EPIC SOLITAIRE NOTEBOOK ADVENTURES!

Space! Edition version 1.3

(by Jeffrey Kight)
ESNA by Scott Slomiany
ESNA Nameless Wanderer Edition by Jeffrey L. Hammans

This is a solitaire game, played with very minimal
components while attempting to capture the
essence of a large-scale science fiction universe.
It does this by using a system where you create
elements as needed. Since a lot of “the blanks”
will be filled in by you as you play, each game
will be as different, and as creative, as you allow.
ESNA Space! is a re-themed version of ESNA-NW,
itself a revised and expanded version of ESNA.
WHAT YOU NEED
A pencil
A few sheets of paper
This rule guide
The deck of ESNA cards
A small token to mark your current location
AN OVERVIEW OF THE CARDS
Before you start, you should familiarize yourself
with the cards. There’s a lot of information on
them, and they are
used to determine
many things. At this
point, a lot of the
way the game
handles things
won’t make much
sense until you read
through the rules.
This is a generalized
overview of each
part of the card, so
when you do get to
the rules, you’ll have
a good idea where
to look.
The black box letter
is used to reference
the name of a star system on your map or an
alien that you will battle.
terrain icon may also include a small marauder
icon which will indicate when new marauders
appear on the map.
The event matrix, in the middle of the card, is
used to determine what type of events happen,
based on the types of terrain in your current star
system.
The data in the red-lettered alien section, which
includes a type and plunder level, is used for
creating new aliens – and the data in the green-
lettered mission section, which also includes a
type and compensation level, is used for
determining new missions.
The starship location at bottom right will indicate
what section of your starship has been severely
damaged when you are crippled in battle. It is
also used to determine types of discovered
exotic tech.
The green level numbers, along the left side of
the card, are used to determine values for
yourself and your opponents in battle by using
them in conjunction with the red battle strength
numbers.
Additionally, the green level numbers are used
to determine values for collecting plunder when
defeating aliens in battle and for collecting
compensation when completing missions, by
using them in conjunction with the gold resource
numbers.
GETTING STARTED
Shuffle the cards and place them face down as
the draw deck. Cards drawn from this deck are
placed face up in a discard pile. Much like any
other card game, when the draw deck runs out,
shuffle the discard pile and place these cards
face down to create a new draw deck.

Below that, the additional routes number is used

to determine how many paths extend out to
other star systems when creating a new system.

The terrain icon, below the additional routes

number, is used to determine the types of terrain
in a given star system when creating it. The
1
YOUR STARSHIP
On a sheet of paper, record this information:
 tech level (you begin at 2)
 maximum hull points (starts at 60)
 current hull points (begin at maximum)
 resources (currently none)
 The following sections to track any installed
exotic tech and to track any damage:
o Bridge
o Primary & Secondary Weapons
o Fuselage
o Main & Auxiliary Engines
 Cargo (to track carried items not installed
on your starship - currently empty)
 a place to track acquired battle actions
 an area for keeping track of missions
Record your starting battle action – Run Away!
Everything else is blank.
YOUR ALIEN LIST
On another sheet of paper, create a vertical list
of letters, A through T. These will be the aliens you
battle throughout the game. Each alien will be
referenced by its letter on this chart. Aside from
the column of letters, you will need these
additional columns: type, name, terrain bonus,
terrain penalty, tech level, plunder level, and
force size.
2
YOUR MAP
The entirety of the map is your universe. It will be
comprised of various star systems that are
created as you need them. You can have up to
20 star systems, each starting with a unique
letter, A through T.
One another sheet of paper, you will need to
draw your starting star system.
Draw a circle, large enough to contain a few
icons. Just remember that you may have up to
20 of them on your map, so size accordingly.
Write the name of your new star system along its
border. As you explore this universe and discover
new systems, each will be given a name. The
only restriction is that each name can only start
with a particular letter once, A through T. So if
you decide to name this new star system
“Arrak”, you cannot name any other system with
a name beginning with the letter A.
As with your alien list, the letters A through T are
used as a reference guide.
Now draw four routes (dotted lines) that extend
from the star system.
Draw a card and look at the terrain icon at the
top. Draw two of these icons in your new star
system. Place this card face up on the discard
pile. (Generally, each card drawn will be used
for one particular action then discarded.)
Draw a colony and write
the number 1 in it. This
indicates that this colony
is at tech level 1.
Finally, place your token
on your starting star
system. You are all set to
wander, explore, and
beat up random semi-
helpless aliens.
WAYS THE GAME CAN END
There are two ways for the game to end. You
can decide to retire, at which point your final
score is based on the value of your habitat.

