How to play Star Realms: a thrilling journey into the realm of intergalactic deckbuilding combat awaits you. This captivating game, brimming with strategic depth and vibrant artwork, invites players to engage in exhilarating duels amidst the vast expanse of space.

From understanding the game’s objective and setting to mastering the intricacies of deckbuilding and combat, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to conquer the cosmos in Star Realms.

Game Overview

Star Realms is a fast-paced, two-player card game of starship combat. The objective of the game is to be the first player to reduce their opponent’s authority to zero. The game is set in a futuristic space setting, where players control fleets of starships and battle for control of the galaxy.

Star Realms was developed by Darwin Kastle and Rob Dougherty, and was first published in 2014. The game has since been expanded with several expansions, and has been praised for its simple yet strategic gameplay.

Gameplay

Setup

To set up the game, each player shuffles their deck and draws five cards. The remaining cards are placed face down in a draw pile. Players then place their hero card in front of them.

Phases of a Turn

A turn in Star Realms consists of four phases:

• Draw Phase:Draw a card from the draw pile.
• Play Phase:Play up to three cards from your hand.
• Attack Phase:Attack your opponent with your starships.
• Discard Phase:Discard any cards in your hand that you do not want to keep.

Playing Cards

Cards in Star Realms can be played for their combat abilities, their trade abilities, or their special abilities. Combat abilities allow you to attack your opponent’s starships, trade abilities allow you to generate trade points, and special abilities can do a variety of things, such as healing your starships or drawing cards.

Winning the Game

The game is won by the first player to reduce their opponent’s authority to zero. Authority is a measure of a player’s strength, and is represented by the number of cards in their deck. When a player’s authority reaches zero, they lose the game.

Decks and Cards: How To Play Star Realms

Types of Cards

There are four types of cards in Star Realms:

• Starships:Starships are the main combat units in the game. They have attack and defense values, and can be used to attack your opponent’s starships.
• Bases:Bases are used to generate trade points. Trade points can be used to buy new cards from the trade deck.
• Outposts:Outposts are used to increase your authority. Authority is a measure of your strength, and is represented by the number of cards in your deck.
• Heroes:Heroes are special cards that can provide powerful abilities. Each player has one hero card, which they place in front of them at the start of the game.

Building a Deck

When building a deck, you should consider the following factors:

• The type of deck you want to play:There are many different types of decks that you can play in Star Realms, such as aggro decks, control decks, and combo decks. Each type of deck has its own strengths and weaknesses.
• The cards you have available:Not all cards are created equal. Some cards are more powerful than others, and some cards work better together than others. When building a deck, you should consider the cards that you have available and how they work together.
• Your playstyle:Some players prefer to play aggressive decks, while others prefer to play more control-oriented decks. When building a deck, you should consider your own playstyle and what type of deck you enjoy playing.

Advanced Concepts

Authority, How to play star realms

Authority is a measure of a player’s strength, and is represented by the number of cards in their deck. When a player’s authority reaches zero, they lose the game. There are a number of ways to increase your authority, such as playing outposts and winning battles.

Trade Cards

Trade cards can be used to generate trade points. Trade points can be used to buy new cards from the trade deck. There are a number of different types of trade cards, each with its own unique ability. Some trade cards generate trade points immediately, while others generate trade points over time.

Hero Cards

Hero cards are special cards that can provide powerful abilities. Each player has one hero card, which they place in front of them at the start of the game. Hero cards can be used to attack your opponent’s starships, generate trade points, or draw cards.

Base Cards

Base cards are used to generate trade points. Trade points can be used to buy new cards from the trade deck. Base cards are also used to increase your authority. When you play a base card, you can choose to either generate trade points or increase your authority.

Variants and Expansions

Variants

There are a number of different variants of Star Realms, each with its own unique rules. Some of the most popular variants include:

• Two-Headed Giant:In this variant, two players team up to play against a single opponent.
• Co-op:In this variant, two players team up to play against the game itself.
• Solo:In this variant, one player plays against a deck of cards.

Expansions

There are a number of different expansions available for Star Realms, each with its own unique cards and abilities. Some of the most popular expansions include:

• Colony Wars:This expansion adds new cards and rules that allow players to build colonies and produce resources.
• United:This expansion adds new cards and rules that allow players to form alliances with other players.
• Gambit:This expansion adds new cards and rules that allow players to gamble on the outcome of battles.

FAQ Insights

What is the objective of Star Realms?

The objective of Star Realms is to reduce your opponent’s authority to zero while increasing your own authority to 50 or more.

How do I set up the game?

To set up the game, each player shuffles their deck and draws 10 cards. They then place 5 cards in their hand and 5 cards in their discard pile.

How do I play cards?

To play a card, you must pay its cost. The cost of a card is indicated by the number in the top left corner of the card. You can pay the cost by discarding cards from your hand or by using trade cards.

How do I win the game?

You win the game by reducing your opponent’s authority to zero while increasing your own authority to 50 or more.