Robotech: Attack on the SDF-1

Robotech: Attack on the SDF-1 Rulebook

Table of Contents

Game Objective

You play heroic characters of the venerable Super Dimension Fortress One, also known as the SDF-1. Players are thrown on a chaotic path as alien forces, known as the Zentraedi, attack without warning. You must defend the SDF-1 against continuous waves of Zentraedi attacks, unexpected disasters, and treachery. As a hero, you will be forced to battle vicious enemies, repair damage, and manage resources. Tough decisions and sacrifices will be required for you to reach home safely.

Winning the Game

If the Heroes can keep the SDF-1 from exploding or from being captured by the Zentraedi, and make it to the end of the Scenario, you win. Beware, there are many ways to lose, and the Zentraedi will not give up.

Losing the Game

There are several scenarios in which you can lose the game:

If the SDF-1 Bridge Area takes any damage.
If the SDF1's Reactors shut down.
If Macross City's population drops below 3.
If 4 or more of the Heroes go MIA.

Use all of your wit and resources to ensure that the SDF-1 reaches Earth safely and fights off the Zentraedi attackers.

Game Components

1 Game Board
1 SDF-1 in Cruiser Mode Board
1 SDF-1 in Battle Mode Model
1 SDF-1 Danger Board
1 Robotech Rulebook
1 Robotech Scenario Book
14 Action Dice
1 Z- Attack Invasion Deck (34 cards)
1 Z-Attack Orders Deck (10 cards)
1 SDF-1 Resources Deck (36 cards)
1 SDF-1 Crew Orders Deck (32 cards)
1 SDF-1 Mecha Orders Deck (32 cards)
6 Hero Boards
6 Hero Stand-Ups
40 Red Damage Cubes
5 Black Permanent Damage Cubes
15 Ability / Research Tokens
10 Evade / Jam Tokens
15 Gun Down / Salvage
10 +1 Tokens / Used Tokens
3 Scout Tokens / Pinpoint Barrier Token
1 Population Marker
1 Science Marker
1 Production Marker
1 Gunner Marker
15 Veritech Tokens
10 Super Veritech Tokens
15 Destroid Tokens

Key Game Concepts and Terms

Abilities: Each Hero has 2 unique Abilities. Abilities can be used at any time, as long as you have Ability Points - AP available to spend. Each Hero Ability can only be used once per turn.
Ability Points - AP: Ability Points form a pool and are used to activate Hero abilities.
Action Dice: Dice rolled by Players to determine the Hero's Actions. Action Dice outcomes are: Hit, Move, Instinct, and Ability.
Action Squares: These are the squares that are found in each SDF-1 Area. Once per Hero turn, they can be activated to gain an effect. See page xxx.
Active: Active describes an effect that persists over the Episode or until resolved. When an Active card come into play, place it off the side of the game board where indicated. Active Veritechs and Destroids are transferred and launched. Veritechs in the Hanger Square are not active.
Annihilated: When a Zentraedi Vessel takes two times its damage capacity, it becomes annihilated. Annihilated vessels are immediately removed from the board and do not get to return fire in the Zentraedi Orders Phase.
Assisting: Each Hero can assist another specific hero, as listed on each Hero board. To do this, one Action Dice result, after rolling, is transferred to the proper hero.
Areas: The board is divided into Areas: Inner Space Areas, Outer Space Areas, and SDF-1 Areas. Space Areas are labeled A1 - A6. SDF-1 Areas are labeled with a Station Name (Production, Science, Launch Bay, Macross City, Forward and Aft Reactors, Bridge). These Areas are where all game pieces are placed and where movement occurs.
Capital Ships: Zentraedi Cruisers and Flagship are considered Capital Ships.

Robotech Game Board

The Robotech game board is broken into play areas, spaces to place card decks, dice, and Tokens.

The SDF-1 Cruiser Board: The Cruiser Board sits in the center of the game board. After placement, all the Inner and Outer Areas of the rings should be visible, with the Cruiser Board in the center.
Inner and Outer Rings: Each Outer Area is marked with the letter A and a number. These numbers ascend in a counterclockwise manner. The Inner Areas share the same number as Outer. Vessels or Mecha can be placed in either Inner or Outer Areas, based on the associated number.
Card Spaces: There is a specific place for each card deck to be set, along with any discarded cards.
MIA: The MIA space is where Hero standups are placed when if one becomes knocked out during a game.
Resource Tracker: The Resource Tracker is where sacrificed dice are allocated and are used to activate Resource Cards.
Ability Points: The RDF symbol is where Ability Points are placed.
Research Points: The Beaker symbol is where Research Points are placed.
Tech Spaces: This indicates where to place purchased Tech Cards so they are easily tracked during the game.
Event Spaces: This indicates where to place Active Cards so they are easily tracked throughout the Episodes they are relevant.

SDF-1 Cruiser Board

The Cruiser Board sits in the center of the Game Board. The Cruiser Board dictates the position of the SDF-1 as it rotates on the Game Board. It is also where most of the Heroes are placed, and where damaged Guns are tracked. Newly constructed Mecha, Veritechs in the Hanger, and active Destroids are all placed on the Cruiser Board. The Cruiser board is broken into 7 Areas: Science, Forward Reactor, Rear Reactor, Launch Bay, Macross City, Production, and the Bridge.

