- Ensign
- Commander
- Captain
Ensign's rules are already explained as the basic sparring format.
Commander Rules
Commander rules expand upon Ensign level rules by adding two new dynamics to the game, and your deck will have to be built accordingly if you includes these cards.
Support Deck
Commander level games add the possibility of Support Craft, extra vessels which launch from the capital ship. Your deck will require “Deploy” cards to launch these vessels. Support Craft each have 1 action per turn. Their action options are printed in their card text area. Support Craft do not use tier actions so they don't use Action Cards which require a tier. But Star cards don't use a tier action so Support Craft can use these cards.
Support Craft begin the game in a "support deck" kept next to the Ship card. When deployed, move one of these support craft cards to the play area face up, with its Hull counters established (and any energy counters that may apply). Also place a vessel token on the map to represent the support craft. Support Craft cards offered in Expansion sets include vessel tokens for the map.
If a support craft is destroyed, remove its vessel token from the map and return its vessel card to the support deck. All cards from the support deck are returned there when removed from the play area.
Support Craft begin the game in a "support deck" kept next to the Ship card. When deployed, move one of these support craft cards to the play area face up, with its Hull counters established (and any energy counters that may apply). Also place a vessel token on the map to represent the support craft. Support Craft cards offered in Expansion sets include vessel tokens for the map.
If a support craft is destroyed, remove its vessel token from the map and return its vessel card to the support deck. All cards from the support deck are returned there when removed from the play area.
Environment Deck
Commander games also add the possibility of ENVIRONMENT cards. ENVIRONMENT cards can alter the map or affect all players in the game.
If you use ENVIRONMENT cards bring exactly 5 of them to the game. All ENVIRONMENT cards provided by players are shuffled together and placed in one stack. This forms the Environment Deck. The priority player begins the turn by playing the top card from the Environment Deck. What ever condition is described on the card is now in effect.
Many ENVIRONMENT cards feature a new keyword: LASTING. Lasting cards are essentially cards that stay in play (unlike most other cards in the game) but they don't equip to anything.
Players are not required to provide ENVIRONMENT cards. There is another option with Alternate Rules instead of playing an Environment Deck.
Captain Rules
Captain rules can include all game cards. These games add space stations and anything else that could feasibly work in the game setting. Space stations (called Bases) function much like a second ship, except they are Immobile vessels. They get their basic 3 tiers, and use cards the same way the capital ship does.
In Captain rules players must perform actions for both the ship and the base.
In Captain rules players must perform actions for both the ship and the base.
Connect