/pic7245199.jpg)
ISS Vanguard
Awaken Realms · 2022
1–490–120 min13+ yrs3.7/5 complexity8.3 BGG#159 BGG18 KCo-opStrategy
⚡ short answer
How do you play ISS Vanguard?
The primary objective in ISS Vanguard is to unravel the mystery of the lost fleet and discover new habitable planets for humanity. This is achieved by progressing through a branching narrative campaign, making critical decisions, and successfully completing missions on various planets. Players must balance resource management, crew well-being, and exploration efforts to advance the story and achieve the ultimate goal of finding a new home.
To find the best price for ISS Vanguard, howtoplay.ro compares deals from Romanian shops every day.
FromRON 1,599
/pic7245199.jpg)
the rules in 60 seconds▶ auto · 1/6
🧩
01
Setup
The game involves setting up the ship management board and the exploration board, preparing crew members, and drawing initial event cards.
The rules, step by step
Setup
Setting up ISS Vanguard involves preparing two main areas: the ship management board and the planetary exploration board. Players select their crew members, each with unique skills and roles, and equip them with starting gear. The ship board is populated with various modules and resource trackers, while the exploration board is set up with initial planet tiles and event cards. The game's extensive narrative is introduced through a logbook, guiding players through the initial setup and campaign premise.
Objective
The primary objective in ISS Vanguard is to unravel the mystery of the lost fleet and discover new habitable planets for humanity. This is achieved by progressing through a branching narrative campaign, making critical decisions, and successfully completing missions on various planets. Players must balance resource management, crew well-being, and exploration efforts to advance the story and achieve the ultimate goal of finding a new home.
On your turn
Each turn in ISS Vanguard is divided into two distinct phases: the ship management phase and the planetary exploration phase. During the ship management phase, players allocate crew members to different ship sections to perform actions like research, repairs, and resource gathering. The planetary exploration phase involves selecting a planet to explore, where players use dice rolls to overcome challenges, discover new locations, and interact with narrative events. Success in exploration often depends on strategic dice manipulation and crew skill utilization.
Scoring
ISS Vanguard is a cooperative campaign game, and as such, it does not feature a traditional scoring system. Success is measured by the progression of the overarching narrative and the completion of campaign objectives. Players either collectively succeed in their missions and advance the story, or they face setbacks and potential campaign failure. The emphasis is on the shared experience and the unfolding story rather than accumulating points.
Game end
The game concludes when the players reach the end of the campaign's narrative arc, typically after completing a series of interconnected missions and making significant story choices. The ending can vary based on player decisions and mission outcomes, leading to different narrative conclusions. Failure to meet critical objectives or manage resources effectively can also lead to an early campaign end, with a corresponding narrative resolution.
Tips
To fully enjoy ISS Vanguard, it is crucial to embrace its rich science fiction narrative and thematic elements, as the gameplay can sometimes feel like a drag due to its length and reliance on luck. The exploration phase, in particular, can be frustrating with its swingy dice rolls and numerous rules. Playing the game consistently, ideally weekly or a couple of times a month, helps in retaining the complex rules and maintaining narrative immersion. Consider playing cooperatively to share the burden of rules management and mitigate individual frustrations, making the experience more enjoyable.
🔬 game anatomy
Complexity3.7 / 5
BGG rating8.3 / 10
Vibe
Co-opStrategy
Language dependence
Unplayable in another language
Play time
90–120 min
Players
1–4
Recommended age
13+ yrs
BGG rank
#159
✨ from Trișache · verified
Frequently asked questions
Q1What is the goal of the game?
The primary objective in ISS Vanguard is to unravel the mystery of the lost fleet and discover new habitable planets for humanity. This is achieved by progressing through a branching narrative campaign, making critical decisions, and successfully completing missions on various planets. Players must balance resource management, crew well-being, and exploration efforts to advance the story and achieve the ultimate goal of finding a new home.
Q2How do you set up the game?
Setting up ISS Vanguard involves preparing two main areas: the ship management board and the planetary exploration board. Players select their crew members, each with unique skills and roles, and equip them with starting gear. The ship board is populated with various modules and resource trackers, while the exploration board is set up with initial planet tiles and event cards. The game's extensive narrative is introduced through a logbook, guiding players through the initial setup and campaign premise.
Q3How does a turn work?
Each turn in ISS Vanguard is divided into two distinct phases: the ship management phase and the planetary exploration phase. During the ship management phase, players allocate crew members to different ship sections to perform actions like research, repairs, and resource gathering. The planetary exploration phase involves selecting a planet to explore, where players use dice rolls to overcome challenges, discover new locations, and interact with narrative events. Success in exploration often depends on strategic dice manipulation and crew skill utilization.
Q4How is scoring calculated?
ISS Vanguard is a cooperative campaign game, and as such, it does not feature a traditional scoring system. Success is measured by the progression of the overarching narrative and the completion of campaign objectives. Players either collectively succeed in their missions and advance the story, or they face setbacks and potential campaign failure. The emphasis is on the shared experience and the unfolding story rather than accumulating points.
Q5When and how does the game end?
The game concludes when the players reach the end of the campaign's narrative arc, typically after completing a series of interconnected missions and making significant story choices. The ending can vary based on player decisions and mission outcomes, leading to different narrative conclusions. Failure to meet critical objectives or manage resources effectively can also lead to an early campaign end, with a corresponding narrative resolution.
Q6What tips are there for beginners?
To fully enjoy ISS Vanguard, it is crucial to embrace its rich science fiction narrative and thematic elements, as the gameplay can sometimes feel like a drag due to its length and reliance on luck. The exploration phase, in particular, can be frustrating with its swingy dice rolls and numerous rules. Playing the game consistently, ideally weekly or a couple of times a month, helps in retaining the complex rules and maintaining narrative immersion. Consider playing cooperatively to share the burden of rules management and mitigate individual frustrations, making the experience more enjoyable.
Q7How much does ISS Vanguard cost?
ISS Vanguard costs around 1599 RON in Romania.
Q8Where can I buy ISS Vanguard cheapest?
The lowest price for ISS Vanguard right now is 1599 RON at Regatul Jocurilor. The Prices tab lists every store currently tracking it.
Q9How do you play ISS Vanguard?
ISS Vanguard is a adventure game, for 1–4 players, taking ~90–120 minutes, featuring cooperative game. Check the Rules tab for setup, gameplay, and scoring, or ask Trișache anything about ISS Vanguard — our AI assistant built by howtoplay.ro and trained specifically on board game rulebooks.
Q10How many players does ISS Vanguard support?
ISS Vanguard is played by 1–4 players.
💰 1 shop
All prices
1 shop · sorted by price
Regatul JocurilorCHEAPESTKickstarter
ISS Vanguard (Gamefound Commander's Pledge - Sundrop)
free over RON 149
● in stock
RON 1,599
Buy →Regatul JocurilorStandard (EN)
ISS Vanguard (English Standard Edition)
free over RON 149
○ out of stock
RON 749
Buy →affiliate links · prices include VAT · independent platform, no hidden sponsorships
🚚 Free shipping over RON 149
Mechanics & categories