The Cruiser Board also contains the 'Action Squares'. These are the named squares in each Area that can be enacted once per Hero turn. See more on Action Square on page xxx.

Each SDF-1 Area gains the associated Area number as it turns. This means that during one Episode of play Science could be associated with A1 and after the SDF-1 turns, Macross City could be associated with A1.

SDF-1 Danger Board

The SDF-1 Danger Board does 3 things:

Tracks Population: There are 2 types of Population: Macross City and Crew. Macross City indicates the total population on the SDF-1. Crew population comes from Macross City. Use the Macross City Marker to indicate the current Episode to Episode Population. This number can be distributed into Science, Production, Launch Bay, and Gunner populations.
Tracks Damage: As the SDF-1 takes damage, this damage is recorded using damage markers and placed into the SDF-1 Areas on the Danger Board. Damage is always recorded from the right to the left on the population trackers.
Tracks Reflex Cannon Heat: The Reflex Cannon can overheat when it fires. Track the heat as the Reflex Cannon is fired and cools.

Hero Boards

Hero Boards are the SDF-1 Characters that Players can choose to play. Hero Boards have the following attributes: [draft note printed in the rulebook: "Reminder that every hero has 1 free move?"]

Name: Hero's Name.
Rank: Used to determine Player turn order. A to F in order.
Orders: These are the responsibilities of each Hero and determine which SDF-1 functions, Tokens, or NPC (Veritech, Production, Science, and Gunners) they directly control. Also contains the Hero's starting location.
Abilities: A Hero's Ability can be executed at any time during the Episode as long as the correct amount of Ability Points are spent - as indicated by the [icon]. Each Ability can only be used once per turn.
Actions: Each Hero has a unique set of Actions that can be used when rolling the Action Dice.
- Unique Movement: Each Hero has a unique movement value that is gained with a Move result is spent to gain extra movement.
Health: Each Hero has 3 health. When a Hero takes 3 wounds they are considered MIA and must remain there for a complete Episode.
Upgrade: Every Hero has an upgraded option. The Upgrade is a more powerful form of the Hero and is always a better option over the non-upgraded version. Rewards, Resource Cards, and Episode Situations can upgrade or downgrade Heroes.

Card Decks

Robotech: Attack on SDF-1 has five card decks.

Z-Attack Invasion Cards: Invasion Cards are used to place the SDF-1 in danger. Invasion cards are drawn and played based on a number specified by each Episode. Invasion Cards describe the number of Zentraedi Vessels to place on the board and negative effects that come into play.
Z-Attack Orders Cards: These cards are the AI of Zentraedi Vessels. They describe how the Zentraedi Vessels move and attack.
SDF-1 Resource Cards: Resource Cards are beneficial cards that can be employed any time by the SDF-1's Heroes. Some of these cards require spending Research Points or dice donated to the Resource Tracker. Additional Resource Cards are gained as rewards or from the Training Center Square.
SDF-1 Crew Orders Cards: The SDF-1 has a full crew compliment. Each turn, depending on how your population is set, you draw Crew Cards. Crew Cards help repair or maintain the SDF-1. They can also help destroy enemy vessels.
SDF-1 Mecha Orders Cards: Some Heroes have the ability to Order Mecha. These cards describe the options available to utilize Mecha. These cards also describe Scouting options.

Card Types: There are three different card types in the SDF-1 Resources and Z-Assault Invasion Decks.

Event: These cards are activated and resolved immediately. Once resolved, discard it.
Active: These cards continue throughout the Episode and some continue through different Episodes. Track these cards off the side of the Game Board until they resolve, then discard them.
Tech: Once a Tech card is brought into play, it remains there permanently. These cards provide a continuous benefit, or one that can be activated once per Episode.

Action Dice

Action Dice are red in color with white ink. These are the dice the you use to active your Hero's general actions. There are four possible results when you roll an action die. These tend to be different from Hero to Hero. You can find what each result does for your Hero on her board.

Target (x2): Targets represent your Hero's most standard function. The result tends to be simple and generally effective.
Move (x2): A Move result allows a hero to move spaces based on the value indicated on the Hero Board. This movement is in addition to your Hero's free move. It can also be used to activate an Action Square. A move result represents an auxiliary your Hero can perform.
Instinct (x1): An Instinct is a special action your hero has, as its result is rare. Usually you can do something very powerful with this result. If you choose to not use this result as an Instinct, the result can be changed to a Target.
Ability (x1): When the Ability result occurs you have 3 choices, you can choose to add one Ability Point to the AP Pool, use the Ability result immediately, or can choose to reroll the result.

Ability Points - AP

Ability Points are used by the SDF-1's Heroes to activate their unique Abilities. They can be spent at any time, even in other Heroes' turns. To use an Ability, either spend the appropriate amount from your rolled Action Dice, or pull from the Ability Pool.

Ability Points can be spent in the following ways:

Activate a Hero Ability at any time, once per turn.
1 AP can be spent to reroll 1 Action Die. [draft note printed in the rulebook: "I think I want to get rid of this.... For simplicity..."]

