Starship Samurai: Shattered Alliances

Plaid Hat Games · Board game · 2019
— Ludopedia 7.8 BGG 2–4 60–75 min Weight 2.0/5
Buy
— rating Ludopedia
7.8 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you love miniature space battles and card play, Shattered Alliances will keep you glued to the table.

Highlights
  • New units with unique abilities
  • 40 action cards that shift the dynamics
  • Clan synergies for explosive plays
  • Enhanced area control
Keep in mind
  • No Portuguese version
  • Full translation needed
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

Starship Samurai: Shattered Alliances turns the galaxy‑wide skirmish into a tactical showdown of skill and cunning. The expansion adds two brand‑new Samurai Mech units – Ishida, the wealth‑accumulating master, and Honda, the lone‑sailor protector – each with unique abilities that shift how you plan your moves. In addition, 40 fresh action cards flood the table, letting you reshuffle play order, swap cards in creative ways, and, if you’re aligned with the right clan, unleash explosive effects that can swing the game in your favor. These cards work with both the base deck and the expansion deck, giving you freedom to build bold or cautious strategies. The Area Majority / Influence mechanic remains a key feature, but now there are more options to control territories and use influence to earn victory points. The game still runs in 60–75 minutes for 2–4 players, but the new component variety makes each match more unpredictable and exciting. If you enjoy miniature warfare, card play, and fast decisions, this expansion will deliver hours of fun and new ways to rule the stars. The only caveat is that the expansion isn’t available in Portuguese, so you’ll need a full translation to play at home. Other than that, the experience is richer, with fresh synergies between units and action cards. Ishida, specialized in accumulating resources, lets you gain more action cards each turn, creating a "snowball" effect that can crush opponents. Honda, in turn, protects a chosen ship from direct attacks, opening space for blocking strategies. The action cards also allow immediate effect plays and can be combined to create victory sequences, such as a surprise attack followed by a block that prevents opponent recovery. The expansion also brings new influence tokens, acting as area control markers, letting players choose between absolute majority or partial influence to earn points. This adds an extra tactical decision layer, as you must weigh whether to sacrifice resources to secure majority in a critical area.

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–4 players
2 OK
3 OK
4 OK

Where to Buy

Prices monitored daily

Finding best prices...

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change.

Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Publisher Plaid Hat Games

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

544owners
55wishlist
20want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How many players can play with the expansion?
2 to 4 players.
How long does a game last with the expansion?
60 to 75 minutes.
What is the complexity level of the expansion?
Medium to high, similar to the base game, with more strategic decisions.
What new components come with the expansion?
Two Samurai Mech units (Ishida and Honda), 40 action cards, influence tokens, and new control markers.
Does the expansion work with the base game?
Yes, it can be played with both the base deck and the expansion deck.
Do I need a translation to play in Portuguese?
Yes, the expansion is not available in Portuguese, so a full translation is required.