Star Realms?

[Captain Kirk]

Has anyone else recently fell in love with this gem, Star Realms? It is a fast deck building game that was kickstarted in 2013 and only recently had enough production copies to keep up with demand. It feels like a cross of Dominion and Magic with a space based theme. You play ships that can be played only once (before being discarded) and bases which stick around to protect you. Each player has 50 authority and it is elimination style. It works really great with 2 players but can scale up easily as well. You need one deck for every 2 players.

There are 4 factions (think colors) and you get extra benefits from playing more of the same type of color. I find it to be one of the easiest games to explain to new players due to the straight forward icons and abilities. It has quickly vaulted up the top BGG list and is one of my favorite games now.

Kirk

[LukeChips]

How much is it? Are there any expansions?

[Captain Kirk]

I forgot to mention 2 important things. 1) a 2 player game usually takes 15 min. 2) there is a free app on iOS and Android. You get basic features for free but can pay for upgraded features.

The game costs $15 for a 110 card deck plus score keeping cards. Besides kickstarter promos there are 2 expansions so far:
- Crisis comes in 4 pre-determined "booster packs" with 12 cards each. They retail for $5 ($20 for the whole set).
- Gambit costs $15 but I don't know as much about it.

http://www.starrealms.com

Kirk

[LukeChips]

The core set is cheap! I may look into this game!

[Red Dragon Thorn]

Kirk,

I love this game. Been playing it from the start.

[LukeChips]

Can you buy it at any game store?

[YourMathTeacher]

You need one deck for every 2 players.

This is where I would get hit. I usually play games with 4 or more players, so I would need up to three decks, which brings the cost up to $45. Although this is a typical price for 6-player games, I was originally hopeful when I saw the $15 base cost. 

[Captain Kirk]

You could also look at it as a split cost - someone else in the group could buy a deck.

Kirk

[YourMathTeacher]

Luckily, Cool Stuff here in Florida (coolstuffinc.com) has Star Realms starter decks for $7.99 each through Sunday. Now I can get three decks for under $25. 

[The Schaef]

Love Star Realms.  It's like Ascension, but in space.

And only takes half the time.

And is fun.

[soul seeker]

Hey Schaef,
   Thanks for the comparison game...that helps give me an added idea of what to expect.  I've downloaded the free app but haven't had the free time to try it.