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Starfall
- 1–4 players
- 180 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 1979
- BGG rank
- BGG #19,419
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Shooting Stars: A Tactical Game of Fighter Combat in Space
1980
Rules assistance for Shooting Stars: A Tactical Game of Fighter Combat in Space
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1–4 players
- 120 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.3/5
Rules assistant for Shooting Stars: A Tactical Game of Fighter Combat in Space
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Shooting Stars: A Tactical Game of Fighter Combat in Space is a board game released in 1980 for 1–4 players, 120 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Michael J. Matheny and J. Stephen Peek and its main mechanics are Simultaneous Action Selection, Hexagon Grid, and Action Points.
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About the game
"A tactical game of fighter combat in space" beginning in the "near future". Scenarios range from the first U.S.-Soviet Space War, to Asteroid Pirates (the title of a later Yaquinto game), to Alien Invaders. Inertial, vector-based movement provides some realism (there are even some three-dimensional optional rules). Detailed energy management between fifteen ship functions (including cloaks, shields, scanners and so on) and a myriad of weapons provide even more playing pleasure. Eight ship designs are included, with more easily designed. This is almost a miniatures game, as some weapons come with effect templates. Pieces are provided for larger ships, a space station and asteroids. Hidden movement is possible using the advanced optional rules. Turns are simultaneous, with the players using the familiar Yaquinto shields to adjust their ship displays hidden from view. (In this game's credits, we learn that Michael S. Matheny is Michael Scott Matheny) Asteroid Pirates: A Game of Ship to Ship Combat in the Asteroid Belts is a simplified version of this game.
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Yaquinto
Questions and answers
Shooting Stars: A Tactical Game of Fighter Combat in Space supports 1–4 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 Shooting Stars: A Tactical Game of Fighter Combat in Space is 120 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 Shooting Stars: A Tactical Game of Fighter Combat in Space for ages 12 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.
Shooting Stars: A Tactical Game of Fighter Combat in Space has a complexity rating of 2.3 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-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.
Shooting Stars: A Tactical Game of Fighter Combat in Space belongs to these categories: Wargame and Science Fiction. Its main mechanics are Simultaneous Action Selection, Hexagon Grid, and Action Points. 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 Shooting Stars: A Tactical Game of Fighter Combat in Space are: Michael J. Matheny and J. Stephen Peek. 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 Shooting Stars: A Tactical Game of Fighter Combat in Space 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.