The United Federation of Planets

“We are explorers. We explore our lives day by day, and we explore the galaxy trying to expand the boundaries of our knowledge. And that is why I am here: not to conquer you with weapons or ideas, but to coexist and learn."
-- Benjamin Sisko

In Star Trek: Ascendancy you command of one of the great civilizations of the Galaxy. Each civilization has a unique play style as befitting their nature. Will you be victorious and achieve Cultural Ascendancy by redeeming Culture Tokens, representing dedication to your civilization’s ideals? Or will your win by establishing Galactic Supremacy, invading and controlling the other players’ Home Systems?

One of the civilizations you may play in the game is the United Federation of Planets. The Federation is committed to scientific exploration and peaceful expansion. These ideals are reflected in Special Rules that apply to the Federation player. The Special Rules appear on a player’s Control Console.

First a Federation player earns bonus Culture Tokens for discovering interstellar phenomena and making First Contact with new civilizations as a result of the Explore Strange New Worlds rule. When the Federation encounters new independent civilizations, they may invite them to join the Federation, allowing the player to take control of these new worlds and develop their resources. The ideals of the Federation prevent them from invading other systems; they must win through diplomacy, as reflected in their second Special Rule, The Prime Directive.

Each faction has a unique Advancement Deck. The Federation’s deck emphasizes their commitment to scientific advancement as well as their resourcefulness. The Federation begins the game with Universal Translators, while a common development for most space-faring races, in the hands of the Federation it is a powerful diplomatic tool, used to convey its values and establish peaceful relations. Other Advancements the Federation could undertake is the establishment of the Cochrane Institute, which will increase the speed of the Federation’s Starships or perfect Class 4 Industrial Replicators, which allows the Federation to develop a vital Production facility when they colonize a new System.

Fleets are powerful formations of Starships; once commissioned, only one Command is needed to move all of the Ships in the Fleet. When a Fleet is formed, all of the ships in Fleet are placed on a Fleet Card and a corresponding Fleet Marker is placed in the System. A Fleet Card has two sides; one side is typically a standard Battle Group formation while the other side is a unique grouping with Special Rules specific to that civilization. The Federation’s Fleets are focused on scientific research, colonization, and diplomacy. A Diplomatic Fleet is small formation; charged with escorting ambassadors and diplomats to prospective Federation members to bolster negotiation attempts.

The Federation is only one of many civilizations in the Galaxy! Next week we’ll take a closer look at the aggressive Klingon Empire.