Research Points - RP

Research Points are used by the SDF-1's Heroes to help purchase new and improved technology and unlocks. They can be spent at any time, but Story Unlocks are only available during the current Episode.

Tokens and Markers

Robotech: Attack on SDF-1 uses lots of different kinds of Tokens to play and help track the game. Here is a list of the Tokens and how they are used.

+1 / Used Token: +1 Tokens are used as visual markers to remind you about a benefit or action that is occurring. Use them to mark bonus crew population or ships that are taking additional effect. They can also be used generically as a reminder that something has or needs to occur. The Used Token is a visual marker reminding you that something has been used. Place the Used Tokens next to Veritechs that have been moved or Action Squares that have been activated.
Gun Down / Salvage Token: Use the Gun Down side to mark on the SDF-1 Cruiser Board the Rail Guns or Beam Cannons that are destroyed. While this damage will be marker on the SDF-1 Danger Board, the Token serves as a visual reminder to the other players that the Gun cannot be used. Salvage Tokens are placed in Areas where RDF Mecha may be destroyed. The Salvage Token allows the destroyed Mecha to be Placed in the Construction Square as soon as it is destroyed.
Evade / Jam Token: Evade works in two ways, it allows RDF Mecha to negate 1 damage inflicted upon them, or the Captain can use an evade Token to negate all Barrage damage from one Zentraedi Capital Ship. Place the Token on the Captain's Board or in the Area where the Veritechs are as a reminder. The Jam Token is used to mark Zentraedi Vessels that are Jammed. Place the Jam Token on the Jammed Vessels as a reminder.
Ability Point / Research Point: This Token has Ability on one side and Research on the other. See above.
Scout Tokens / Pin Point Barrier: The First Officer places Scout Tokens in Areas where the Heroes need support. See page xxx on Scouting. The Pinpoint Barrier Token is an SDF-1 Tech upgrade that can be used once per Episode. The Token serves as a reminder the benefit has been used.
RDF Mecha Tokens: This refers to Veritech, Super Veritech, and Destroid Tokens. On one side is the Active state of the Mecha and the other is used when under construction. After the Mecha is constructed, flip the Token and transfer the Mecha to its destination.
Zentraedi Vessel Tokens: This refers to Pods, Cruisers, and Flagships. One side of the Tokens shows the Vessel as undamaged, while the other depicts the Vessel in a destroyed state. Flip the Token when the Vessel becomes destroyed.

Story Mode

Robotech: Attack on SDF-1, allows you to take a journey based on the adventures found in the Robotech Television Series. The three scenarios included with the game each contain 5 Episodes. Each Episode is a turn where you get relive the events from the series. Fight Zentraedi, get captured, go on scouting missions, uncover new technology, and dogfight with Pods.

Scenario Mode Setup

Each scenario mode has different rules for setup and are described in the opening page for each specific Scenario. The following is the setup for the first Scenario: "From Pluto with Love".

Decide Level of Difficulty
- Easy: 4 Action Dice.
- Normal: 3 Action Dice.
- Hard: 2 Action Dice.
Remove all the "x" cards from the Z-Attack Invasion Deck.
Place the Game Board on the table and the SDF-1 Danger Board nearby.
On the SDF-1 Danger Board, set you Macross City population to 5 with the Population Token.
Place the SDF-1 Cruiser Mode Board in the middle of the game board with Forward Reactors and Science facing A1 and A6.
Shuffle the Z- Attack Invasion Cards and remove the top 15 cards. Add to those 15 cards the "Minmei's Drama" and "Khyron's Fury" Invasion Cards. Shuffle the 17 cards together and place them on the Invasion Card deck, the place the entire deck on the Game Board.
Give each Hero 2 SDF-1 Resource Cards.
Shuffle the rest of the card decks and place them on the Game Board.
Place 3 Ability Points on the board in the Ability Point pool area. Place 4 Veritech Tokens in the Launch Square of the Launch Bay Area. Distribute 3 Destroid Tokens in any SDF-1 Areas. Place 1 Veritech in a random Inner Area.
- Only 1 Destroid or Veritech can ever be placed in the Bridge at a time.
Players choose from the initial 6 Starting Heroes:
- Captain - Henry Gloval

Sequence of Play / Playing an Episode

Activate Resource Cards: At any time during a turn, your held Resource cards can be used or purchased. To activate these cards, RP and dice allocated to the Tracker must be spent.

1. Play Story Episode

Read the Overview: Each Episode has a general overview of what is happening each turn. Be sure to read it out loud so all players can hear it.
Play the Situation: Each Episode has two Situations. Situations comprise of both good and bad things for the SDF-1 and her crew. Read the instructions and apply the situation for better or worse.
Review and Setup Objectives: Each Episode has two objectives that may be met. Completing Objectives is optional, but many come with added Zentraedi Vessels or factors which affect the SDF-1; be sure to play these aspects of the Objectives. Review the Objectives to know the rewards you get for completing them.
Draw & Play Z-Attack Invasion Cards: Each Episode describes how many Invasion Cards are played. Draw the proper number indicated. Next, one card at a time, apply each one's effect and place Zentraedi Vessels as described.

