Gunship: First Strike is an Escape Pod Games core release in a planned series of tactical space combat games. Players fight to win battles in a futuristic civil war with a variety of ship types. From the agile and speedy Fighters, to versatile Gunships and powerful Assault Carriers, every battle is a well-balanced slugfest that comes right down to the wire!
The War
This “peaceful era” lasted only a few scant months. The Industrial Sectors, led by the greedy warmongers of the Warship Guild, launched a deadly and unexpected assault on the Galactic Capitol. The unarmed Senators and bored security detail were no match for the hordes of Warbots that burst in and laid the entire assembly to waste. Energized by the prospect of new leadership and a return to the old way of life, the people watched and waited for new orders. Dissent, if it existed, was silent.
Filling the newly created vacuum of power was not as easy to achieve as staging the coup. Dozens of competing factions, fueled by the bitter animosity of old grudges, emerged throughout the galaxy. These groups, many having a small fleet to back them up, fought vigorously for control of key resources. Loyalty to the Regency was replaced by loyalty to Homeworld, clan and occasional brief alliance. Treaties of convenience were signed and quickly broken when no longer useful.
A new Era of War had begun.
A year later, a few of the more powerful groups have established uneasy truces and new territories. Troops who once fought side by side are now sworn enemies. Ships that once belonged to the same task force now destroy each other in fierce combat. But for the millions of officers, pilots, soldiers and engineers of the shattered Fleet, it’s a better life than being a farmer or merchant. To die in combat is to join those who went before them to Paradise. Many will rejoin their defeated brothers in the times soon to pass.
The Battle
In a far-flung sector of space, two Assault Groups are about to emerge from Hyperspace at exactly the same time. Each Commander has orders to establish an outpost on the planet below – but only one side is going to survive to make planetfall. Battle alerts sound, Fighters launch, and last-second adjustments are made to the Gunships. The Carriers take their first ranging shots as their hangars launch spirited combatants into the fray. As targeting data calibrates and pulses accelerate, glorious battle is joined once more.
The Ships
As a unit in the game, your Gunship is the most valuable weapon in your arsenal. Gunships are the only units that use cards, and the only unit that can consistently do heavy damage to the enemy Carrier. Keep it protected and properly equipped and it will serve you well.
Your Fighters lack the firepower needed to damage the enemy Carrier, but they offer protection for your Gunship and help in other ways.
In Gunship: First Strike, your Objective is the destruction of your opponent’s Carrier. In addition to defending your own Carrier, all of your efforts should be directed at doing as much damage to his as possible every turn.
The Rules
Simply enough, the game is played in turns, which are split into Phases.
The Initiative Phase and Carrier Phase are conducted at the start of each turn – both Players participate.
After the Carrier Phase, play alternates. Player 1 performs Phases 1-4, and then Player 2 does the same.
After Player 2 discards, a new turn begins. Initiative and Carrier Phases repeat. Players will end up going first on some turns, and second on others.
Play continues until one Player has destroyed the other Player’s Assault Carrier.
If you like the drama of sci-fi space combat, when the battle depends on getting those Shields online, fighting your way through the enemy fleet, and hitting the bullseye with your last Torpedo to win the day, you’ll LOVE Gunship: First Strike!
Gunship: First Strike is…
- a Card Game that utilizes Dice and Boards in a new and exciting way
- a Space Battle between 2 players that lasts between 30 and 45 minutes
- Customizable, Innovative and Highly Expandable
- Well-Balanced. Most games are won by less than a handful of Hit Points
- Flexible. A great game to start the night or to have fun playing all day in Campaign Mode
- perfect for players who like to blow things up with a variety of ship-mounted Heavy Weapons!
Gunship: First Strike will take flight on Kickstarter in mid-February but it isn’t too early to start taking a look at the project. The title is generating a lot of buzz pre-Kickstarter launch so I recommend popping over to Escape Pod Games to get a look at what’s coming to Kickstarter next month and keep your eyes peeled for more inside dope on Gunship: First Strike here on The Gaming Gang!
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Hi! Great article! I’m Luca Oleastri, the author of all illustrations of Gunship.
Nicely done Luca, as they look great!