Burning SunsReport

On Thursday (Real date 3/10/13) evening 5 players showed up to battle for dominance in the galaxy. 

We setup The Settlers of Galaxy one of the five player maps from the Setup Guide (which can be found in the Burning Suns file section).

We randomly choose what we would be playing. I drew The United Templars of Outer Rim (know later as Templars). Paweł drew Assassin Cyborgs of the Eclipse (know later as Cyborgs). Marta drew Merchant Insektoids of (I simply don't remember because structure has more meaning to player who plays it than to opposing player) (know later as Insektoids). Bartek drew Psionic Changelings of (identical situation as above) (know later as Changelings). Marcin drew Imperial Terrans (identical situation as above) (know later as Terrans).

Star date 03.09.13 XXX Century

We started quietly from the strengthening of the once position,  exploring and colonizing the uninhabited worlds neighboring us, earning artifacts (mainly Templars) and agents.

Then diplomacy entered into play. Templars easily persuaded surrounding inhabited systems for alliance. Changelins and Insektoids tried to convince the inhabited world located between their capitals to make alliance. Unfortunately, none of them with success (until the end of the game when it finally gave up  : P) . Terrans gathered a fleet. Cyborgs  didn't make use of diplomacy  taking inhabited systems by force. Later they had to pacify taken systems with diplomatic action.

Although Terrans tried to set off into the fleet to Insects space but the Insektoids performed successfully pre-emptive strike.
System after the system was occupied until finally the galaxy began to run out of unoccupied space.
Finally, in the center of the galaxy there was discovered a hostile system giving one of antimatter per turn, defended by a fleet of ships, and the mass of militia.

This was attractive target that everyone wanted. But primary we had to protect ourselves. Templars signed trade oriented alliance which changed with time into  trade-war alliance with the Cyborgs. The Terrans signed alliance pact with the Changelings.

Artifacts come into play. Black Fleet Beacon was used by Terrans to eliminated the Insectoid fleet, but the Stargate used by Changelings allowed them to take over the home system of Terrans (although it meant breaking the alliance :P

Templars after securing their territory with space station, building the fleet and the creation of Titan moved to the center of the galaxy to get hostile system. After a heavy space battle (Templar's vessels are junk :P) ground assault went easy (fortunately Templar's infantry has no equal). Placing colossus on this planet made in hard to deal with to potential visitors from neighboring sectors although insectoids and changelings was hanging around with their fleet waiting till someone would do the dirty work for them :P

Finally they moved to attack. Changelins fleet wiped out Templars from the space above their hard-won planet but because of Colossus they was in a pinch. In the meantime, Cyborgs easily finished off the Insectoid fleet.

The game ended with the victory of the alliance Templars - Cyborgs. Although they lacked the two points of antimatter to auto-win,  the players had to finish.

Thanatos explaining the rules. Everyone is listening...
The game about to start

Initial thoughts and comments after the game (in no particular order):

  1. There is a lot of depth to the game.
  2. There are a lot of choices to make and always something to do.
  3. Turns were usually quick (usually under 5-7 minutes each) once we went familiar with the rules.
  4. The changing order of the Action Sheets adds a great timing to the mechanic of the game.

Our comments:

  1. Systems could be a little larger (but it's size may be ok, because we where using printed units that  take up more space than plastic ones).
  2. Missions are basically useless. There are lot of interesting options for leaders to waste them on missions.
  3. More artifacts and agents giving bonuses to diplomacy could be of use. Bartek tried diplomacy with his best leader seven times till he finally succeeded  :P
  4. In this game sequence of actions is of great importance. Sometimes players made mistakes forgetting eg. that it requires dreadnough to colonize a system. Any ideology allowing to ignore the sequence of actions would be interesting.

There was a lot of fun and we can't wait for to finish another game.

The Burning Suns requires a lot of table space ;)
Just before the final battles.

Arys also wrote quite detailed report from this play: Test play of the Burning Suns prototype at Fenomenalna Cafe (03.10.2013)