Summary
- Priority
- Tier actions
- Doubling up
- Locked tiers
- Finalize your move
Once you have your deck and components ready, shuffle your Action deck, allow another player to cut it, then place it face down on your player mat. Then draw the top 7 cards of your action deck.
Each player provides two map squares from the starter sets with the combined map put in the play area. Alternatively, there are large game maps available via the official website.
Next, randomly determine who goes first. This player will gain Priority at the start of the game. Play proceeds clockwise. Place ships on the map in unoccupied lettered “start” spaces in reverse order (with the Priority player placing last).
Set up your ship tokens (Hull and energy) and any other cards (see Alternate Rules on page 40). Now you are ready!
Dog Fight: Starship Edition™ is built on a programmed action system. Plans are made, then plans are revealed in order.
Priority
Players will take turns possessing Priority. The priority player has advantages during each of the four phases of the game sequence. These phases are:
- Preparation Phase
- Action Phase
- Discard Phase
- End of Turn Phase
Players will plan their actions for the turn, then reveal actions for the turn, followed by maintenance, then the turn ends.
Preparation Phase
The Preparation Phase is where all planning for the turn is done. Each player (beginning with the Priority player) takes turns preparing their actions for the round. Each player is given 3 game actions each turn. These actions are organized into Tiers (refer to the Recommended Layout). The choices for tier actions are:- DRAW 1 card from your Action Deck
- SET 1 card from hand face down into a tier
- PASS: do nothing
Maneuvering and attacking are the most basic actions players will plan at this time. Set appropriate cards face down into a tier for your desired actions. These cards will be revealed in the Action Phase.
Prepare your tiers in order (1, 2, 3) – in any combination of drawing, setting, or passing. When the priority player has completed the Preparation Phase, the next player to the left performs the Preparation Phase, and so on until all players have completed their planning in full.
--Ship Abilities
Remember: Ship abilities are paid for during Preparation Phase. These abilities will state when they are executed (usually during the Action Phase). Declare your ship abilities as you prepare them.
--Reminder Tokens
Reminder tokens indicate a Tier action (other than setting a card) has been spent (draw or pass).
Locked Tiers Rule
You may rearrange the cards set in your Tiers and/or exchange them with your hand during your Preparation. But if you have any set cards and then draw a card from your deck you may no longer rearrange or exchange.
After all players have completed the Preparation Phase, play proceeds to the Action Phase.
Action Phase
The Action Phase is when players reveal their plans for the turn. Resolving actions occurs in 2 steps.
--Step 1: Vessel Abilities
Elective vessel abilities resolve first, before the Tier Sequence begins, unless the ability indicates otherwise. These elective abilities should have been paid for and declared during the Preparation Phase as part of planning. Beginning with the Priority player, elective abilities resolve in clockwise order.
--Step 2: Tier Sequence
Next, the Tier Actions you planned in the Preparation Phase are revealed.
The Tier Sequence is resolved by Tier and by player, one column at a time. The Priority player begins.
If there is a card set face down in the Tier it is ACTIVATED (flipped face up). That player follows the instructions on the card. If the player has a reminder token in the Tier, that action has already resolved, so nothing happens at that time for that player.
Timeline Rule
All players stay in the same Tier at the same time. The Priority player begins a new Tier for all players.
After the Priority player's Tier 1 is resolved, the next player to the left resolves his/her Tier 1 action, and so on for all other players. After all Tier 1 actions have resolved, the sequence repeats itself with Tier 2 actions, beginning with the Priority player. Tier 3 actions will resolve likewise. If any players have extra tiers only those players will continue until all Tier actions are resolved.
Priority Prerogative
Some events might occur simultaneously (such as gaining and/or paying energy counters). If simultaneous actions occur between players, the Priority player may choose the order in which they resolve.If, for example, you declare an attack targeting a player, and that targeted player targets you with another attack, the Priority player decides which attack resolves first.
Card effects often use the phase "this vessel", meaning the ship that played the card. Your cards are played by your vessels. You don't get to control another player's vessel unless card text specifically states as such.
--Doubling Up
Ordinarily, a player performs only one action in a Tier. Some cards permit more than one card to be placed in a single Tier. When two cards exist in a Tier for the same player the first card is in Primary Position and the second card is in Secondary Position.No more than 2 cards can be SET in the same Tier for the same player at the same time.
If 2 cards are set in your Tier, when it is time to resolve those cards flip both face up and then resolve each in order: the primary position card then secondary position.
Discard Phase
The Discard Phase deals with regular maintenance. Some cards require a renewal payment or offer some bonus during this phase.
Some events might occur simultaneously (such as gaining and/or paying energy counters). If the simultaneous actions occur on the same vessel, the Priority player prerogative does not apply.
Cards and reminder tokens currently in the Tiers expire at this time and are sent to the Discard Pile which remains FACE UP. Any player may look through your Discard Pile (with your permission) at any time. Do not change the order of the cards in any Discard Pile.
End of Turn Phase
During End of Turn all effects that last for a turn (i.e., “for this turn”) end. Also, the Priority player may draw the top card of his/her Action Deck if desired.
Lastly, Priority shifts to the next player (pass the Priority marker to the player to your left). The new Priority player will begin the next turn.
This constitutes the basic sequence of game play.
