must ensure that they have completed all their active missions and calculated all their earned fame points. Any ongoing missions or activities do not count towards the final score. The player with the highest number of fame points is declared the winner. In case of a tie, the player with the most credits is the winner. If there is still a tie, the player with the highest tier ship wins.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

Xia: Legends of a Drift System is a competitive board game where players take on the roles of spaceship captains exploring an immersive sandbox universe. The goal of the game is to score Fame Points, and the first player to reach a predetermined number of Fame Points is declared the winner. Here’s a detailed look at the scoring system:

Fame Points are the main scoring metric in Xia. Players can earn Fame Points through various activities such as:

Completing Missions: Players earn Fame Points by completing mission cards. These cards often require certain tasks to be performed such as transporting goods or defeating enemies.
Trading Goods: Players can also earn Fame Points through successful buying and selling of trade goods. Each time a player successfully sells goods, they receive a Fame Point.
Destroying Enemies: Players earn Fame Points for each enemy ship they destroy. The number of Fame Points awarded depends on the strength of the destroyed ship.
Exploring New Sectors: Players can earn Fame Points by being the first to explore new sectors of space.

Fame Points are tracked on the Fame Point Track, and the first player to reach the pre-determined number of points triggers the end of the game. However, all players finish the current round before the game ends to ensure everyone has an equal number of turns.

Tie-Breaking Rules come into effect if two or more players have the same number of Fame Points at the end of the game. In such a case, the player with the most credits (money) is declared the winner. If there is still a tie, the player with the greatest total value of ship upgrades wins. If there is still a tie, the player who reached the final Fame Point value first is the winner.

It’s important to note that the game encourages a flexible approach to scoring, and players are encouraged to make strategic decisions to maximize their Fame Points and potential for victory.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Xia: Legends of a Drift System is a sandbox-style board game with a lot of unique rules and exceptions. Here are some of the rare or special rules, exceptions, and important rule clarifications:

1. Movement: Movement in Xia is not deterministic, meaning a player cannot know for sure where they will end up after deciding to move. They must roll a movement die, and the result will determine how far they can move. This can lead to unexpected outcomes and adds a layer of unpredictability to the gameplay.

2. Combat: Combat in Xia is not a guaranteed success, even if a player has a stronger ship. The outcome of a combat engagement depends on dice rolls, and there are special rules for shields and damage. Shields will absorb damage before it affects the ship, but if a player’s ship suffers damage equal to or greater than its health, it is destroyed and the player must respawn at the nearest spawn point.

3. Economy: The economy of Xia is dynamic and changes throughout the game. Prices of goods can fluctuate based on player actions, leading to a complex and ever-changing economic landscape. This means players must adapt their strategies as the game progresses.

4. Exploration: Exploration in Xia is randomized, thanks to the game’s unique sector discovery system. Players draw sector tiles at random when exploring new areas, leading to a different game board in every playthrough.

5. Missions: Missions in Xia can provide a significant boost to a player’s fame points, but they often come with increased risk. Some missions require players to transport illegal goods, which can attract the attention of law enforcement NPCs and other players.

6. Outlaw Status: Players can choose to become outlaws in Xia, which allows them to attack other players and steal their goods. However, this comes with the risk of attracting bounty hunters and law enforcement.

7. NPC Movement: Non-Player Characters (NPCs) in Xia have their own movement rules. They move based on the roll of a directional die, which can lead to unpredictable and potentially dangerous encounters.

8. Abilities and Upgrades: Players can upgrade their ships with new abilities and enhancements. However, these upgrades require energy to use, and managing energy is a crucial part of the game strategy.

Remember, the rules of Xia are complex and interconnected, and understanding the nuances of the game mechanics can significantly enhance your gameplay experience.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Xia: Legends of a Drift System is an immersive board game that requires strategic navigation and decision-making. To enhance your gameplay, here are some advanced strategies, beginner tips, common mistakes to avoid, and ways to optimize your experience.

Advanced Strategies:

Flexibility: Being able to adapt your strategy based on the game’s situation is crucial. For example, if a mission requires you to deliver goods far away, it might be more beneficial to focus on mining or combat in the meantime.
Economic Dominance: Focusing on trade and economic growth can be a powerful strategy. It allows you to upgrade your ship and buy necessary equipment faster than others, giving you a competitive edge.
Targeted Attacks: If another player is getting ahead, you can slow their progress by targeting them with attacks. This requires careful planning and execution, but it can be effective if done right.

Beginner Tips:

Learn the Basics: Be sure to thoroughly understand the game’s mechanics before playing. This includes understanding how movement, combat, and trade work.
Begin with Trade: Trading is a great way for beginners to start earning credits and understanding the game’s mechanics. It also allows for ship upgrades.
Upgrade Strategically: Don’t upgrade your ship blindly. Consider what upgrades will benefit your gameplay the most. For example, if you’re focusing on combat, upgrade your weapons first.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Ignoring Missions: Don’t ignore missions. They can provide additional credits and fame points, which are crucial for winning the game.
Not Planning Ahead: Xia is a game of strategy. Failing to plan your moves ahead of time can slow down your progress significantly.
Overlooking Defenses: While focusing on offense is important, don’t forget to upgrade your defenses. A well-rounded ship can handle more situations and threats.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Focus on Fame Points: The game is won by earning fame points, so always keep this goal in mind. Whether you’re trading, completing missions, or engaging in combat, your actions should aim to earn you these points.
Use Your Resources Wisely: Make sure to use your resources, like energy and credits, efficiently. Wasting resources can put you at a disadvantage.
Balance Your Activities: Don’t focus solely on one aspect of the game, whether it’s trading, mining, or combat. A balanced approach usually yields the best results.