Or you could die.

Thankfully death can be hard to come by. First, if

at any point during the game your starship hull
points drop below zero, your starship is
considered to be crippled. When your starship is
crippled, draw a card and look at the starship
location. If the bridge or fuselage is indicated,
then yes – you’re dead. Game over.

However, if a weapon or engine is indicated,

things can get a little tricky. Mark the
corresponding section on your starship as
damaged. Any installed exotic tech at that
location is destroyed. Now, move to the closest
colony or industry (in case of a tie, you choose.)
where your starship receives field repairs by the
locals (regardless of their disapproval rating)
who restores its hull points to half your starship’s
current maximum.

The damaged section can no longer support

any exotic tech.

However, if the colony or industry has a shipyard

icon next to it, you may attempt to have the
damaged section replaced. To determine how
the well manufacturing goes, draw a card plus
one for every prior shipyard
replaced section your starship
currently has. If any of these
cards indicate the bridge, then
your starship was damaged
beyond repair and is no longer
space worthy. Game over.

Otherwise, your starship section was successfully

replaced with a section having a tech level
equal to the tech level of the shipyard. The
replaced section is treated as a form of exotic
tech, in that its tech level is added to all your
battle strengths. The replaced section, however,
will no longer support any further exotic tech.

Replaced sections can still be destroyed and

thereby replaced again with a new section
following the procedure above.

3
TURN SEQUENCE 3 – CHECK FOR AN EVENT
A turn consists of the following actions, done in Using the same card, look at the event matrix.
the order shown below. Some will always be Compare the two terrain types of the star system
performed, while others are optional: you are currently located in with the two terrain
types in each box of the event matrix. If both
Move to a new star system along terrain types match, then the event indicated
1 Optional
a connecting route occurs. The events can be:
Draw a card and check
2 ALWAYS A LETTER
for new marauders
You have an alien encounter, which means you
Using the same card, check for an battle. If the alien referenced is not yet defined
3 ALWAYS
event in your alien list, or is at least three tech levels
Deal with displeased star systems below you, you will need to create it (see ALIEN
4 ALWAYS and choose to attack marauders CREATION).
(if present)
Perform actions based A battle is typically how an encounter or conflict
- Depends is resolved (see BATTLE SEQUENCE).
on active missions
Perform actions based on
5 Optional +1 OR +2
settlements in current star system
You may improve any settlement (colony,
6 Optional Retire industry, and space port) or shipyard by
increasing its tech level by one.
7 Optional Build your habitat
You may build a new tech level 1 settlement
(colony, industry, or space port) in any star
1 – MOVE
system that does not currently have a settlement
Moving is simply traveling along a route from
or your habitat. Or you may build a new tech
your current system to a neighboring star system.
level 1 shipyard next to any existing colony or
You do not have to move if you wish to stay in
industry.
your current location. If the route leads to a star
system that has not been created yet, you will
If you have a +2 improvement, you may perform
need to make one before you finish your move
any two of the actions described above, or any
(see STAR SYSTEM CREATION).
one action twice.
2 – CHECK FOR NEW MARAUDERS
4 – DISPLEASED STAR SYSTEMS
Draw a card and look at the terrain icon. If there
Although all settlements begin indifferent to your
is a marauder icon, and at least one of the
arrivals, they can develop a disapproval rating
current star system terrain types matches the
which will affect how they react to you.
card, then marauders have invaded.
By failing missions or letting marauders linger in
When marauders are dis-
their star system, a settlement’s disapproval
covered, their tech level is your
rating will grow and is reflected by X’s.
own plus one. Draw a small
Depending on the type of settlement, different
circle near the star system and
things happen based on their disapproval rating.
write inside this their starting
On the other hand, you can try to appease
tech level.
settlements by completing missions, defeating
aliens, and attacking marauders.
Additionally, add one to the tech level of up to
three other marauders that also exist in the
MARAUDERS PRESENT
universe.
First of all, if you decide to attack marauders in
your current star system, feel free to erase all X’s
Star systems may have multiple marauders.
present in that system. Marauders are a pain,
and getting rid of them helps any settlement.

