Each player has a number of markers, one of which is played each turn.
The markers can be one of three types: a number (1-10), a doubling marker
or a black hole. Some scope for bluffing is provided by the markers being
placed face down on the large stars but face up on the small ones. Once
a board is filled, and you can play to any board in circulation, scoring
takes place. The winner receives a score equal to the number of stars in
the constellation and the runner-up approximately two less (both numbers
being printed on the board).Other players with markers on the same board
gain a point for each one present which is paid out of the winner's earnings.
This is a quirky rule which can mean, especially on the larger constellations,
that it is more profitable to be second rather than first. As for the markers
themselves, the numbers are counted normally but may be increased in value
by an adjacent doubling marker of any colour. The black hole is the most
powerful marker, causing the loss of every adjacent piece unless another
is also a black hole in which case mutual annihilation occurs. Once a board
is completed the next is turned over and all twelve take about forty minutes
irrespective of the number of players.
So what's the attraction? Well it looks great, there is plenty of player
interaction and it does reward devious play with those lurking black holes.
As is usual with multi-player abstract games you retain most control with
the least number of participants (in this case, 3). The 5 player version
is still enjoyable but you need to be more in line with the main focus
of activity and there is usually less room for manoeuvre.
Winning tips? 1. Keep your options open. 2. Decide between playing every
board or monopolising a few. 3. Place at least one hidden marker on the
majority of boards: it helps to disguise your intentions and also reveals
fewer of your markers. 4. Bear in mind the potential drawback of winning
on large constellations. 5. Remember that you recover all your markers
from a completed board and it may pay to make a nondescript move to allow
this. One rule which escaped me on the first few playings is that the black
holes are not removed with their victims but remain to break ties if needed.
In summary, highly recommended if you have an interest in beautifully produced, intriguing abstract games.
(Ref: Mapping of the Constellations pp196-201 in ``The New Atlas of the Universe'' Patrick Moore 1988 Mitchell Beazley.)
Steve Owen
(SWD: There is a rule error in Steve's fourth sentence and I couldn't
think of a way to correct it without destroying the structure of the sentence.
Hence this footnote. The number of boards in play at any one time is equal
to the number of players. Presumably Steve's first game was with three players
and they omitted to go back to the rules when they subsequently tried it with
more. Been there; done that!)