Objective
Galaxy Trucker is a board game where players act as intergalactic truckers who build their spaceship and transport goods across the galaxy. The goal is to earn the most money by transporting the most valuable goods while suffering the least damage to your spaceship.
Components
- Game board depicting the different rounds
- Spaceship layout boards
- Numerous spaceship part tiles
- Cards for travel events
- Credits representing the earned money
- Additional markers and dice
Gameplay
The game consists of several rounds, each split into two main phases: the building phase and the flight phase.
Building Phase
- Spaceship Construction:
- Each player receives a spaceship blueprint.
- Players simultaneously and as quickly as possible draw spaceship parts from a common pool and must place them according to building rules on their layout.
- Connectors must fit: Simple connectors only match with simple connectors, universal connectors can match with any type.
- The goal is to assemble the best and most stable spaceship possible.
Flight Phase
- Travel Events:
- Players go through a set of events determined by cards.
- These events can include asteroid fields, pirate encounters, planets, and more.
- Dice are used to determine the effects of these events.
- Poorly constructed or vulnerable parts of the ship may be lost; critical modules like weapons, shields, and engines play a major role in defense.
End of Game and Scoring
- After all events have been resolved, players count their points.
- Earned credits from transporting goods and fulfilling special objectives are added.
- Penalties are applied for lost parts or unused cargo space.
- The player with the most credits at the end of a certain number of rounds wins the game.
Special Strategies
- Collecting Strategy: Focus on maximizing the amount of useful and high-value goods transported.
- Defensive Strategy: Build a sturdier ship that can withstand asteroids and pirate attacks.
- Risk Management: Decide when it's better to avoid a risky event or accept potential losses for greater rewards.
Tips for Beginners
- Start with simpler ships to learn the building mechanics.
- Observe the strategies of experienced players to build a learning curve.
- Plan ahead during the building process but remain flexible to adapt to suboptimal starting conditions.
Galaxy Trucker is a blend of frenzy, luck, and strategic planning, suitable for 3-4 players, and ensures a chaotic yet fun experience.