2. Upkeep

Set Population: Determine your current Macross City population. Then for every population point available, you can place 1 Set Token on Production, Science, Launch Bay, and / or Gunners.
- Gunners automatically gain +1 population for every 2 Macross City Population you have. If Macross City has a population of 5, then you get 2 free Gunners. You may spend additional population to increase Gunners above automatic base.
Example: If you have an available population of 6, then you could place two tokens on Production and Science, one on Launch Bay and one additional on Gunners.
Transfer Mecha: Move Veritechs and Destroids that are under construction. Veritechs must be deployed to the Hanger Square in the Launch Bay. Destroids can be activated to any SDF-1 Area. Only one Mecha can ever be in the Bridge at a time.
Replace Your Hero: You may choose to play another available Hero during this time. After the first turn of a Scenario, you may choose to exchange your currently played Hero for another. Only four Heroes can ever be played at a time. Remember to verify the Duties of your new Hero, and be aware of the Duties lost when giving up your previous Hero. You may end up with Heroes that do not match the Duties you need to execute for the turn. When a Hero is replaced, take his standup off the game board and place the new one in her starting location. Even though replaced Heroes are not on the board, they will still retain any damage they have sustained.

3. Order Crew

Hero Orders: Each Hero Orders a certain population of the SDF-1. Review your Hero to see which population you have control over. Hero Orders occur in the same sequence as Hero Turns do. If a Hero is MIA or has been exchanged, then you may miss out on some Orders.
- A: Science - The Captain: The Captain Orders Science. For each population point allocated to Science, the Captain may draw one SDF-1 Crew Orders Card. Read from the listed results under the "Science" section of the Crew Card. Choose ONE option from the Science section to apply.
- B: Gunners - The First Officer: The First Officer Orders Gunners. For each population point allocated to Gunners, the First Officer may draw one SDF-1 Crew Orders Card. Read from the list of results under the "Gunner" section of the Crew Card. Choose ONE option from the Gunner section to apply. Remember, that for every 2 points of population in Macross City you get one free Gunner.
- C: Production - Operations: Operations Orders Production. For each population point allocated to Production, Operations may draw one SDF-1 Crew Orders Card. Draw as many Crew Cards as you have Production. Read from the list of results under the "Production" section of the Crew Card. Choose ONE option from the Production section to apply.
- D: Launch Bay - Any Hero: For each point of population allocated to Launch Bay, 1 Veritech is launched. When launched, a Veritech is moved from the Hanger square into the Launch Bay SDF-1 Area. Once launched, the Veritech is ready to receive Orders. Any Hero may launch the Veritechs.

4. Play Heroes & Order Mecha

Turn Order: Heroes take turns in order of rank from A to F, with A going first.
Roll Action Dice: When your turn comes up, before anything else, roll your Action Dice and evaluate the results.
Play Dice Results: Review your results and decide how to use each die result. You also get one free move each turn to move your Hero. You may use this free move at any time during your turn. Based on your action dice results, take action that best support your team and the SDF-1.
Moving: Each Hero gains 1 point of free movement that can be used anytime during your turn. If you want your Hero to move further, you may spend a Move result on an Action Die to gain the movement listed.

Example: Claudia wants to move further so she spends a Move result and can move +2 spaces.
Assisting: A Hero may only Assist another if it fall under her Auxiliary Orders. Read your Hero Board to determine who can be assisted. Once you determine who you can assist, you may provide that Hero with one of your rolled die results. Only 1 die can be given each Episode through assisting.
Resource Tracker: To complete or activate some Resource Cards, you must sacrifice dice to the Resource Tracker on the Game Board. Once dice have been placed on the Tracker, they may be spent at any time to activate Resource Cards. To spend an allocated die, just declare that you are using the die to activate a card and remove the die from the Tracker
Action Squares: Each Hero may utilize the benefit of each Action Square one time an Episode. There is one Action Square in each SDF-1 Area, except for the Bridge. You may sacrifice one point of movement, including your free move to gain the benefit from the Square. Each Hero may only activate each Square one time during an Episode.

5. Z-Assault Orders

Compulsory Action: Draw one Z-Assualt Orders Card for the Episode. This one card will instruct you how Zentraedi Vessels move and attack. There are eight distinct actions that dictate how Zentraedi Vessels operate.
- Advance - Pods: Pods move toward the SDF-1, inward one space per instance.
- Attack - Pods: Pods cause 1 damage to the Area they are in. Mecha re targeted first, then the SDF-1.
- Barrage - Capital Ships: The ships inflict 1 damage to the SDF-1 per instance.
- Defend - Capital Ships: The ships inflict 1 damage to Veritechs in the same Area per instance.
- Disengage - Pods: Pods disengage from RDF Mecha and are free to Advance or Rotate.
- Pod Launch - Flagships: Flagships add additional Pods to the Area it resides in.
- Ram - Cruisers: Cruisers that Ram, move into an Inner Area and inflict damage to the SDF-1. When Ramming occurs, all armor in the SDF-1 affected loses all armor and takes 1 structure damage. This damage cannot be spread out when the SDF-1 is in Battle Mode.
- Rotate - All Vessels: The Vessel swings clockwise or counterclockwise to adjacent Areas one space per instance.
Vessel Symbols: Each type of Zentraedi Vessel has a related symbol. The symbol lets you know how to move specific Zentraedi Vessels. Draw the Vessels randomly from the Zentraedi Vessel Bag and place them on the board. This helps create more balanced play as some of the Orders are powerful.

