Stellar (2020) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Stellar is a 2-player card game released in 2020 by Renegade Game Studios. Designed by Ben Pinchback and Matt Riddle, the game features beautiful artwork by Tim Barton and Janos Orban. Stellar falls under the card game category, with gameplay mechanics including area majority/influence, hand management, open drafting, set collection, and tile placement.

Game Components of Stellar

24 Telescope Cards

60 Celestial Object Cards

5 Number Cards

2 Reference Cards

1 Scorepad

1 Rulebook

How To Setup Stellar

To set up Stellar, each player starts with two of the five starting cards marked with diamonds. The remaining cards are shuffled and added to the deck. Players construct their telescopes and set out the five number cards and a score sheet. Each player chooses one card to place on the top spot in their telescope and one card to place next to their telescope in their notebook.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Add Card to Hand: Players take a card from the number row (1-5) and add it to their hand.

Diversity Scoring: Gain 10 points if you have at least one of each of the five major card types in your Telescope.

Majority Scoring: Score 10 points for each section of the Telescope (Top 5 cards, Middle 3 cards, Bottom 4 cards) where your total value exceeds your opponent’s.

Telescope Scoring: Score points based on the number of stars in each type of object multiplied by the length of the longest set of consecutively-numbered cards in your notebook.

Game Objective: The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Player Experience

Stellar is a game that demands strategic thinking and careful planning. Every move influences future moves and scoring categories. Players must balance placing cards in their telescopes and notebooks to maximize their scores. The game is not relaxed; it requires critical thinking and forward planning. Despite its simple setup, Stellar offers a complex and rewarding experience, keeping players engaged with multiple scoring opportunities.

Pros

Beautiful Visuals: The game features stunning artwork and well-illustrated cards.

Complex and Rewarding: Offers deep strategic elements and multiple scoring opportunities.

High Replayability: Players can adjust strategies and prioritize different scoring categories.

Cons

Space Requirements: The game takes up a significant amount of table space.

Lengthy Turns: Players may spend a lot of time thinking through their moves due to the game’s complexity.

Personal Thoughts on Stellar

Stellar is ideal for players who enjoy strategic and complex games, particularly those who appreciate the nuances of set-collection and card drafting mechanics. It is not suited for those looking for a relaxed or casual gaming experience. If you’re willing to invest time in understanding the mechanics and strategies, Stellar offers a highly rewarding and visually appealing gaming experience that will keep you coming back for more.

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