The Basic Game can be played by two or more players. The players must be
divided into two teams: the United Planetary Federation and the Sathar, an evil
race of worm-like aliens. Each player controls one or more starships in a space
battle. Two sample battle set-ups, called scenarios, are given at the end of the
Basic Game. Players can make up an endless variety of scenarios on their
own.
Sequence of Play
The game is played in a series of game turns. Each game turn is divided in
half. The first half is Side A's turn and the second haIf is Side B's turn.
During Side A's turn, Side A is the moving side and Side B is the non-moving
side. During Side B's turn, Side B is the moving side and Side A is the
non-moving side. During each side's turn, players do the following things in
order:
Player A announces which of his ships are using masking screens. A
masking screen counter is placed on top of each of these ship
counters.
Ships and space stations in orbit are moved one hex, following the
direction of their orbit.
Player A moves each of his ships, making sure that no ship moves a longer
or shorter distance than its speed from the previous turn will allow. The
player writes down each ship's new speed after it moves.
The non-moving player (player B, in this case) announces which of his
ships will shoot at moving ships, and which weapons they will use. The
non-moving player then resolves all of these attacks and their effects are
applied immediately.
The moving player (player A, in this case) announces which of his ships
will shoot at the non-moving player's ships, and which weapons they will
use. He then resolves all of these attacks, and their resuIts are
applied.
2. Side B's Turn --- The steps described above are repeated, bul Side B
becomes the moving side and Side A becomes the non-moving
side.