4
Attacking marauders is accomplished by simply
completing a series of battles. The number of
battles you must complete is equal to the tech
level of the marauders. For each battle, you will
need to draw a new card to determine which
alien you face.
Unlike a normal battle, you DO NOT add to the
alien force size at the beginning of the battle
sequence. Additionally, all plunder earned from
the marauders is multiplied by two. If you
discover any exotic tech, add two to its tech
level (see GAINING RESOURCES).
If you “run the gauntlet” and eliminate all of the
aliens, erase the marauders. If your starship
becomes crippled (see WAYS THE GAME CAN
END), you may subtract the number of aliens
defeated from the marauder level.
If you choose not to engage the marauders and
there is a settlement present, add one X for
every marauder that exists in the star system.
MARAUDERS NOT PRESENT
If there are no marauders present in your current
star system, one of these things may happen:
COLONY – You must battle the colony militia. The
number of militia you must fight is equal to the
amount of X’s the colony has. The militia tech
level is one more than the tech level of the
colony.
INDUSTRY – You may attempt to defeat the
industry defense system to regain access to the
facilities. The defense system tech level is equal
to your current tech level plus the amount of X’s
present. Defeating the defense system removes
all X’s from the star system.
SPACE PORT – If there is only one X, the
governing body will demand you attempt a
mission as an act of good faith. Successfully
completing this mission will erase one X, but you
do not gain any compensation from it. Failing
this new mission will add another X to this star
system.
If there are two or more X’s, you must battle
three military starships, each at the same tech
level as you. If you are victorious, you may then
request a mission to appease the governing
body and immediately remove a single X.
5
5 – SETTLEMENT ACTIONS
If you are in a star system with a settlement, you
can perform one action per turn based on that
settlement type if there are no X’s present.
Settlements come in three types: colonies,
industries, and space ports. There can only be
one settlement per star system.
Settlements have their own tech level which can
be improved throughout the game during the
event phase.
COLONY
If you are in a system with a colony,
you may REPAIR your starship to
restore hull points (HP) up to its
maximum HP. This is accomplished
by spending a certain number of
resources:
Resources Spent * Tech Level of Colony = HP
Repaired
You cannot exceed its maximum hull points.
You may also SELL exotic tech. Remove the item
from your cargo or installed section when you
sell it. You gain resources based on the formula:
10 * Tech Level of item * Tech Level of Colony =
Resources Gained
INDUSTRY
If you are in a system with an
industry, you may UPGRADE,
which increases your tech level
by one.
You can only advance your tech
level by one per turn, and an
industry can only advance your tech level as
high as the industry tech level. The cost in
resources is 10 times your target tech level.
Advancing to a new tech level increases your
starship maximum hull points by 10 times the new
tech level.
By upgrading, you also refresh your current
battle actions and can gain a new battle
action. Battle actions are special abilities which
can be used during battle (see BATTLE ACTIONS).
SPACE PORT
If you are in a system with a
space port, you may explore
new routes, or even request a
mission,
To EXPLORE a new route, you
must pay a certain number of
resources based on the current number of routes
already open.
by 10. This the amount of resources you need to
spend to increase your habitat’s rating by one.
You may only increase impressiveness to the
total amount of space port tech levels in your
universe, as you are all competing for available
resources and supplies.

 A new route costs 250 resources for each

existing route, plus another 250 resources
for the new route.
 Only one route may be explored per turn.
 To explore a new, second route requires a
tech level 2 space port. To explore a third
route requires a tech level 3, etc.
 A route cannot be explored into another
star system which already has four routes.

You may REQUEST a mission if you wish (see

MISSIONS). There can only be one mission at a
time for any particular space port. If you have
not fulfilled your current mission for a particular
space port, you cannot request another one.

6 – RETIRE
You may quit your game and retire when you
are in the star system with your habitat. Your total
score is the impressiveness of your habitat.

When you advance to tech level 11, you

automatically retire as you prepare for your next
plane of existence.

7 – YOUR HABITAT
You may not develop a habitat until all three
types of settlements are represented in your
universe. To develop a habitat,
you must select a star system
with no settlement in it, and
draw your habitat icon there.
Place a zero in it as your habitat
has an initial impressiveness of 0.

Now, when you are in the star system containing

your habitat, you may spend resources in order
to develop to make it more luxurious and
impressive than the systems around you.

