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- BGG rating
- 8.0
Star Wars: Imperial Assault
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- 2014
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Rules assistance for Space 1889 Adversaries
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 90 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.0/5
Rules assistant for Space 1889 Adversaries
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Space 1889 Adversaries is an expansion for Cloudships & Gunboats released in 1989 for 2–6 players, 90 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up.
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About the game
Adversaries was GDW's series of additional detailed game components (miniatures really) for the many titles under the Space:1889 Banner. Martian Cloudships (GDW 1801) A set of miniature plastic Martian cloudships. The box contains several additional sprues of the Martian Cloudships, identical to the single sprue contained in Sky Galleons of Mars. The true genius here was including kit bashing instructions so that avid players could convert these stock miniatures into other cloudships detailed in yet other Space: 1889 (Original edition) products. Expands: Sky Galleons of Mars and Ironclads and Ether Flyers Aerial Gunboats (GDW 1802) A similar set of plastic British aerial gunboats. In this case, additional sprues of the British Gunboats from Sky Galleons of Mars with kit bashing instructions to create other gunboats detailed in Space: 1889 (Original edition). Expands: Sky Galleons of Mars and Ironclads and Ether Flyers Victorian Adventurers (GDW 1821) A set of ten 25mm figures created by RAFM to replace the pawns in Temple of the Beastmen. From the publisher: Intrepid Victorian adventurers penetrate the inner sanctum of a High Martian kraag, the mountain fortresses cut from the living stone of tall mesas by the savage winged High Martians. Each adventurer strives to be the first to fight his way through to the heart of the kraag and discover the sinister Worm Priests. Expands: Temple of the Beastmen, Soldier's Companion, and Cloudships & Gunboats Kraag Warriors (GDW 1843) A set of twenty 25mm figures (in 10 poses) created by RAFM for use with Temple of the Beastmen and the related role-playing game. Expands: Temple of the Beastmen, Soldier's Companion, and Cloudships & Gunboats Soldiers of the Queen (GDW 1841) A set of eighteen 25mm figures (in 10 poses) created by RAFM for use with Soldier's Companion and the related role-playing game. Expands: Soldier's Companion and Cloudships & Gunboats Legions of Mars (GDW 1842) A set of twenty 25mm figures (in 10 poses) created by RAFM for use with Soldier's Companion and the related role-playing game. Expands: Soldier's Companion and Cloudships & Gunboats
Publishers
- Game Designers' Workshop (GDW Games)
- RAFM
Questions and answers
Space 1889 Adversaries supports 2–6 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 Space 1889 Adversaries is 90 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 Space 1889 Adversaries 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.
Space 1889 Adversaries has a complexity rating of 2.0 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.
Space 1889 Adversaries belongs to these categories: Wargame, Adventure, and Science Fiction. Categories describe the theme, setting and style of a game rather than its rules. Filter the catalogue by the same category to find similar games when you enjoyed Space 1889 Adversaries and want something comparable for your next game night.
The catalogue lists Space 1889 Adversaries as an expansion for Cloudships & Gunboats. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Cloudships & Gunboats to use it. Check that your edition of Cloudships & Gunboats is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.