Game Playthrough
winning the game
To win the game you must avoid treacherous sabotages, steals, and other shenanigans while navigating through unforeseen challenges at every turn. Be the first player with 15 points face up on the table and win the race to space!
setting up the game
Place the 3 card decks (Star Cards, Action Cards, and Mission Cards) on your play mat. Discard areas will be to the side of each deck. Each player draws 3 Star Cards to start the game. Players may look at their cards, but must hold them until it is their turn to play.
Each player takes a turn rolling the dice. The player with the highest combined roll goes first.
Playing The Game
There are 3 different phases to each players turn:
Star Phase
Players begin their turn in the Star Phase. This phase is the only opportunity to play Star Cards, unless otherwise noted on the card. Star Cards consist of either points, advantages, or various sabotages.
It is during this phase that point cards can be played face up in front of the player (remember: 15 points wins the game!).
There is no limit to the number of Star Cards a player may choose to play during their turn, but once a Star Card is played it must be discarded (other than point cards). Keep in mind that players are never required to play Star Cards, and may instead choose to hold on to some for strategic purposes.
When the Star Card deck has been depleted, simply shuffle the discard pile and reuse.
exceptions:
Playing a Star Card outside of the Star Phase there are a couple Star Cards that can be played outside of the Star Phase, or even outside of a turn: Denied Star Card and Second Chance Star Card.
denied star card
Play at any time.
This card is used to “deny” the effects of any Star Card played. The card that was “denied” must then be discarded. This applies to all Star Cards, even the Instant Wins, with the exception of Rocket Point Cards. You can even “DENY” the denied card (seems ironic, don’t you think?).
second chance
Play during the Mission Phase.
After incorrectly answering a question, a player may use this card to answer the question a second time. Players reading the Mission Cards should not read the answer until they are sure that a Second Chance Card is not going to be played.
Other Star Cards
Sabotage
Play during the Star Phase.
Take a point card that has been played face up by another player.
stolen star
Play during the Star Phase.
Without looking, take a card from any player’s hand.
sorry (not really)
Play during the Star Phase.
Choose a player that must discard half of the cards in their hand. If that player has an odd number of cards, round down to the nearest even number.
instant win
Play during the Star Phase.
Allows player an opportunity to win the game. If player does not complete the instant win, the turn is over.
action Phase
After playing desired Star Cards, a player draws an Action Card. Action Cards give instructions about how additional Star Cards can be earned during that turn.
Most Action Cards will require a player to answer Mission Cards, however there are also mini game challenges in the mix that will earn players additional Star Cards. The mini games result in both rewards and consequences.
Star Power Dice
Some Action Cards have “Star Power” icons on the bottom right. Before starting the Mission Phase, roll both the “Star Power” dice. If you roll the “Star Power” combination, the reward for each correct answer is doubled (for that turn only).
Action Cards
space age roll-off
Take turns rolling the dice. The first player to roll the winning combination specified on the card (combined 7 roll, or doubles) earns the reward. All other players will discard a Star Card from their hand even if they did not roll during the game.
old fashioned duel
Challenge any player to a round of Rock-Paper-Scissors. If you tie you keep going until there is a winner. Allow me to remind you on the possible winning scenarios: Rock beats Scissors, Paper beats Rock, & Scissors beat Paper.
even if it hurts
Every player with more than 5 Star Cards in their hand must discard half of those cards. If any player has an odd number of cards they may round down (example: 7 cards round down to 6 cards). The active player then draws another Action Card.
odds or evens
Every player rolls the dice. Players who roll an even number draw a Star Card. Players who roll an odd number discard half of the cards in their hand. If that player has an odd number of cards they may round down (example: 5 cards round to 4 cards).
mission quest
Mission Quest Cards require the active player to answer Mission Cards. The player to their right will draw the
Mission Card(s) and read the question(s) aloud.
If the question is answered correctly, the player will earn the reward stated on the Action Card. If answered incorrectly, a “Second Chance” Star Card could be played for another try (if the player has one).
mission Phase
The Mission Phase consists of following the Action Card directions.
If the Action Card requires a player to answer question(s) on a Mission Card, the player to their right will draw the Mission Card(s) and read the question(s) aloud. If the question is answered correctly, the player will earn the reward stated on the Action Card. If answered incorrectly, a “Second Chance” Star Card could be played for another try (if the player has one).
Want To Customize Your ‘Mission Card’ Curriculum?
Our Mission Cards are designed to equip kids to think outside of purely multiple choice questions and step into high order thinking and STEM level questioning. We understand that many educators and parents have a need to optimize or change the questions based on your many unique factors that is why Race To Space was created to have consistent game play no matter which subject or question the student is learning.
Race to Space offers Parents and teachers the ability to customize the game questions and curriculum by using our provided blank cards or even index cards to incorporate their own spelling lists, math facts, science terms, vocabulary words, special units, or homeschool curriculum. Race to Space is a revolutionary new concept in educational games that your kids will want to play over and over again.