To add to the impressiveness of your habitat,

add up the tech levels of all settlements in your
universe and add your habitat’s current
impressiveness rating. Then multiply this number
6
STAR SYSTEM CREATION
When you need to create a new star system,
draw a circle in such a way that it connects to
an existing route from a previously existing star
system.
Give the new system a name. Remember each
star system name needs to start with a unique
letter, A through T. Once all letters have been
used, no new systems may be created and all
unused routes simply fade away.
Next draw a card and look at the additional
routes number. This tells you how many
additional routes extend from this new star
system. Draw those routes now. In some cases,
when getting information about additional
routes, you will find
that previously drawn
routes will “dead
end”. These too can
simply fade away.
Finally, draw two
more cards to get
the terrain types of
this new star system,
and draw those
inside the circle.
ALIEN CREATION
It only takes a few actions to create a new or
higher tech level alien for your universe. When
creating an alien, you are filling in the blanks for
the row of a selected reference letter.
Draw a card and look for the type listed in the
alien section. This indicates the type of alien you
are creating. Types determine different
modifications that the alien makes to the rules.
Write the type down in the appropriate column.
Next, give your alien a name and write it in.
To determine the alien terrain bonuses and
penalties, draw a card for each and write them
down in the appropriate columns. If both terrains
match however, then there are no modifiers as
they cancel each other.
The alien base tech level is determined by your
current tech level minus one.
7
To determine the plunder level of the alien, draw
another card and look at the number shown in
the alien section.
The first time you encounter this alien, you will put
a single mark in the force size column. The force
size determines how many aliens are in the
group you are battling. This number increases
with every encounter of a particular alien.
The following explains each alien type:
Cloaked – If the opponent’s force size is greater
than your tech level, you have a battle
strength of 0 and cannot use any battle
actions during the first battle round.
Cybernetic – When you win in battle, you halve
the opponent’s force size instead.
Ferocious – If this alien damages you in a battle
round, you receive additional damage
equal to the alien base battle strength for
that round.
Non-corporeal – Non-corporeal aliens will never
have a force size greater than your current
tech level. DO NOT add a mark to the alien
list if the current force size is equal to your
tech level. During the first battle round, if
won, non-corporeal aliens will deal no
damage. Beginning with the second battle
round, you must divide your battle strength
in half.
Psychic – Battle actions are ineffective against
these aliens.
Radioactive – If this alien does damage,
multiple that damage by two. The battle
then ends and you do not collect plunder.
Swarming – At the end of each battle round,
deduct an additional 1 from the alien force
size. HOWEVER, at the end of the battle,
add a mark to the alien force size on the
alien list.
Typical – Standard alien species.
BATTLE ACTIONS
To add a new battle action to your arsenal,
select one of the upgrade numbers available to
you by your current battle actions. An upgrade
number references the battle action upgrade
available.
Example: At the beginning of the game, you
start with the battle action Run Away! which has
upgrade numbers 2 and 8. When you advance
to a new tech level, you can add either battle
action 2 (Stand Your Ground) or battle action 8
(Continuum Vortex) to your list of actions. The
next time you advance, you may now use the
study numbers of both Run Away! and the battle
action you previously selected.
The following explains each battle action:
1. Run Away! – (early) Using emergency
vector rockets, you quickly escape.
Reduce your opponent’s total battle
strength by half. The battle is over after this
round; do not collect plunder. (upgrades: 2
and 8)
2. Stand Your Ground – (early) You use a last-
ditch offensive weapon array. Ignore this
battle sequence. Reduce your hull points
by half, and divide your opponent’s force
size by half. (upgrades: 3, 4, and 6)
3. Feint – (late) Your electronic screening
defense got the better of them. You may
recalculate the battle strength for yourself
or your opponents by drawing a new event
card. (upgrades: 4 and 6)
4. Dodge – (early) You strain your positioning
rockets in evasive maneuvering. Your
battle strength is 0 and your opponent’s
base battle strength is 1 for this round.
(upgrades: 5 and 7)
5. Sweeping Strike – (late) Great flying, kid! At
the end of this battle round, reduce your
opponent’s force size by two instead of
one. Sweeping Strike is refreshed
automatically after use – it does not expire.
(upgrades: 6 and 7)
6. Tactical Advantage – (late) Taking
advantage of your opponent’s mistake,
you may select the green level arrow
directly above your current level when
determining your battle strength.
(upgrades: 7 and 8)
8
7. Targeting Computer – (early) You overstress
your targeting circuits in generating superb
firing solutions. Draw two cards to obtain
two battle strengths for yourself. You can
use either one. (upgrades: 8 and 9)
8. Continuum Vortex – (late) You temporarily
escape by way of a quickly generated
worm-hole. No damage is done to your
starship nor is the opponent’s force size
reduced this round. (upgrades: 9, 10, and
11)
9. Shield Absorption – (early) A phase
inversion of your shield generators means
that all damage that is done to you is
instead added to your hull point total. Your
maximum hull points may be exceeded by
this. (upgrades: 10 and 12)
10. Critical Strike – (early) They’re going to feel
this one for a while! Deduct one from your
opponent’s force size on the alien list. The
current force size for this battle remains
unchanged. (upgrades: 11 and 13)
11. Assimilate – (late) You sacrifice the safety
of your salvage probes to gain an
advantage. The numeric value of aliens
defeated (force size reduced) times the