6. Clean Up

Finish Story Elements: Be sure to have gone through and checked that you have completed this turn's story Episode.
Remove Destroyed Vessels: Remove any remaining destroyed Zentraedi vessels that still may be on the board.
Remove Markers: Jam, Evade, or "+1" Tokens being used to mark a benefit need to be removed from the board as well, unless otherwise noted.

Example of a Typical Player Turn

Roll Action Dice: Before anything else, roll 3 Action Dice and inspect your results.
Use Your Action Dice: Decide how to use the Action Dice results, possible outcomes are:
- Target: A Target can be used to cause damage to Zentraedi Vessels or repair the SDF-1 depending on what Hero you are playing.
- Move: This can be used to move a number of spaces equal to the value listed, use an Action, or activate an Action Square.
- Instinct: This can be used for a unique Character trait. It allows for a wide range of effects that include massive damage, firing special weapons, mecha construction, or science based effects.
- Ability: This allows you to either add 1 Ability Point to the AP Pool, or reroll the Action Die. If you reroll, you must accept the result.
Activate Abilities: You can choose to activate any of your Abilities by spending Ability Points from the Pool.
Assist: You can choose to give another Hero one Action Die result as long as the Hero you are sending the Action Die to is listed under your Hero's Auxiliary Orders.
Free Move: All Heroes gain one Free Move during their turn.
Allocate Resources: You may choose to place any or all Action Dice on the Resource Tracker until it is filled. Dice may not be allocated to occupied spaces on the Tracker.

Example: The Hero "Operations - Claudia Grant" rolls Target, Move, and Instinct. She is in Production, and uses the Instinct result to Construct 2 Veritechs while there. Next, she uses her Move result to repair 2 armor and chooses to place her Target result on the Resource Tracker to help activate SDF-1 Resource Cards. Then, she uses her free move to move to activate the Construction Square in Production and she constructs one Veritech. She also chooses to spend one Ability point to activate her "Fix Anything" Ability and repair two armor in the Launch Bay.

Heroes

Orders: Each Hero is given duties and generally these duties are unique to each Hero. Duties include overseeing SDF-1 crew, operating SDF-1 systems, or piloting Veritechs.

Auxiliary Orders: Each Hero has a defined starting area. This is the Area she starts in at the beginning of the game or where she comes in to replace another Hero. This also describes which Hero your Hero may Assist.
Abilities: Hero Abilities represent special actions that the Hero can perform. Even Heroes with the same position will have different Abilities. Abilities are activated when Ability Points are spent. Abilities can be activated at any time, even during other Heroes' turns.
Actions: Actions make the core capabilities of the Hero. Abilities are primarily defined by position, but each Hero has unique twists. Be sure to review the differences in Heroes when choosing during the Upkeep Phase.
Replacing: You or any player can choose to exchange his Hero for another available one. The choice must be made during Upkeep. When a Hero comes into the game, place her on her starting area, as described in her Auxiliary Orders. When a Hero is replaced, remove her Token from the game board, but be sure to keep any damage sustained with her. However, any damage a Hero sustains, remains on that Hero.
Upgrade: Robotech: Attack on SDF-1 has 6 Heroes, each has an upgrade state. As the Heroes adventure in Story Mode, upgrades unlock; some temporary and some are permanent. Damage follows the Hero, even after upgrading; remember to keep Damage Tokens on wounded Heroes.
Healing: Heroes do not heal or remove damage automatically. There are several ways in which a Hero can be healed:

The SDF-1

Areas: The SDF-1 is comprised of seven areas, each with a unique purpose and consequence for taking damage:
- Forward Reactor & Aft Reactor - Green: Located on the Port and Starboard sides of the ship respectively, the Reactors are what power the SDF-1. If they take too much damage the SDF-1's power systems will go offline and she will be defenseless.
  - Action Square - Reflex Furnace: Cool the Reflex Cannon by 2 points.
  - Action Square - Training Center: Gain one SDF-1 Resource Card.
- Science - Blue: Science helps the SDF-1 gain research, heal Heroes, jam Zentraedi vessels, and cool the reflex cannon. As Science becomes damaged, it will be unable to support the SDF-1 with these benefits.
  - Action Square - Lab: Gain one Research Point.
- Macross City - Orange: Macross City supplies the SDF-1 with labor and military force. As it becomes damaged, SDF-1's crew will deplete.
  - Action Square - Hospital: Heal one damage.
- Production - Purple: Production is where RDF mecha are constructed, and where engineers are supplied. If Production becomes heavily damaged, the SDF-1 will not be able to repair itself or build more mecha.
  - Action Square - Construction: Construct one Mecha.
- Launch Bay - Yellow: The Launch Bay is where Veritechs take off from. If the Launch Bay becomes heavily damaged, Veritech may not be able to vanguard against enemy vessels.

