Starcide: Promethean Crusade

Starcide: Promethean Crusade is a miniature game that blends resource management with the intricacies of fleet composition. Players command a fleet of six ships, led by two admirals chosen at the outset. With a broad array of commanders, each bringing unique skills and attributes, players can explore a multitude of tactical possibilities, ensuring a diverse and dynamic gameplay experience. The primary objective is to assemble a fleet of spacefaring vessels, each tailored to meet the specific demands of the many scenarios woven into the game. Each ship incurs a cost, measured in command points, which players can accumulate by achieving scenario objectives, capturing critical "jump points," or selecting ships that generate passive income. This system encourages strategic planning and thoughtful decision-making as players balance immediate needs with long-term goals.

 At the heart of Promethean Crusade lies the fundamental role of mining units. These units harvest valuable crystals from asteroid fields, providing a permanent boost to the player’s in-game income. Safeguarding these mining units is of paramount importance, as their survival enables the summoning of more formidable ships, the construction of structures that expand the command dice pool, and the fortification of defenses, all of which are vital to maintaining a competitive edge.

Sławek Aftarczuk, co-creator of the game’s rules, says: "Starcide: Promethean Crusade is something fresh in the world of space wargames. Our main goal as designers was to avoid unit congestion in the center and ensure high maneuverability of the ships. Thanks to the Jump Point system, the action is dynamic, and we exchange fire from the very first round of the game. With the scenarios, each game will feel completely different, and every battle can be won either by destroying the enemy or achieving the set objectives. The implemented economic system is based on collecting chrono shards, which gives us access to more powerful units that, thanks to their strength, will lead us to glory and victory in our cosmic conquests!"

The game's initiative system introduces an innovative approach to unit activation. Ships are assigned values ranging from 1 to 6, and players can manipulate these values using the command dice of their admirals, granting them the flexibility to alter the activation order and gain a strategic advantage on the battlefield. Unlike traditional miniature games, Starcide does not employ fixed deployment zones. Instead, the use of Jump Points allows fleets to materialize at various locations, introducing an element of unpredictability and making every activation a potentially game-changing event.