Space Planets
Space Planets Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Game contents
- 40 square planet cards
- 4 spaceship cards
- 40 fuel crystals
- 1 wooden die (= probe)
- 1 set of instructions
Preparation
Each player chooses a colored spaceship card and places it in front of them. Now shuffle all of the 40 planet cards. Place 9 cards face up in a grid of 3x3 cards in the middle of the table. The distance between the cards should be narrow, approximately the width of a die. Place the remaining cards in a pile, face down next to the grid. Each player receives 4 fuel crystals and places them on their spaceship card. The remaining crystals are placed in an easily accessible stockpile.
How to play
Play in a clockwise direction. The youngest space explorer starts. In order to explore a planet, you need to send out the probe (which is the wooden die) to one of the planets. Roll the die in the direction of the laid out planet cards. The goal is to try to have the die land on a planet card with the highest number of explorer stars in the upper left hand corner.
Important: You have to roll the die from outside the 3x3 card grid area (you cannot throw the die from on top of the grid). If the die lands on a planet card, then the probe has reached this planet.
You now have the choice...
- ... to explore the planet or not. You can pay the amount of fuel crystals indicated on the die, and take this planet card. Some planet cards have additional special effects (see planet cards and special effects), which may occur later or immediately. Replace the planet card you took with a new planet card drawn from the deck.
or
- ... don't explore yet, e.g. because you do not have enough fuel crystals to fly to the planet. Instead, take the number of fuel crystals indicated on the die from the stockpile.
If the die does not land on top of a planet card, then take an extra crystal from the stockpile and it's the next player's turn.
Warning: If the supply of fuel crystals has run out, then unfortunately you can't receive any crystals.
After one of these actions, the next player takes their turn.
Planet cards and special effects
There are a certain number of explorer stars shown on each planet card (with the exception of the black hole). Cards with more explorer stars are more valuable, thus making this planet attractive too.
Some planet cards also have special effects. For example, you can change the number of fuel crystals needed in a round. These planet cards remain face up in front of the player, until the special effect has been played. Then, the card will be turned over, and the effect will disappear.
- Two fuel crystals card: If a player puts this card face down in front of them, they immediately earn two fuel crystals. (Value: 1 explorer star)
- One fuel crystal card: If a player puts this card face down in front of them, they immediately earn one fuel crystal. (Value: 2 explorer stars)
- Re-roll card: Place this planet card face up in front of you. You may roll the die again once. Now turn the card over. (Value: 2 explorer stars)
- Increased fuel consumption card: This card increases fuel consumption; keep this card in front of you. For one round, all other players must pay one additional fuel crystal than is shown on the die, back into the supply pile. Once the round is over and it's your turn again, turn the card over. (Value: 2 explorer stars)
- Oasis planet: This planet is an oasis in the universe and its exotic inhabitants and plants make it a worthwhile destination for discoveries. It is particularly valuable but does not have a special effect. (Value: 3 explorer stars)
- Distant planet: This legendary planet is very far away. In order to reach this planet, you will generally need one more fuel crystal than is shown on the die. (Value: 4 explorer stars)
- Black hole: If the player rolls the die onto the black hole, bad luck for them. Their turn will end immediately, and they won't receive a planet card nor do they receive any fuel crystals. The card is then immediately removed from the game and replaced by a new planet card.
End of the game
The game ends when a space explorer has collected 5 planet cards. Then each of the other players may roll the die one more time. Then all of the players must count their explorer stars and planet cards. Whoever has managed to save fuel crystals will receive a reward: two fuel crystals count as one explorer star. The player with the most explorer stars is the bravest and cleverest space explorer in the whole galaxy!