Combat cards and star tokens are some of a player’s most precious assets. Combat cards, in terms of game play, represent military actions and happenings or unit abilities. These cards may hinder the opposition fleet, enhance a player’s units or may instantly change the course of a battle.

There is no limit to the number of combat cards a player may hold, unless the scenario battle notes state otherwise.

Every combat card contains the following information:

  1. Combat card title.
  2. The cost in star tokens that are required to play the card and apply its effect.
  3. When during a turn a combat card must be played.
  4. The combat card’s target, subject, or beneficiary.
  5. A description of the action, effect, and any special rules.


Players must observe a number of simple, but critically important, rules when bringing a combat card into play:

  • A player may play a maximum of one combat card during his turn.
  • A player may play a maximum of one combat card during the opponent’s turn.
  • A combat card must always be played during its indicated phase of play. Some combat cards may be played out of turn during the opponent’s game turn, or in reaction to one of his or his opponent’s actions.
  • When playing a combat card, place it in front of you during the appropriate phase of play (possibly in reaction to one of your opponent’s actions) and read it aloud.
  • To play a combat card the player must be able to immediately pay its corresponding star cost out of the star tokens already in a player’s possession prior to the card’s effect coming into play.
  • In case of contradiction between the effects of two combat cards played in succession, the second card trumps the effect of the first card.
  • In case of conflict between the basic rules and combat card, the rules of the combat card take precedence. However, space feature movement and battle restrictions will always apply to combat cards unless stated otherwise on the combat card.