How to Play

Goal

You want to dominate the galaxy. Every tile, every sector, every corner of space that isn't yours yet. It's basically the same plan every empire in history has had, and yes, it usually ends badly. But you've got a fleet now, so this time will be different.

You win by owning all tiles on the map, or by owning 70% and letting the remaining AI players admit the obvious. Conquer, expand, and try not to go bankrupt doing it.

The Map

The map is a hex grid. Depending on the match settings, it can be small (7×7) or large (25×25). Everyone starts with a similar number of tiles.

Two tile types matter: Space (plain tiles you can own) and Planets (also ownable, but they generate double the income). The rest is impassable terrain you'll need to route around.

Sectors

Your territory is divided into sectors. A sector is a contiguous group of tiles you own, all touching each other. Each sector has its own credit balance and earns income independently.

Why does this matter? If part of your territory gets cut off, it becomes a separate sector. A stranded pocket of two tiles is a lot easier for an opponent to dismantle than a unified front of twenty. On larger maps especially, it's worth thinking about connectivity. Keep your sectors joined. And if you notice an opponent's territory has a narrow corridor, that's a good spot to attack and split them in two.

Expansion

Frigates are cheap (10 credits), fast, and perfect for pushing into unclaimed space. Early in the game, send them out to grab as many tiles as possible before opponents get there first.

More tiles means more income. More income means more units. It's a snowball that rewards aggression early on. Don't just sit on your starting territory and wait.

Units & Combat

There are three ship types: Frigate, Destroyer, and Battleship. Combat is tiered. A unit can only attack something weaker than itself. A Frigate can't attack another Frigate or anything stronger. But a Destroyer will make short work of any Frigate in its path, and a Battleship can roll over Destroyers without breaking a sweat.

Frigate

Destroyer

Battleship

One useful trick: a unit doesn't just protect the tile it's on. It projects power onto the immediately surrounding tiles of the same colour too. Park a Frigate on a chokepoint and it'll block enemy Frigates from the whole cluster around it.

Economy

Each sector earns credits at the start of your turn. When the game starts, each sector gets 5 credits per tile as an opening balance. After that, every turn brings in 1 credit per space tile and 2 credits per planet tile.

Units have maintenance costs deducted each turn: Frigates cost 2, Destroyers 6, Battleships 18. Those costs come out of the sector the unit is in. If a sector can't pay, every unit in it is destroyed immediately. That's not a good day. Don't overload a small sector with expensive ships.

Good Luck

Start by expanding aggressively with Frigates. Once you've established a strong presence, build Destroyers to start pressuring opponents and splitting their sectors. When you're ready to close out the game, Battleships will get the job done.

Now stop reading and go take over something.