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Galactic Cruise
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Launch Pad
2010
Rules assistance for Launch Pad
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with saved question history.
Rules assistant for Launch Pad
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Launch Pad is a board game released in 2010 for 2–4 players, 30–60 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Melanie James and its main mechanics are Hand Management and Set Collection.
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About the game
The space race is on! You are battling to build the biggest, baddest rockets possible and send them soaring into space. Each rocket requires metal, fuel, and the expertise needed for liftoff. As you build your rockets, beware of your opponents, who are eager to steal your goods and sabotage your work--you may even have some tricks of your own to thwart their progress. All the while, the launch pad is being constructed--as soon as it’s ready, the rockets that are "go" for launch will blast off into space, leaving all others behind! Do you have what it takes to make your rockets soar before it’s too late?
Editions
- Launch PadenStratus Games2010
- КосмодромruMagellan2016
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Magellan
- Stratus Games
Questions and answers
Launch Pad supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Launch Pad is 30–60 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Launch Pad for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Launch Pad has a complexity rating of 1.4 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Launch Pad belongs to these categories: Card Game, Science Fiction, and Industry / Manufacturing. Its main mechanics are Hand Management and Set Collection. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Launch Pad are: Melanie James. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Launch Pad as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.