Starfinder: Pirates of Skydock (2022) Board Game

Starfinder: Pirates of Skydock is a board game set in the popular Starfinder universe, where players take on the roles of space pirates vying for control of the floating pirate city of Skydock. The game was released in 2022 and is designed for 2-4 players, with a playing time of 60-90 minutes.

Game Components of Starfinder: Pirates of Skydock

Player Boards: Each player has a unique character board with slotted action tokens.

Action Tokens: Tokens for Loot, Scheme, Move, Attack, Interact, and Heal actions.

Room Tiles: Modular board design with tiles representing different rooms on the ship.

Cards: Objective cards, challenge cards, and Support tokens.

Secret Backer Cards: Hidden financial backers providing endgame scoring boosts.

Neutralisation Tokens: Used to manage guard encounters and player abilities.

Dice: D20 for resolving neutralisation token effects.

How To Setup Starfinder: Pirates of Skydock

Setup involves creating the modular board by placing room tiles, distributing player boards and action tokens, and dealing out Secret Backer cards. Players also receive a starting set of cards and tokens. The game’s setup is notable for its variability, with the ship’s layout changing each game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Planning Phase: Players allocate cubes to select actions for the round.

Action Phase: Players take turns performing selected actions such as drawing cards, completing objectives, moving around the ship, and interacting with rooms.

Upkeep Phase: Brief phase for maintenance and preparation.

Game Objective: Players aim to hijack a spaceship by completing objectives while managing the ship’s security and alert levels. Completing objectives and fulfilling Secret Backer conditions earn Glory points, which determine the winner.

Player Experience

Players experience a fast-paced game of cooperation and competition. While working together to hijack the ship, each player has unique abilities and objectives, as well as a Secret Backer with hidden conditions. The game requires strategic planning and execution, with a high level of variability due to the modular board and random encounters.

Pros

Modular Board Design: Each game has a unique ship layout.

Unique Characters: Different starting abilities and action tokens for each player.

Variety in Objectives: Multiple ways to earn Glory points.

Thematic and Artistic Components: Visually appealing and thematically engaging.

Cons

Lengthy Setup Time: Initial setup can be time-consuming.

Complexity: Too many mechanics and components to manage.

Alert System: High alert levels can result in a lockdown, leading to a loss for all players.

Personal Thoughts on Starfinder: Pirates of Skydock

**Starfinder: Pirates of Skydock** is ideal for fans of sci-fi heist themes and those who enjoy games with a mix of cooperation and competition. It is suitable for players aged 14 and above who are looking for a game that combines strategic planning with quick, action-packed gameplay. While it may appeal to fans of games like *Infiltration*, the lengthy setup and complexity might deter some players. Overall, it’s a game that offers a fun and challenging experience, but may require some patience during the initial setup.

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