What's a good spaceship game?

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**starbomber109**

I know there's BFG, but quite frankly I don't really like their rule set. I don't think there's really anything competing with it though, like how EvE is the only really big space MMO out there right now.

Speaking of EvE, I actually think the Alliance Tournament would make a sweet tabletop game. 10 ships and 100 points even SOUNDS like a tabletop game.

**Balance**

A Call To Arms may be hard to find (Mongoose just recently stopped selling the B5 version but they've mentioned doing their own) but is an interesting game... It's similar to BFG in many ways, though. Similar mechanisms like 'Orders' and the philosophy of just describing ships by bulked weapon systems isntead of worrying about individually firing each of 20 cannons.

DP9's Lightning Strike is interesting, although I haven't actually played it. The setting is their Jovian Chronicles setting, so it's a mix of capital ships, fihgters, and somewhat gundam-esque mecha. It has some neat ideas: markers sometimes represent only the approximate position of a unit, and only once actively detected is the unit considered locked in place. DP9 still sells it, but it's been the long time sine anything has been replaced for it. The Jovian Chronciles Setting is kind of neat as it's a no-FTL setting with colonies on the different worlds of our solar system fighting amongst themselves.

Other options would be Star Fleet Battles or the newer 'light weight' version, or a host of hard-to-find games.

**Hordini**

I've heard that Full Thrust is pretty sweet, but I haven't played it myself.

**Balance**

There's also 'Victory by Any Means' but I think it's more of a campaign system...

**Rangerrob**

Full Thrust...gets an A+ in my book.

Simple, fast, fun

fighters to super dreadnaughts...

scaleable and flexible enough to import ships from just about any sci-fi setting.

**starbomber109**

Hmm, Full Thrust does look interesting, I like the mass based ships a lot. (According to wikipedia it is 'the most popular'

)

**grizgrin**

Traveller used to be popular back in the day. There was another one based off of David Weber's book, can't remember the name right now.

**Mick A**

Highly recommend 'Full Thrust'. I ran a game at the local club last year using BFG ships (Ork vs Chaos with about 20 plus ships per side) for two guys who had never played it, we finished the game within 3 hours and they both really enjoyed it!
Mick

**radiohazard**

http://www.spartangames.co.uk/firestorm.htm

http://www.spartangames.co.uk/gallery_2.htm

This game looks the Mutz Nutz (thats good for you non England folk).

Spartan make a really good Naval game too.

**palaeomerus**

Full Thrust can be downloaded for free (along with Stargrunt II(15-28mm infantry combat) and Dirtside II( 6mm sci-fi armor) rules).

http://www.groundzerogames.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=category§ionid=9&id=29&Itemid=50

Some people also like Starmada from Majestic 12 games.

http://www.mj12games.com/starmada/SAEdemo.pdf

**Sarge**

What about the rules set bothered you?

**OttoMunoz**

Full Thrust is supposed to be really good. I have downloaded the rules but haven't bought any minis to use with them yet.

Otto

**Kilkrazy**

I've got Starmada but I haven't played it yet.

It's a fairly traditional 2D fleet action game.

The rules allow you to design any kind of ship with balanced points costs. Excel spreadsheets are available to do all the calculations automatically, which makes the design phase fairly easy.

You can use any range of models you like.

I also have the original Starfire (long OOP) and the monstrous 3rd edition, which has become grotesquely bloated and cannot be recommended for any casual player.

**penut the butter**

BFG is a fairly good game

**Ghaz**

You did notice that he said he doesn't like the rules for BFG and is looking for something else?

**wilycoyote**

Full Thrust, certainly gets the thumbs up here. As mentioned like all GZG rules they are designed to be generic and so you can tailor tem to fit whatever ships are in your collection. Easy to learn, so you conentrate on the tactics.

However, I do recommend the GZG (especially some of the new resculpts) and the prices are reasonable as well.

Its a free download (do not forget to get the supplements as well) so what is there not to love.

As a second choice I would try Starmada, nice rules but ship design is the standout for this set.

WilyC

**radiohazard**

GZG???

**PanzerSmurf**

Ground Zero Games

**Arander**

I've played both Full Thrust and Starmada and personally, I enjoy Starmada a little bit better. The ability to fully customize each and every ship in your arsenal is something my gaming group absolutely loved. The fact that the spreadsheets were already available made this a huge bonus.

What I like the most about Starmada (that I can see some people hating) is that it uses hex-based movement. Games are played on a hex grid and are not free moving. It's a nice change from the usual 'measure in inches' game systems, and to me makes for a more enjoyable, laid back game. YMMV obviously with what you like, but to me, Starmada is the slightly better game system than Full Thrust.

**bosky**

Although a little hard to find in your FLGS, SIlent Death (by Iron Crown) is one of the fastest playing rulesets I've ever used. They still produce the figures and rules for online order though.

My first game took around 30 minutes and was an absolute blast. The game is hex based and meant for ship to ship combat, and has a few nice and unique rules that really distinguishes it from other spaceship games. Plus stuff starts to explode pretty much right away, and it's totally possible to cripple an opponent's ship in a turn or two. I came from a background of Battletech, so not having to tediously wear down an opponent was a big plus. Obviously highly recommend it!

Basic links:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3895
http://www.ironcrown.com/index.php?page=igames/IntroSD

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh also you might be interested in Renegade Legion. It's an older game from Fasa but it's main selling point was being able to play anything from infantry to entire star systems fighting it out, all under the same rule set.

I think the PDF rulebook for Interceptor (the fighter level rules) is kicking around somewhere for free.

**Garuss Acine**

I am surprised no one has put this up yet, Aerotech a branch off from Battletech to cover combat between, fighters, dropships,jumpships and warships. Hope this helps.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AeroTech
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/8196