alien tech level is added to your hull points
up to your maximum hull points. (upgrades:
12 and 13)
12. Ruse – (late) Your camouflage worked this
time. Reduce the opponent’s force size by
the value of your current tech level. Do not
collect plunder if this ends the battle.
(upgrades: 13 and 2)
13. Full Weapons – (early) You redirect all
power to your weapon arrays. Your battle
strength for this round is 0. Triple your battle
strength during the next round of this
battle. (upgrades: 2 and 3)
Unless otherwise noted, you can only use any
single battle action once per level. When you
advance a level, the battle action is then
“recharged” and you may use it again.
BATTLE SEQUENCE
The VERY FIRST THING YOU DO before beginning
a battle is to increase the force size of the alien
you are battling by one on the alien list.
Therefore, the first time you encounter the alien it
will have a force size of one; the second time it
will have a force size of two, and so on.
As you battle, you will be reducing the force size
of the alien in battle. However this does not
mean you are reducing the number on the alien
list – you are instead reducing the size of the
force currently attacking you.
A battle consists of a short sequence of events
where you will be comparing your battle
strength against the battle strength of your
opponent.
To determine battle
strength, draw a new card
and place it face up on
top of the discard pile
slightly askew in such a
way that the green level
arrows on the top card
visibly point across to a red
battle strength number.
The number shown across
from your current level
number, or across from your opponent’s level
number, is the total (or base) battle strength.
A battle round is as follows:
1 Optional Perform an early battle action
2 ALWAYS Obtain your battle strength
3 ALWAYS Obtain opponent battle strength
4 Optional Perform a late battle action
Compare and resolve your battle
5 ALWAYS strength against your opponent’s
battle strength
1 – OPTIONAL EARLY BATTLE ACTION
You may activate an early battle action at this
time, following the rules of that battle action. If
you do this, you cannot activate another early
battle action for the remainder of this battle.
2 – OBTAIN YOUR BATTLE STRENGTH
Determine your effective level by applying any
installed exotic tech or shipyard replaced
sections modifiers to your current tech level.
Levels can never go below 1 or above 10.
9
Now determine your battle strength as
described above. Your battle strength may be
further adjusted by an early battle action or
alien type modification.
3 – OBTAIN OPPONENT BATTLE STRENGTH
Determine your opponent’s effective level by
applying any alien terrain modifiers to their
current tech level. If the alien’s bonus terrain
type exists in the current star system, add one (or
two if the terrain appears twice). Do the same
for the alien’s penalty terrain type, but subtract
one (or two) instead. Levels can never go below
1 or above 10.
Now determine your opponent’s base battle
strength as described above. This may be
adjusted due to an early battle action or alien
type modification. Multiply this base battle
strength by the current force size to determine
your opponent’s total battle strength.
4 – OPTIONAL LATE BATTLE ACTION
You may activate a late battle action at this
time, following the rules of that battle action. If
you do this, you cannot activate another late
battle action for the remainder of this battle. All
battle strength adjustments required by the late
battle action are performed at this time.
5 – RESOLVE BATTLE STRENGTHS
Once the two final battle strengths are figured,
you simply compare the two numbers. If your
battle strength is equal to or greater than the
battle strength of your opponent, you have won
the battle! Collect your plunder (see GAINING
RESOURCES).
However, if your battle strength is lower than the
battle strength of your opponent, subtract the
difference between the two numbers from your
starship hull points. If your starship hull points
drops to zero or below, your starship has been
crippled and the battle is over (see WAYS THE
GAME CAN END).
Otherwise, subtract one from your opponent’s
force size. If you have reduced your opponent’s
force size to zero, then you have won the battle!
Collect your plunder (see GAINING RESOURCES).
If the battle is not yet over, perform another
battle round using the reduced force size of your
opponent.
GAINING RESOURCES
Throughout your adventure, you will be
collecting resources by being victorious in battle
and performing missions. In both cases, each has
a plunder or compensation level.
Determining the plunder/compensation value is
similar to determining battle strength. Simply
draw another card, and line up this card with
the top card on the discard pile in such a way
that the green level arrows line up next to the
column of gold resource numbers. Reference
the plunder or compensation level and the gold
resource number indicated is the base resource
value. Now, multiply this number with the alien
plunder level or mission compensation level to
determine the amount of resources gained.
In the case of winning a battle, multiply the
amount of resources gained by the force size of
the defeated aliens to obtain your total amount.
If a T comes up, you have discovered, or been
given, exotic tech equal in tech level to the alien
tech level or mission level.
EXOTIC TECH
Defining exotic tech is straightforward. Draw a
card to determine the type of exotic tech found
by looking at the alien section, and another
card to determine in what starship section the
exotic tech can be installed. The tech level of
the discovered exotic tech is determined by the
level of the mission, or tech level of plundered
opponent.
Therefore, exotic tech is typically defined like this:
+2 Radioactive Shielding (Bridge)
This means that if you have this exotic tech
installed on your starship bridge, your effective
tech level is increased by 2 when battling
RADIOACTIVE aliens. Each item of exotic tech
will only be effective against one type of alien.
Your starship can have only item of exotic tech
installed at each location at a time. Exotic tech
not currently installed is kept in your starship
