Objective of the Game
Space Hulk is a tactical board game in which players take control of a squad of Space Marines navigating the labyrinthine interior of an abandoned spaceship, known as a Space Hulk. The objective is to combat dangerous aliens, the Genestealers, and achieve specific mission goals.
Number of Players and Duration
The game is designed for 1 to 6 players and typically lasts between 60 to 90 minutes.
Game Components
- A game board with modular room tiles
- Miniatures for Space Marines and Genestealers
- Action cards for the Space Marines
- Mission cards
- Dice
- Markers for various status effects
Game Setup
- Choose a Mission: Select one of the mission cards. The most experienced player can choose, or selection can be random.
- Setup Framework: The game board is set up according to the chosen mission layout.
- Assemble Squad: Each player selects a number of Space Marines to form a squad.
- Set Starting Positions: Marines start at the predefined starting field of the map.
Game Flow
- Begin a Round: The game is played in rounds, each consisting of several phases:
- Issuing Orders: Each player secretly selects an action command, such as moving, firing, or defending.
- Execute Orders: Cards are revealed, and actions are carried out in the order of their priority.
- Genestealer Attack: After Space Marine actions, Genestealers attack in numerical order, targeting the nearest marine unit.
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Draw Events: At the end of each turn, an event card is drawn, representing changes or challenges in the environment.
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Victory Conditions: Players win by completing mission objectives, such as reaching a critical location or eliminating a set number of Genestealers. The game is lost if all Space Marines are eliminated.
Special Rules
- Line-of-Sight: Shooting can only occur if the marines have a direct line of sight to a target.
- Overheat: Weapons can overheat, requiring a cooldown period where the marine cannot move for a turn.
- Coordination: As a cooperative game, coordination between players is critical.
Strategic Tips
- Positioning: Arrange marines in such a way that their backs are protected to avoid surprise attacks.
- Order Selection: Choosing the right order is crucial, as the sequence heavily affects the outcome.
- Teamwork: Constant communication of strategy and information among players is crucial to formulate the best action plan.