Veritech & Destroid Mecha

Hero Veritechs: Any Hero listed with "Pilot Veritech" under his Orders, is considered to pilot a Veritech. He is considered to be in his Veritech at all times, including moving through SDF-1 Areas. The only Heroes that can move into space areas, are those with Veritechs.
Non-Hero Mecha: Non-Hero Veritechs are Ordered by the Wing Leader, Captain, Ace Pilot, and Stunt Pilot. The more of these Heroes that are being played, the more Veritechs that can be Ordered.

Both Heroes piloting Veritechs and Non-Hero Veritechs count as Veritechs. If a rule applies to Veritechs it applied to both Hero and Non-Hero types. Otherwise, the rule will specifically state Hero or Non-Hero units are affected.

All Destroids are considered to be non-Hero and are only Ordered by Operations.
Transfer & Launch: Hero Veritechs never need to transfer or launch, but non-Hero Veritechs do both. After a Veritech has been constructed, in your next Upkeep, move all Constructed Veritechs to the "Launch Square" in the Launch Bay area. A total number of Veritechs, as set by the Launch Bay population will launch. Once Veritech have been launched, they never need to launched again.

Be sure to keep un-launched Veritech on the Launch Square.

Destroids never need to be launched, and may be placed into any SDF-1 Area when transferring.
Moving and Attacking: Veritechs may move into Space Areas after Launching. Destroids must always remain in SDF-1 Areas. Mecha move and attack via Orders. Each Order Card has one or two options that describe how the Mecha operates. Reveal one Order card at a time. Choose one Order (if two are present, some cards only have one Order) and use the order to move and inflict damage with one Mecha. Once a Mecha has inflicted damage, it may not continue moving. An Ordered Mecha does not have to move the complete distance indicated on the card.

A Hero applies one Mecha Order Card per Mecha. If the Hero can Order 4 Mecha and only 2 are active, then you may only draw 2 Mecha Orders Cards. The same Mecha may be ordered by two different Heroes, but a Hero may not Order the same Mecha twice in an Episode.

Zentraedi Vessels

All Zentraedi Vessels act via set Orders by one card in the Z-Assault Orders Phase. The following rules explain the procedure for moving and attacking with Zentraedi Vessels.

Placement: Zentraedi Vessels are always placed in Outer Areas, unless otherwise specified. Many Vessels have a specified Area they are placed in, but some are placed randomly. To randomly place a unit, roll 1d6; the result indicates the Area where the Vessels start in.

When Vessels are placed onto the Game Board, draw them from the Zentraedi Vessel Bag to ensure a random mix of each type of Vessel during placement. Having a random spread of vessels - sometimes more or less - is how the game is designed to play. Placing too many one type can create an unintended game experience.
Zentraedi Vessels: There are 3 types of Zentraedi Vessels:
- Pods: Pods are small one-man piloted attack craft. Their job is to rush toward the SDF-1 and reach the Bridge.
- Cruisers: Cruisers are smaller Zentraedi Capital Ships. Their job is to rip armor away and damage SDF-1 areas, thus reducing its capabilities to continue fighting. They are also tasked with surrounding the SDF-1.
- Flagship: Flagship have the duty of pouring immense fire into the SDF-1 at specific locations. These capital ships are very hard to kill.
Z-Assualt Orders: Zentraedi Vessels move and attack via Orders received through a randomly drawn Z-Assault Orders Card. Orders are performed in sequence on the Orders Card from top to bottom, starting with Pods.
- Vessel Symbols: Each Vessel Token has an Orders Symbol. There are three symbols for Pods, two for Cruisers, and one for Flagships.
- Orders Procedure: Follow each line of the Orders Card in sequence, enacting each Order Symbol from left to right. Pods will Advance or Rotate unless they become Engaged with RDF Mecha - see page xxx.

Combat Casualties

RDF Units

RDF Mecha: When RDF Mecha take damage they become destroyed. It takes 1 damage to destroy a Mecha. Once damage has been allocated to a Mecha, remove it from the board immediately.
Hero Pilots: Heroes piloting Veritechs can have damage allocated as described above. However, all damage must be allotted for. This means you cannot place two hits on a Non-Hero Veritech when a Hero is in the Area as well. When allocating damage is it must be distributed evenly, with extra damage taken on Heroes in the area.

Example 1: There are 2 non-Hero and 1 Hero Veritech in an Area. They take 4 damage. Both non-Hero Veritechs are destroyed which leaves 2 damage to account for. The Hero then takes 1 damage, as only one damage can be allocated to a Hero per Episode Phase - see page xxx.

Example 2: There are 2 non-Hero and 1 Hero Veritech in an area. They take 2 damage. In this case, you can choose how the damage is distributed. If you like, you make take 1 damage on the Hero to save one of the Veritechs.

