Basic Set
This is the basis of all of the SFB products, except for the brief Cadet Training Handbook. It has the core rules for all ships, and covers the seven original races: Federation, Klingons, Romulans, Gorn, Orions, Tholians, Kzinti. The core rules are 224 pages. Besides the rules, the Basic Set includes a 64-page book of ship displays ("SSD's"), a 24''x20'' full-color playing map, two 6-sided dice, and two sheets of thick cardboard counters (216 total). This is all you need to get started.
If you are new to the game, then please check out the introduction to SFB available at this site. If you are familiar with SFB, but have never owned a set or the current edition, then read on.
With a 224 page rulesbook, the "Basic" Set is something of a misnomer. The rules include coverage of many advanced rules, such as commander's electronic warfare and fighters (including deck crews and EW pods). The rules are organized for cross-reference, so many of the rules in the Basic Set contain references to rules found in other products. This makes the rules more integrated in the case of expansion. If you are playing with only the Basic Set, though, you will find many rules "padded" out with coverage of special cases that never come up.
The rules have a good table of contents and index, and are divided into sections on Movement, Combat, and other topics (see the table of contents on this site). Within each section the organization is sometimes arcane, but there are many cross-references and a good index.
It is hard to rate this without an overall review of the game. This book is the heart of SFB, and is needed for all supplements. It has some faults, but the game itself is very good.
($29.95 Complete)
($20.00 Rulebook only, $10.00 SSD Book only)
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John H. Kim <jhkim@fnal.gov> Last modified: Tue Aug 3 15:44:04 CDT 1999
Star Fleet Battles, SFB, Federation & Empire, Star Fleet Missions, Prime Directive, and all contents thereof are copyright (C) 1990 by Amarillo Design Bureau. Second Edition copyright (c) 1994 by Amarillo Design Bureau. These games were produced under license from Franz Joseph Designs, authors of the STAR FLEET TECHNICAL MANUAL. Elements of the Star Fleet Universe are the property of Paramount Pictures Corporation and are used with their permission.
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