Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game

Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game transports players to the tense and exciting universe of the TV series. Each player takes on the role of one of the iconic characters, who are divided into four groups: Political Leader, Military Leader, Pilot and Support. In the game, everyone is a member of the Battlestar Galactica crew, fighting together for the survival of humanity. The main challenge comes from the constant threat of the Cylons, who may be infiltrating the players without anyone knowing for sure who they are. This internal intrigue creates a climate of mistrust as the players try to achieve their goals and keep the ship running. With strategic decisions, collaboration and a few pinches of betrayal, the game encapsulates the emotions of the series, where alliances are forged and broken, and the line between friend and foe is often blurred. Players must work together to navigate the dangers of space and stop the Cylons from preventing them from reaching the planet Kobol.

Age 10 + 180 min 3 to 6 players

Artists: Kevin Childress; Corey Konieczka

Designers: Corey Konieczka;

Date: 2008

Note: 8.4

Mechanics: Bets and bluffs, Cooperative, Deduction, Hand Management, Players with Different Skills, Team play, Negotiation, Data Scrolling, Voting

Topics: Pop or Geek Culture, Science Fiction, War

Table of Contents
- How to Play
- Tips for playing
- Game mechanics
- Game components
- Additional Information

How to play Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game

Each player takes on the role of one of the characters in the series, with a unique ability. Characters are divided into categories: Political, Military, Engineering and Support. Choose characters that are balanced between the categories to increase your chances of survival.

The humans' goal is to reach Earth by jumping the Galactica through space until the Distance Meter is filled. The Cylons, meanwhile, are trying to cause chaos and sabotage the human efforts by revealing themselves at just the right moment.

The game is structured in turns, where players perform actions such as casting abilities, moving the fleet, attacking cylon ships and trying to resolve crises. Each turn, a crisis card is revealed, bringing challenging events that must be overcome with skill cards.

Critical points to monitor include Fuel, Food, Morale and Population. The depletion of any of these resources leads to human defeat.

Players should cooperate, but keep an eye out for suspicious actions, as one or more players may be secret Cylons. Being suspicious and accusing other players may become necessary to protect the fleet.

The Cylons play in secret until they reveal themselves, at which point they gain new abilities to directly hinder the humans. Plan well when to reveal yourself and maximize damage to the fleet.

Use the Admiral's and President's rooms to obtain additional skills, such as nuclear launches and executive orders, which are essential for advanced strategies and important decision-making.

Keep communication open, but know how to bluff and detect bluffs to uncover the true intentions of your fellow players. Success depends as much on strategy as on psychology.

Main objective

The main objective of "Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game" is to survive and guide the human fleet to Earth, while facing alien threats and possible traitors within the group. Players take on the roles of characters from the series, cooperating to navigate challenges and manage critical resources such as fuel and food, while trying to identify and neutralize infiltrating Cylon agents whose mission is to sabotage the human fleet.

Tips for playing Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game

Here are some tips for doing better in the game Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game:

  • Be wary of suspicious actions by other players, even if they seem to be helping.
  • Manage resources efficiently, especially fuel and food.
  • Make good use of skill cards to maximize your contribution in crises.
  • Protect Galactica from Cylon attacks by keeping defenses prioritized.
  • Pay attention to the positioning of civilian ships, they are crucial for human survival.
  • Explore the options for leadership titles and how best to use them.
  • Keep morale high; without it, the team can quickly fall into despair.
  • Watch out for the brigade; once there, your options are limited.
  • Use the Pegasus Starbase for strategic advantage when possible.
  • Be alert to the possibility of internal sabotage; reveal Cylon when necessary to maximize the impact.
  • Weigh up the risks of jumping early to escape a critical situation.
  • Make sure the combat boats are ready to intercept enemy ships.

Video about the game

Mechanics of Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game

Mechanics of Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game
  • Hand Management: Players have skill cards in their hands, which are used for various actions, such as resolving crises and fighting enemies. Managing these cards is crucial, as certain actions require specific skills. Deciding when to use or keep cards is essential for the group's survival.
  • Players with Different Skills: Each player chooses a character with unique abilities. These skills determine the skill cards received and influence the actions available. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each character helps to form a balanced team.
  • Team play: The game is predominantly cooperative, with all players working together to achieve common goals, such as managing resources and defending the fleet. However, the presence of infiltrating Cylons creates a dynamic of distrust and betrayal.
  • Votação: Used in tests of skill to resolve crises. All players contribute cards secretly and the combined total decides the success or failure of the test. Skill cards with mismatched colors harm the team, encouraging sabotage by Cylon spies.
  • Rolling dice: Necessary in many situations, especially in combat and crisis resolution. Data results can determine the success of military actions and the survival of the fleet. Strategies can be planned around the probabilities of the data.
  • Bets and bluffs: With the presence of hidden Cylons, bluffing and gambling become vital parts of strategy. Human players need to discern genuine allies from saboteurs, while the Cylons try to conceal their true intentions until the opportune moment.
  • Deduction: Essential for identifying infiltrating Cylons. Players must observe suspicious behavior and questionable decisions to deduce who is working against the fleet. It's a constant game of analysis and suspicion.
  • Negotiation: Crucial for cooperation within the group. Players need to discuss and decide collectively on the use of scarce resources, defense planning and strategic actions. Negotiation skills can prevent internal crises within the group.
  • Cooperative: Although the game involves hidden opponents, the general premise is one of cooperation. Working together is key to facing external threats and maintaining the fleet's resources. Victory depends on how effectively players cooperate, even under the shadow of betrayal.

Game components Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game

See all the items in the game below Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game:

  • 1 tray
  • 21 engineering skill cards
  • 10 identity cards
  • 32 plastic ships
  • 4 aircraft control markers
  • 1 active player marker
  • 12 ship civil markers
  • 2 Basestar ship markers
  • 10 character bookmarks
  • 4 Basestar markers
  • 70 crisis letters
  • 16 loyalty cards
  • 21 driving skill cards
  • 4 Cylon Centurion markers
  • 5 advanced crisis cards
  • 1 eight-sided die
  • 1 list of Kobol's goals
  • 4 Cylon heavy raiders
  • 10 plastic bases for the characters
  • 21 tactical skill cards
  • 21 political skill cards
  • 21 leadership skills cards
  • 8 Viper fighters
  • 4 Raptor ships
  • 2 nuclear weapons markers
  • 4 Basestar damage markers
  • 16 Cylon raiders
  • 22 cards of destiny
  • 4 plastic connectors for resource control
  • 1 rulebook

Additional Information

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