General Principles
Solo & Co-Op Rules: These rules give
players a way to play solo or co-op
against AI controlled enemies.
Multiple Choices: Whenever there are
different choices that seem to be equally
correct, roll a die to randomly determine
which one is going to be the chosen one.
Preparation
The Fleets: To ensure that playing against
the AI is fair, we recommend creating a
set of 3-6 balanced fleets lists, and then
randomly determining which will be used
by the AI and which by the players.
Objectives Set Up: When setting up
objectives first divide the area of the table
where you may place objectives into 6
equal squares. When it’s the AI’s turn to
place an objective first roll for a random
square, and then place the objective in
the center of the square. If that’s not
possible roll for another random square
and move the objective toward it just
enough to be in a valid position, whilst
following the objective set up rules.
AI Deployment: When deploying fleets,
the players must deploy their entire fleets
in a random deployment zone first. Then
AI models are randomly divided into 3
groups of equal size (as far as possible).
To deploy, divide the table into 3 sections
along the AI’s deployment zone table
edge, and number them 1, 2 and 3. For
each group roll a D3 to determine which
section its models deploy in, re-rolling if
all groups would deploy in the same
section. Then deploy one random model
at a time in its section, as close as
possible to the nearest objective, and
outside of difficult and dangerous terrain.
Challenge Bonus: Optionally players may
give the AI a bonus as a challenge. If at
the beginning of a round the AI is holding
as many objectives as the players, then all
its models get +1 to hit rolls until the end
of the round, and if it’s holding less
objectives, then its models get +1 to
toughness rolls on top of that.
AI Decision Trees Decision Tree - Shooting
Model Types: Before the game begins you 1. Is the AI model carrying an objective?
need to classify each model into one of 3
model types so that things flow smoothly • Yes - Go to step 4
once you actually start playing. Note that • No - Go to step 2
squadrons follow the same decision trees 2. Are there any objectives not under the
as ships, but always start at step 2. AI’s control?
Hybrid Models: Models with upgrades
• Yes - Go to step 3
which are geared both for ranged attacks
• No - Go to step 4
and ramming count as hybrid models.
3. If you Move will any enemies be in
Shooting Models: Models with upgrades
shooting range?
which are geared more toward ranged
attacks count as shooting models. • Yes - Move toward the objective and
Ramming Models: Models with upgrades shoot if possible
which are geared more toward ramming • No - Cruise toward the objective
count as ramming models. 4. If you Move will any enemies be in
Decision Tree - Hybrid shooting range?
• Yes - Move toward enemy and shoot
1. Is the AI model carrying an objective?
if possible
• Yes - Go to step 6 • No - Cruise toward enemy
• No - Go to step 2
Decision Tree - Ramming
2. Are there any objectives not under the
AI’s control? 1. Is the AI model carrying an objective?
• Yes - Go to step 4
• Yes - Go to step 3
• No - Go to step 6 • No - Go to step 2
3. Are there any enemies in the way? 2. Are there any objectives not under the
AI’s control?
• Yes - Ram the enemy if possible, else
Move toward the objective and shoot • Yes - Go to step 3
if possible, else Cruise toward the • No - Go to step 4
objective instead
3. Are there any enemies in the way?
• No - Go to step 4
• Yes - Ram enemy if possible, else
4. Is the objective in Cruise range but not
Cruise toward the objective
in Move range?
• No - Cruise toward the objective
• Yes - Cruise toward the objective
4. Are any enemies in ramming range?
• No - Go to step 5
• Yes - Ram enemy
5. If you Move will any enemies be in
• No - Cruise toward enemy
shooting range?
• Yes - Move toward the objective and
shoot if possible
• No - Cruise toward the objective
6. Are any enemies in ramming range?
• Yes - Ram enemy
• No - Go to step 7
7. If you Move will any enemies be in
shooting range?
• Yes - Move toward enemy and shoot
if possible
• No - Cruise toward enemy
Basic Concepts
Activation Order: Before starting, divide
the table into 3 different sections along
the AI’s deployment zone edge, and
number them 1, 2 and 3. When it’s the
AI’s turn to activate a model, first roll a
D3 to see which section it will activate a
model in. If there are no eligible models
in that section, move onto the next
section with an eligible model, going
clockwise. Then roll a die to randomly
determine which model from that section
is activated.
Enemies in the way: When the AI models
activate, draw a path between them and
their objective. Enemy models within 6”
of the path count as being in the way
(only if they are in the same direction as
the objective).
Controlling Objectives: When making AI
decisions, objectives count as under the
AI’s control if the AI already seized them,
or if they’re objectives that the model is
not within 6” of and that another friendly
ship is within 6” of already. When AI
models move to seize objectives, they
must be placed so that they are then
headed as close as possible to their next
objective or target.
Overlapping: AI models must always try
to turn in such a way that they don’t end
their movement overlapping other ships,
unless their upgrades that are geared
toward overlapping ships.
Shooting: AI models must always shoot at
the nearest valid target of same type,
prioritizing targets that haven’t activated
yet. If no target of the same type is
available, then they must shoot at the
next smallest target, or cycle back up to
the biggest if no squadrons are available.
If the nearest valid target is in cover but
there is another one in the open, the AI
must prioritize shooting at the target that
is in the open.
Ramming: AI models must always charge
the nearest enemy model of a smaller
type, prioritizing targets that haven’t
activated yet. If no target of a smaller type
is available, then they must ram a target
of same type, or else the next biggest
target available.
Terrain Weapons
Cover Terrain: AI models always move High Attack Weapons: AI models with
into or behind cover terrain, unless it is weapons that have 3 or more attacks
also difficult terrain, and they are moving always target valid enemies with the
to an objective. Shooting and Hybrid AI highest evasion value first.
models that are not moving to an
High Strength Weapons: AI models with
objective must always stay in cover and
hold position to shoot. weapons that have strength 2 or more
always target valid enemies with the
Difficult Terrain: AI models only ever highest toughness value first.
move into difficult terrain if an objective
Anti-Ship: AI models with anti-ship
is inside of it, if they are in charge range
weapons always move so that they can
of a model inside of it, or if they have a
target enemy ships.
special rule that ignores its effects. Else
they must always move around it. Anti-Squadron: AI models with anti-ship
weapons always move so that they can
Dangerous Terrain: AI models only ever
target enemy squadrons.
move into dangerous terrain if an
objective is inside of it, or if they have a Blast: AI models with blast weapons
special rule that ignores its effects. Else always target models that will cause most
they must always move around it. enemy models within 4” to be hit first.
Special Rules Broadside: AI models with broadside
weapons always move so that they can
Using Special Rules: AI models must
target enemy models in both side facings.
always use any special rules as soon as
they are activated, targeting the nearest Deadly: AI models with deadly weapons
valid model that makes sense. Note that always target the enemy model with the
this includes special rules from heroes, largest type first.
titles, and upgrades.
Sniper: AI models with Sniper assign
Tactical Master: AI ships with Tactical damage to one random upgrade, unless
Master are always kept in reserve, and there is already a damaged upgrade.
must deploy following the AI deployment
Twin-Fire: AI models with twin-fire
rules at the start of the second round.
weapons always move so that they can
Ace Carrier: AI ships with Ace Carrier target multiple enemy models.
will always keep as many random
squadrons as upgrades in reserve, and
must deploy all squadrons as close as
possible to the nearest objective at the
start of the second round.
Expert Sapper: AI ships with Expert
Sapper must always place a mine marker
as close as possible to the nearest enemy
model when activated.
Rogue: AI squadrons with Rogue always
skip activating during the squadrons
phase, and activate in a random phase.