Zentraedi Vessels

When Zentraedi Vessels take damage two things may happen:

Destroyed: The Vessel is destroyed, but can fight on until the end of the turn before being removed. A destroyed Vessel's Token is flipped to the destroyed side. This indicates that the Vessel can still take Orders during the Z-Assault Orders Phase, but must be removed at the end of the turn.
Annihilated: The Vessel is destroyed with such force it is immediately removed from the board. To annihilate a Vessel, it must take 2 times its damage capacity.
Pods - 1 Damage Capacity: Pods are destroyed when 1 damage is taken and annihilated when 2 damage is taken.
Cruisers - 4 Damage Capacity: Cruisers are destroyed when 4 damage is taken and annihilated when 8 damage is taken.
Flagship - 6 Damage Capacity: Flagship are destroyed when 6 damage is taken and annihilated when 12 damage is taken.
Overkill Damage: Overkill damage happens when Vessels in an area take more damage than units available. The extra damage then gets distributed again on destroyed vessels until they are are all annihilated.

Example 1: There are 4 Pods in an area. The Pods take 6 damage. All 4 Pods are destroyed and the 2 Overkill damage is used to annihilate 2 of the Pods.

Example 2: There are 2 Cruisers in an area. They take 9 damage. The damage is enough to destroy both vessels but the Overkill is not enough to annihilate one.
Special Damage: Heroes have Abilities and Actions that may cause damage to occur in non-standard ways. The same follows for played cards. Follow the instructions on the Hero board or Card as written.

Khyron and Miriya

Khyron and Miriya Villains are special characters that may come into play based on story elements or Z-Assault Invasion Cards. Each acts with Orders from a randomly drawn Pod and and enters play with 4 Pods. Khyron and Miriya cannot be targeted until all Pods in the Area with them are destroyed.

Each Pod in an Area with the Villain ignores its own Orders Symbol and uses the Villain's instead.

Khyron: Khyron always causes 1 additional damage to the Area he stops his movement in.
Miriya: Miriya always Disengages before taking any other Orders, but she or Pods in her Area never enter the Bridge. If their move would normally take them into the Bridge, continue the move as normal into the next SDF-1 Area or across the SDF-1.

Player Responsibilities

Robotech: Attack on SDF-1 has several aspects that require accounting. It helps for players to share the responsibility of game aspects to help keep the game moving along. Each Player should consider the following tasks:

Manage the Danger Board: The Danger Board is one of the most important game aspects, as it records the damage the SDF-1 takes and how the populations are set. One player, familiar with the game, should take on tracking the Danger Board.
Manage the Tokens: Veritechs, Destroids, Ability Points, and Zentraedi Vessels all need to be placed and taken off the board. Someone managing the Tokens really helps support the game.
Track the Sequence of Play: During Story Mode play, there are several steps that need to be completed in a procedural fashion. Having someone read and track the play phase really helps keep the game moving, and helps from skipping steps.
Play the Cards: In Story Mode, Cards need to be drawn every turn, and on some turns Active or Tech cards need to be managed. Tracking what is in play and what needs to be drawn helps keep the game moving along.

Card Clarifications

Some rules on the Cards may be difficult to understand. If you have a question regarding a card rule, please refer here.

Z Cards

Assassin Strikes: A total of 3 damage is caused to Heroes in the Bridge. If there is only 1 Hero there, she will take all 3 damage and go MIA. Otherwise, the damage can be spread across multiple Heroes there.
Battlepod Swarm: Treat all annihilated Pods as destroyed this turn.
Cruiser Barrage: All Cruisers Barrage for 1 additional instance.
Launch Bay Explosion: Veritechs in the Launch Square, awaiting to launch, cannot be launched. Already launched Veritechs in the Launch Bay are unaffected.
Xenos Sympathizers: Change any 2 mecha in 1 area into Pods. If there are not 2 Mecha in 1 area then change any 2 mecha into Pods.

SDF-1 Cards

Asteroid Field: The SDF-1 takes 3 damage that you can distribute in any way, including armor. Zentraedi vessels also take 3 damage that you can distribute in any way. Feel free to place all damage on 1 Flagship or annihilate 1 Pod and destroy another.
Bolster Crew: Gain +2 Crew that can be applied in any way to Science, Production, or Gunners. This bonus can exceed the population maximums set on the SDF-1 Damager Board Charts.
Early Detection: The bonus +2 move can be used in any way during your turn. It can be used between other actions.
Flanking Maneuver: The Evade Tokens are only used against damage taken from Zentraedi vessels.
Instinctual Focus: A total of 2 Action Dice results can be changed to Instinct. Any Hero can convert 1 or 2 dice.
Mini-Missile Barrage: This comes into play when combat has started.
Offensive Formation: The bonus grated applies to Non-Hero Veritech Attack Dice. Hero Veritechs add to this bonus, but gain no benefit.
Slingshot Action: This card allows Zentraedi vessels to be moved to an adjacent area to the right or left. Vessels may not be moved inward or outward. All vessels in the area are moved, including Flagship.

Tech Upgrades

Cannister Rounds: This allows Rail Guns to annihilate 1 Pod instead of damaging Capital Ships. As long as there is a Pod that a Rail Gun can target, you may choose to annihilate 1 Pod instead of damaging a Capital Ship.
Long Ranged Missiles: Choose 1 area with Veritechs. All Veritechs in that area can damage Zentraedi Vessels in adjacent areas. Roll Action and Attack Dice normally, and damage can be applied to vessels in adjacent areas.
Partial Shield Barrier: This works like the Pin Point Barrier Unlock, see below, but only provides 4 Evade Tokens. Once all the Tokens have been used, place the card at the bottom of the Tech Upgrade deak. It can be drawn again.