cargo for later use or selling. You do not gain the
bonuses afforded to you by those items.
Be creative in describing the exotic tech once
the alien type it is effective against and
installation location have been defined.
10
MISSIONS
Draw a card and look at the type in the mission
section. Write this down. Each mission type has
different actions as explained below.
Each mission also has a home location which is
the star system you are currently in. Write this
down. The mission level equals the current tech
level of the space port. Write this down as well.
The governing body will offer compensation for
completing a mission. Draw another card and
write down the number shown in the mission
section as the compensation level.
ASSAULT
The governing body of this space port has
declared war upon another star system. You
have been asked to help destroy the rival space
port. Draw a card to determine the target
system. If the target star system does not exist,
create one at least three systems away from
your current location. If the target star system
does not include a settlement, create a space
port with a tech level one less than your current
tech level.
Refusing this mission adds one X to this star
system.
If you accept, when you arrive at the target star
system, assault the settlement as if you were
battling an alien encounter. Consider the
settlement to be an alien with a tech level and
force size equal to the settlements tech level.
Unlike an alien, settlements are not simply
beaten in one fell swoop. After each battle
phase, whether you have taken damage or not,
reduce the settlements tech level and force size
by one. One it has been reduced to zero, erase
it from the universe.
Feel free to pillage the settlement ruins, using its
starting tech level as its plunder level. Upon
returning to the home star system, you may also
collect your compensation.
Check for settlements in neighboring star systems
which match the destroyed settlement. Each
one gains one X.
If you fail, the home star system receives one X
and you receive no compensation.
DEFEND
The space port is under attack. The governing
body asks your help in defense from the
attacking alien. Draw a card and look up the
reference letter for the alien that is attacking. If
this alien does not yet exist, you must create it
now.
You may refuse, but the space port gains one X
and you immediately move to a neighboring
system along any connecting route of your
choice. Also, the space port loses a tech level. If
reduced to zero, the space port is erased from
the universe.
If you accept, perform a battle as normal
against the alien. If successful, you gain
resources from the alien (as if it were a regular
encounter), plus the space port’s compensation
for the mission. You may also erase a single X.
If failed, the space port receives an X and you
receive no compensation.
ELIMINATE
An alien is blocking trade routes in the universe
and you are requested to stop it. Draw a card
and look up the reference letter for your
destination for this mission. If the star system does
not exist, create one at least three systems
distant from your current location. Draw another
card to determine which alien you are to
eliminate at that destination. If the destination
has marauders, then the mission is to eliminate all
marauders in that star system instead.
You may refuse but this adds one X. Also, the
alien reduces any settlement in the destination
star system by one tech level. If reduced to zero,
erase the settle from the universe.
If you accept and the destination star system
does not have a settlement, add one of your
choosing with a tech level one less than your
current tech level. Your goal is to travel to the
destination star system and, after performing the
standard event check and actions, battle the
alien (or marauders) listed for this mission.
If successful, return to the home star system of
this mission, erase all X’s, and claim your
compensation.
If failed, the home space port receives one X
and you receive no compensation.
11
EPIDEMIC
The space port is suffering from an epidemic and
in need of specialized medical supplies. You
must retrieve these supplies and bring them
back to the afflicted space port. Draw a card to
determine the destination star system. If it does
not exist, create one at least three systems away
from your current location.
You may refuse this mission, but the space port
gains one X and loses one from its tech level. If
reduced to zero, erase the settlement from the
universe.
If you accept, go to the destination star system
and pick-up the supplies which will travel in
another ship. This supply ship has hull points
equal to half your starship current total. You may
apply damage to the supply ship instead of your
starship. Every time you do, reduce the mission
compensation level by one. A destroyed supply
ship adds one X to the home destination and
reduces its tech level by one. If reduced to zero,
erase the settlement from the universe. Either
way, you receive no compensation.
If you succeed in delivering the supply ship to
the home destination, you may erase one X and
receive your compensation.
ESCORT
You have been asked to escort a courier ship to
another star system to attend a highly secret
conference. Quite an honor!
You may refuse this mission without penalty.
If you accept, you will need to draw two cards
to determine two destinations (both different
from your current location). The first destination is
the star system the governing body would like
you to escort the courier. The second is a rival
system who would like nothing else than to get
their hands that courier. If one or the other does
not exist, create them at least three systems
distant from your current location. If either
destination does not have a settlement, you
may choose to add either a tech level 1 space
port or colony.
The courier ship you are escorting can take
damage. It begins with half your current starship
hull points. If your starship takes damage during
the mission, you may apply it to the courier ship
instead. Every time you do this, however, your
compensation level decreases by one. If the
courier is destroyed or your starship is crippled
during battle, the mission has failed and the
