StarMarines

Copyright 2003 by Mike Fischer
Last modified: 07/24/2004

I. Introduction

If you're curious about StarMarines, but the number of counters and markers makes you nervous, this QuickStart set might help you get your feet wet. The rules in this document, plus the half-page of counters and markers that comes with it, give you almost everything you need to fight a small-scale battle between the StarMarines and the Norx.

You'll need to print out the main game rules, and the rule books for the StarMarines and the Norx. You'll also need six of my M8 maps; pick a few with some trees or hills, or use the tech-facility maps.

Some standard game markers, like "Vehicle disarmed," are not part of the QuickStart set because, without a Fixer unit to repair them, a disarmed vehicle is as good as dead, so it needs no marker.

II. Setting Up

This QuickStart is a 25-point game. The units get set up as follows:

StarMarines===Norx
PointsUnitsPointsUnits
5Fire Team "A" -- 4 Troopers5Bunch 1 -- 5 Linemen
0- Gauss rifle0- Boom gun
0- Gauss rifle0- Boom gun
1- Autogun0- Stick shooter
0- Gauss pistol, monomol sword0- Bang-bang gun
5Fire Team "B" -- 4 Troopers0- Boom pistol, little chopper
0- Gauss rifle5Bunch 2 -- 5 linemen
0- Gauss rifle0- Boom gun
1- RPG0- Boom gun
0- Gauss pistol, shock glove0- Bang-bang gun
6Fire Team "C" -- 4 PARMs1- Mikulla Killer
0- Gauss SMG0- Boom pistol, little blade
1- Flame Thrower6Bunch 3 -- 5 Linebackers
0- Gauss pistol, monomol sword0- Bang-bang gun
0- Shock glove, shield1- Big chopper
1Sergeant0- Boom pistol, little chopper
0- Gauss rifle0- Boom pistol, little chopper
2- Veteran experience0- Boom pistol, little blade
32 skimmerbikes1Little Ref
0- Gauss rifle0- Bang-bang gun
0- Gauss SMG1- Average experience
41 Little Bucket
0- Boom gun
1- Fire gun

Units whose weapons are in italics get no weapons marker -- they are using the default weapon(s) for that type of soldier. You can mix and match the weapons to the soldiers and vehicles you want to carry them. Units whose experience is not described, are at Green level.

What makes this game a "quick start" is that I've already counted the points and assigned the weapons for the soldiers. In a full-scale game, you would do this yourself, which can be time-consuming (and is part of the fun of the game).

III. Playing the QuickStart

Set up six M8 map tiles in a rectangle; it doesn't matter which section goes where. The players choose opposing sides of the map, and set up their counters along the long edges. Play the "To the Death" scenario, as described in the main rules.