Story Unlocks

Pinpoint Barrier System: Once a round, one damage from space can be negated. Once this has been unlocked, it is active for the rest of the game in this manner. It can negate damage caused by Cards like Asteroid Field, Kamikaze, and Meteor Storm as well as damage from Zentraedi vessels in inner and outer areas.
Super Veritechs - SV: Once this card has been unlocked, the benefit only applies to newly constructed Veritechs. Veritechs must go through the construction process to gain the SV benefit.

Crew Cards

Science
- Cool x Reflex Heat: The marker on the Reflex Cannon Overload Chart is reduced by the value indicated. In the case of 1d6 cooling, roll a die and subtract the result from the Chart.
- Jam: Jam renders a Zentraedi Vessel unable to move or shoot for the remainder of the turn. Jammed vessels are still targeted and damaged as normal.
Production
- Repair 2 Armor: Any 2 armor can be repaired. They do not need to be in the same area.
- Veritech 1 Evade: An Evade Token is granted to the Wing Leader. He can spend it to negate 1 damage to a Veritech taken from enemy fire. He can use it for himself as well.
Gunners
- 2 Hits: The Gunners score a total of 2 hits to any area with an operational Gun. The hits are distributed as normal.
- Beam Cannon 1 Hit to Outer Area: An operational beam cannon can inflict 1 damage a Pod in an outer or inner area.

Hero Clarifications

Some rules on the Hero Boards may be difficult to understand. If you have a question regarding how to use a Hero, please refer here.

Ace Pilot & Veteran Pilot - Max Sterling
- Move: In Max's area, any damage done to Pods by Veritech allow the damage to be increased. The increase in damage annihilates the Pod. Even if Max fails to roll a Target, track the Move results, as other Veritech - Non-Hero and Hero alike - can benefit from this result.
Captain - Henry Gloval or Lisa Hayes

The Captain use his movement to move himself and the SDF-1. He can use his free move to move across the SDF-1, or to "twist" the SDF-1 itself. Additional movement gained from rolling Action Dice or Cards can be used in the same manner.

Without the Captain being actively played, the SDF-1 cannot "twist," Evade, fire Rail Guns, Fire the Reflex Cannon, or transform into Battle Mode.
Mentor - Roy Fokker
- Target: When Roy rolls a Target, he is helping the SDF-1 identify and attack targets. When Roy helps like this, there must be a Beam Cannon or Rail Gun available to attack. Only targets that the SDF-1's Guns can effect are targeted.
Skull Leader - Roy Fokker
- Move: When Roy roll's a move you allow all Veritech - Hero and Non-Hero - in one area to move +1 space. This includes includes Roy as well.
- Instinct: Roy inflicts 2 damage to a Zentraedi vessel. The damage can be applied to a Pod - annihilating it, or to a Cruiser- destroying it. It can be applied to a Flagship - inflicting 2 damage.

Optional Game Mode: Escalation Mode

As an alternate to Story Mode, you can defend the SDF-1 from wave after wave of Zentraedi attacks. Escalation mode is a simpler form of the game that removes many of the story elements. You play until the SDF-1 is destroyed. Count how many turns you last, and try to beat your best.

Escalation Mode Setup

Place the Game Board, the SDF-1 Danger Board, and the SDF-1 Cruiser Mode Board out as typical. See Story Mode Setup Above.
Use the Population Marker to set Macross City population to 7.
Gain 3 Ability Points. Place 5 Veritech on the Launch Square in the Launch Bay, and 3 Destroids in any SDF-1 Area. A maximum of 1 non-Hero Mecha can be placed in the Bridge.
Deal 2 SDF-1 Resource Cards to each Hero.
Choose any 4 Heroes. There are no starting restrictions.
Roll on the Escalation Chart to determine starting Zentraedi vessels.

Basic Rules: Follow these rules to play Escalation Mode.

Z Cards: Z Cards are not played.
SDF-1 Cards: SDF-1 Cards are not played
Story Unlocks: Story Unlocks are also not used.
Finite Mecha Pool: You only have access to a total of 15 Veritechs and 15 Destroids. Keep track, as once they run out more cannot be constructed.
Tech Upgrade Cards: Tech Cards are played as normal.
Heroes: All Hero Abilities, movement, and Actions are played as normal.
Battle Mode: Battle Mode still costs 3 Ability Points to transform into, but you have access to Battle Mode from the start of Escalation mode.
Losing the Game: The game is still lost in the standard ways.
Zentraedi Maximums: There can never be more Zentraedi Vessels on the board than Tokens provided in the game.

Escalation Play Sequence

Upkeep
Roll 2d6 on the Escalation Chart and place Zentraedi Units.
Order Crew
Play Heroes and Order Mecha
Order Zentraedi
Clean Up

Escalation Chart: Roll 2d6 and place the number of vessels indicated under the rolled result. (Where a table cell lists several lines, each line is a separate group of that vessel type, as printed.)

2d6 result	Pods	Cruisers	Flagship
2	4		1
3	4	1
4	3 - inner area; 3 - inner area
5	4	1	1
6		1; 1; 1
7	4	2
8	4 - inner area; 4; 4