home space port receives two X’s. The
destination space port receives one X.
If you successfully escort the courier ship, your
mission is complete. Collect your compensation
at the destination and remove one X from both
home and destination space ports.
If you hand over the courier ship to the rival
destination, draw a card and multiply its mission
compensation level by the compensation level
of the mission (a T counts as 10) and collect this
instead. Remove all X’s from the rival space port.
They are most pleased! However, the home
space port is not and receives two X’s.
GUARD
You have been assigned to escort a dangerous
criminal to the prison planet. If the prison planet
does not currently exist, draw a card to
determine its location. If the
destination star system does not
exist, create one at least three
systems away from your current
location. Draw a prison icon in
that star system. (The prison
planet is not a settlement, so you may build a
settlement, or your habitat, in the star system
with the prison.)
At this time, draw another card and compute
this mission’s total compensation value.
You may refuse this mission without penalty.
The villain is of one less level than your current
tech level. Keep track of him on your mission
sheet. On every turn that you are escorting the
villain, you will need to perform a single battle
sequence with him. The villain does not die, but
he can damage your starship. So, if your battle
strength is equal to or greater than him, nothing
happens. Otherwise take damage.
If you successfully deliver the villain to the prison
planet, collect the mission compensation at the
prison star system.
However you may decide to let the villain go. If
you choose to, he will offer you compensation
equal to the mission’s total compensation times
his desperation. To determine the villain’s
12
desperation, subtract the number of star systems
you are away from the prison planet system from
the villain’s level. If his desperation is zero or less,
he will not offer you any compensation.
Releasing the villain, or failing this mission by
having your starship crippled, will add one X to
the home star system. You receive no
compensation.
NEGOTIATE
You have been asked to help negotiate a treaty
between this star system and another system.
Draw a card to determine the destination star
system. If it does not exist, create one at least
three systems away from your current location.
You may refuse this mission without penalty.
If you accept, and when you arrive at the
destination, drawn a card to determine your
negotiation skill as if it were a battle. Do the
same for the settlement tech level you are
negotiating with. If no settlement currently exists,
you may build a free tech level 1 colony or
space port.
If your negotiation value is equal to or higher
than the settlement’s, congratulations, you have
stuck a deal. Return to the home star system and
collect your compensation.
However, if you failed the negotiation, no
damage is done but the destination has
counter-offered. Return to the home star system
and perform the same negotiation check
against the home space port tech level.
Again, if your negotiation value is equal to or
higher than the space port’s value, you have
completed your mission. Otherwise, it’s back to
the destination star system for another
negotiation.
Completing a negotiation removes all X’s from
both star systems.
THE DARK INVADERS (A Variant)
Although ESNA was designed as an open-ended
game to be finished when a player wishes,
sometimes an adversary is desired. The dark
invaders are such an enemy who seek to
conquer your universe.
The dark invaders are revealed when your
habitat is created. Draw a new card and use the
reference letter to determine the star system
where they are first discovered (which cannot
be the same system as your habitat).
Any existing settlement in the
star system drawn is destroyed
as the dark invaders devour
their resources. Draw a symbol
to indicate the dark invaders
home system and write a 0 in
the middle of it to represent their initial control.
Each turn, the dark invaders will raid their
surroundings and attempt to conquer your
universe. When drawing the card for new events,
if the reference letter refers to any star system
that lies adjacent to the dark invaders, then any
settlement in that system is reduced by one level
and the dark invaders’ control is increased by 5.
If the settlement is destroyed then the dark
invaders’ control is increased by 10.
If the reference letter lists the star system of the
dark invaders, then your adversary has
encouraged new marauders. The marauders
may be placed in the star system of the dark
invaders or any adjacent system you desire.
You may not voluntarily assault the dark invaders
but some missions are altered when the dark
invaders are in play, as described below. The
remaining missions are unmodified.
ASSAULT/ELIMINATE MISSIONS
Any mission to assault or eliminate that sends you
to the dark invaders home world is really a
mission to slay the dark invader leader. When
you arrive in the system, create a new alien two
levels higher than yourself. If you lose, you are
dead. If you win, you win the game!
13
ESCORT MISSIONS
Any mission of escort to the dark invaders’ home
world is actually reversed. If you deliver the
courier ship to the dark invaders, the original star
system will be disappointed. The alternate
destination is the real destination.
NEGOTIATE MISSIONS
Any mission to negotiate with the dark invaders
are destined to fail, regardless of the
comparative negotiation values. However, you
must still travel there in the attempt.
WINNING
The first to gain 30 points of either control (for the
dark invaders) or impressiveness (for your
habitat) wins!
CREDITS
ESNA Game Design
Scott Slomiany
Basic Dungeon Inspiration
Cameron Harris
ESNA Nameless Wanderer
Expansion and reformat
Jeff Hammans
Additional ideas by members of the
BoardGameGeek.com website including:
Road Issues – Thom V
Card Corrections – Gergo Tothmihaly
Quest Loot ideas – Donald Cleary
Keep payments – Tinwë and Pedro Barradas
Black Keep concept – Craig Richards
Magic Item creation – John "Omega" Williams
Dungeon Ideas – Enlightened Wookie
Name: Tech Level: 2
Resources:

YOUR STARSHIP
Maximum Hull Points: 60
Current Hull Points:

Damaged Replaced Installed Exotic Tech or effective level of shipyard replacement

Bridge  
Fuselage  
Primary Weapons  
Secondary Weapons  
Main Engines  
Auxiliary Engines  
Cargo:

YOUR BATTLE ACTIONS

Upgrade Used Upgrade Used Upgrade Used

Run Away!  Tactical Advantage

  Assimilate  
Stand Your Ground   Targeting Computer
  Ruse  
Feint   Continuum Vortex
  Full Weapons  
Dodge   Shield Absorption
 
Sweeping Strike  Critical Strike
 
YOUR MISSIONS
Home Star System Level Comp Type Destination Notes Done

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 ALIENS
Tech Plunder Terrain Terrain
Type Name Force Size
Level Rating Bonus Penalty
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T

ALIEN TYPES
Cloaked – If the opponent’s force size is greater than your tech level, you have a battle strength of 0 and
cannot use any battle actions during the first battle round.
Cybernetic – When you win in battle, you halve the opponent’s force size instead.
Ferocious – If this alien damages you in a battle round, you receive additional damage equal to the alien
base battle strength for that round.
Non-corporeal – Non-corporeal aliens will never have a force size greater than your current tech level. DO
NOT add a mark to the alien list if the current force size is equal to your tech level. During the first battle
round, if won, non-corporeal aliens will deal no damage. Beginning with the second battle round, you must
divide your battle strength in half.
Psychic – Battle actions are ineffective against these aliens.
Radioactive – If this alien does damage, multiple that damage by two. The battle then ends and you do not
collect plunder.
Swarming – At the end of each battle round, deduct an additional 1 from the alien force size. HOWEVER, at
the end of the battle, add a mark to the alien force size on the alien list.
Typical – Just your standard alien species.