Starleader: Assault!

Starleader: Assault! is a science fiction microgame published by Metagaming Concepts in 1982 that was designed to introduce the rules of combat with firearms for a forthcoming science fiction role-playing game that did not get published before Metagaming went out of business. The game was designed by Howard Thompson, who was trying to create a science fiction role-playing game titled Starleader that would be more popular than Jackson’s games.

Why is Starleader: Assault! Popular?

Starleader: Assault! is significant because it was designed to introduce the rules of combat with firearms for a forthcoming science fiction role-playing game that did not get published before Metagaming went out of business. It was also one of the first microgames to be published by Metagaming Concepts.

Game Components of Starleader: Assault – A Futuristic Man-To-Man Combat Game

Rulebook: Contains character generation and combat rules.

Map: A map of a Kyrathan ‘Royal’ class warp yacht, representing the battleground.

Character Sheets: For tracking character abilities and equipment.

Weapons and Armor: Various futuristic weapons and armor for character equipment.

Dice: Four dice for determining hits and other game outcomes.

Counters: Silhouette counters representing characters and obstacles, though criticized for poor design.

How To Setup Starleader: Assault – A Futuristic Man-To-Man Combat Game

To set up the game, players first create their characters by distributing 32 points among the abilities Prowess (PR), Emotion (EM), and Intelligence (IQ), ensuring IQ is at least 10 and PR and EM are at least 8. Characters are then equipped with weapons and armor. The map of the starship is laid out, and players position their characters. Each player calculates their action points for the first round, considering the impact of their equipment.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Character Generation: Players distribute points among PR, EM, and IQ, then equip characters with weapons and armor.

Combat Mechanics: Each round, characters use action points for movement and actions. Initiative is determined by the sum of Prowess and action points. Hits are determined by rolling four dice against a target value adjusted for the weapon’s density, target size, and obstacles.

Game Objective: The objective is to defeat the opposing side in man-to-man combat aboard the starship.

Conversion Guide: Includes a guide for adapting melee combat rules from Metagaming’s previous games like *The Fantasy Trip* or *Melee*.

Player Experience

**Starleader: Assault** offers a unique blend of character-driven combat and strategic decision-making. However, the game received mixed reviews due to its simplicity and lack of integration between character abilities and combat outcomes. Critics noted that character skills had no bearing on the success of combat actions, making the game feel more like a simple board wargame than a role-playing experience.

Pros

Simple Combat Mechanics: Easy to understand and implement.

Futuristic Setting: Provides a unique science fiction environment.

Adaptability: Allows for integration with other Metagaming games.

Cons

Disconnected Character Abilities: Skills do not affect combat success.

Poor Counter Design: Counters are hard to read and poorly drawn.

Limited Depth: Criticized for not standing out in the science fiction role-playing game field.

Personal Thoughts on Starleader: Assault – A Futuristic Man-To-Man Combat Game

**Starleader: Assault** is best suited for fans of science fiction and tactical combat games who are looking for a straightforward, if somewhat shallow, gaming experience. While it fails to deliver as a robust role-playing game, it can still be enjoyable as a simple board wargame with a futuristic twist. However, it may not satisfy players seeking complex role-playing mechanics or deep character development.

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