Star Realms: Frontiers (2018) Board Game

Star Realms: Frontiers is an expansion for the popular deck-building card game Star Realms. Released in 2018 by Wise Wizard Games, it offers new cards, mechanics, and strategies to enhance the gameplay experience for fans of the original game.

Game Components of Star Realms: Frontiers

1 folding game board

2 player boards

12 starting cards

48 shop cards

2 reference cards

52 game tokens

1 rulebook

An all-new 80-card trade deck

Starting decks for four players

Four sets of new score cards

Plenty of Explorer cards

A sturdy, attractive game box.

How To Setup Star Realms: Frontiers

Setup involves giving each player a Health Tracking card set, starting at 50 health. Each player receives a Starting Deck of eight Scouts and two Vipers. The Trade Row Cards are shuffled and five are revealed. Explorers are set face-up near the Trade Row. The first player draws three cards from their shuffled Starting Deck, while the second player draws five.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deck Building: Players build their decks using cards from the Trade Row.

Ally Abilities: Cards have faction symbols that activate special abilities when another card from the same faction is in play. Some cards have Double Ally Abilities, requiring two cards from the same faction.

Scrap Abilities: Certain cards can be scrapped to activate their abilities, useful for destroying bases and attacking the opponent’s Authority.

Base Defense: Bases have health and must be attacked using Combat Power. Some bases have Outpost abilities that must be destroyed first.

Game Objective: Reduce the opponent’s Authority to 0 to win the game.

Player Experience

Star Realms: Frontiers offers a versatile gaming experience with options for solo, cooperative, and multiplayer gameplay. The game is praised for its high replayability, with various modes including Free-For-All, Hunter, and Hydra. Players can specialize in one or two factions to maximize Ally Abilities, making each game unique and challenging. The game also includes a robust solo mode against different enemies, enhancing its appeal for solo players.

Pros

High Replayability: Multiple game modes and the ability to combine with other Star Realms sets.

Versatile Gameplay: Supports solo, cooperative, and multiplayer gameplay.

Deep Strategy: Ally and Scrap Abilities add complexity and depth.

Easy to Learn: Full-color rulebook and straightforward setup.

Good Value: Includes a lot of content for the price.

Cons

Faction Imbalance: The Blob faction can be overly aggressive, which may be off-putting for some players.

Complexity: While the game is easy to start, mastering the strategies can take time.

Personal Thoughts on Star Realms: Frontiers

Star Realms: Frontiers is an excellent choice for anyone looking to dive into the world of deck-building games. It offers a rich and engaging experience for both new players and veterans of the genre. The game’s ability to support up to four players, along with its robust solo and cooperative modes, makes it a great addition to any game collection. If you’re new to Star Realms, Frontiers is a solid starting point due to its comprehensive content and versatile gameplay options.

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