Galactic Shogun
Galactic Shogun Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Setting Up the Game
When playing for the first time, start by reviewing all of the Role Cards and their win conditions, as well as the Play Cards and their effects. It is important for all players to know what strategies are available to them.
Character Win Conditions
- Galactic Shogun: Wins if all the Play Cards have been played without being revealed by the Laser Katana of Judgement.
- Star Protectorate: Wins if the Galactic Shogun wins.
- Ascendants: Wins if the Laser Katana of Judgement reveals you.
- Space Ninjas: Wins if the Laser Katana of Judgement successfully reveals the Galactic Shogun.
Then shuffle the Role Cards and randomly give one to each player face down - this is their starting hand. Each player should look at their Role Card but keep it a secret face down in front of them. A player may look at their own Role Card at any time.
Role Cards
The deck contains eight Role Cards:
- Galactic Shogun (1 card): "You win if all Play Cards have been played."
- Space Ninja (4 cards): "All ninjas win if the Laser Katana of Judgement successfully reveals the Galactic Shogun."
- Ascendant (1 card): "Only you win if the Laser Katana of Judgement successfully reveals you."
- Star Protectorate (2 cards): "You win if the Galactic Shogun wins."
Number of Role Cards by Player Count
| Number of Players | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galactic Shogun | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Space Ninja | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Ascendant | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Star Protectorate | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Number of Play Cards at 4 Players
| Play Card | Copies |
|---|---|
| Once Upon a Time | 1 |
| Laser Katana of Judgement | 2 |
| Hologram | 1 |
| Vortex Smoke Bomb | 1 |
| Body Swap | 2 |
| X-Ray Vision | 2 |
| Space Armoury | 1 |
| Chimera | 2 |
| Planet of Thieves | 2 |
| Duplicator | 2 |
The Play Card counts for 5 to 8 players are not legible in the source, and are not transcribed here.
How to Play
- The player with the card Once Upon a Time in their starting hand will start the game by playing it.
- In clockwise order, each player must play only one Play Card from their hand and resolve the actions as noted on the card played.
- The game ends either by successfully resolving the Laser Katana of Judgement card or if all cards have been played.
Play Cards
The effects below are the printed text on each Play Card face.
Once Upon a Time
"Play this card first to start the game."
Laser Katana of Judgement
"This card cannot be played until each player has played one card. Choose another player. That player must reveal their card only if they are the Galactic Shogun or the Ascendant."
Hologram
"This card may be played but does nothing. While this card is in your hand, if you are the Galactic Shogun and targeted by the Laser Katana of Judgement, you do not have to reveal your Role Card or this card."
Vortex Smoke Bomb
"All players select one card from their hand and put it in the middle. Shuffle the cards in the middle and randomly distribute one card to each player that put a card in."
Body Swap
"Choose one player; take their Role Card but do not look at it. Without other players knowing you may decide to swap your Role Cards, or return their Role Card back."
X-Ray Vision
"Secretly look at one other player's Role Card."
Space Armoury
"Pick a number less than the number of players remaining. Remaining players give one card of their choice to the player that many spaces to the left. Cards should only be passed to players with cards left."
Chimera
"The Ascendant may reveal their Role Card to join the effect of this card. Choose a total of three players, including any revealed Ascendant, to put their Role Cards face down in a pile. Randomly distribute the cards."
Planet of Thieves
"Each person selects one random card from the person on their left. Cards should only be passed to players with cards left."
Duplicator
"Pick a random Play Card from a player's hand of your choosing. Show everyone and return the card back to the player. Play this Duplicator card as if it were that Play Card."