Comments And Analysis

Obtain And Read The Rules

Some games a player can get into and do fine without having a copy of the rules. Starfire is not one of those games. Each player should have a copy of the rules, and should read them. Yes, the rules are relatively big and complex. The situation is not made any easier by the number of books through which the rules are spread and the way revisions are handled. But there are just too many important concepts buried in the text. If you haven't played at all before, start with the Imperial Starfire rule book, and then go on to Sky Marshal #2. At a minimum, you should have the following rule books:

• Imperial Starfire (the boxed set)
• Starfire, 3rd Edition Revised (get the package set including Stars At War, it's worth the extra cost)
• Sky Marshall #2 (obtain this from the Starfire Design Studio web site)

Learn The Space Master's Variations

No one plays Starfire "out of the box". It isn't possible. There are interpretations which have to be made to fill in holes and incomplete rules. Each Space Master will do this differently. All players need to know the modifications made for their game. If possible, get the Space Master to write the house rules down, so there will be fewer questions and misunderstandings later.

Pick A Name And Race Type

Do this early, so you can get it out of the way to concentrate on the specifics of game play. Besides, most Space Masters will take a while to get organized, and you will need something to do while recovering between sessions reading the rules.

Prepare For The Long Haul

Starfire is played relatively slowly. Unless played face-to-face, it will take the Space Master at least a number of days to determine the results of most turns. So don't expect things to progress rapidly. The early part of the campaign will probably seem unexciting, as your race works to establish its economic position. That's life in the big galaxy. Be prepared for a long, slow game.

To Play Comments

Updated 28 September 1999.