How to Play

Space Hulk

2-2 players 45-45 min 7.5 Board Game Geek Rating

In this Warhammer 40K miniatures game, heavily-armed Space Marines explore derelict spacecraft corridors while deadly Genestealers hunt them. Marines must complete scenario objectives like retrieving artifacts, while Genestealers win by eliminating all Marines. The unique mechanic gives Marines only three minutes per turn, creating intense time pressure that simulates the aliens' superior speed and adds thrilling tension to gameplay.

Published 1989

Get Ready

Setup the game with these step-by-step instructions before diving into your turn.

Form Dalek squads

Each squad consists of one Commander Dalek and three ordinary Soldier Daleks

Distinguish Commanders

Use a Dalek with a different color scheme for the Commander (e.g., three silver/grey Daleks led by a red Dalek)

Select Command Unit

Choose either a Gold Emperor Dalek or Davros as the command unit (maximum one per force)

Build force using point costs

Select units based on available points:

Ensure proper Slave ratios

Include at least one Extermination Unit for every 4 Slave teams fielded

Prepare distraction markers

Have markers ready (Jammed markers work) to track Dalek distraction status

On Your Turn

What you can do during your turn.

Roll for Command Points

Roll based on highest-ranking Dalek present:

Spend Action Points

Soldiers have 3 AP; Emperor and Davros have 2 AP each:

Fire Dalek guns

Roll three dice per shot; gain sustained fire bonuses as Storm Bolters

Check for Distraction

If rolling a triple when firing, the Dalek becomes distracted and loses 1 AP (cumulative to maximum -3 AP)

Enter Overwatch

Spend 1 AP; guns never jam but triples still cause Distraction

Use antigravity

Float over Pitfalls automatically; spend 3 AP to move up/down Pitfalls or Ladders

Cut through bulkheads

Spend 4 AP while adjacent to bulkhead (CPs may supplement)

Engage in close combat

Roll 1D with -1 modifier when fighting humans; Daleks cannot use Guard Mode

Roll on Dalek Damage Table when hit

When a kill is scored against a Dalek, roll 1D6:

Apply damage modifiers

Add +1 for each successful hit beyond the first; Davros receives -1 modifier

Use Slaves

Slaves have 5 AP, can move sideways for 1 AP, turn 90° for 0 AP, use Access Tunnels, roll 1 die in combat

Fire Slave weapons

Function as Storm Bolters but roll only 1 die; cannot jam on Overwatch

Complete flamer objectives

Spend 3 AP within sight of target to recalibrate weapons; next shot counts as flamer for victory conditions

Winning

How to claim victory.

Achieve scenario victory conditions

Complete objectives as specified by the mission being played

Substitute flamer requirements

When missions require flamer shots at targets (e.g., "Suicide Mission"), Daleks spend 3 AP in sight of target then fire

Use Davros for objectives

Davros can achieve flamer-equivalent victory conditions by being in target room and expending 3 AP (using CPs as needed)

Replace losses in campaigns

Receive 1 Slave at the end of each mission to replenish forces

Space Hulk

Get Ready

On Your Turn

Winning

watch & Learn

Extermination - 1

Extermination - 2

MORE VIDEOS

Extermination - 3

Space Hulk v1 & extensions

Suicide Mission

The Origins of Space Hulk

FULL rules

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