The Strategic Game of Exploration, Diplomacy, and Conquest
VICTORY BY ANY MEANS (VBAM) is a strategic level game of interstellar exploration, diplomacy, and conquest that simulates the conflicts between various alien powers as they return to the stars two centuries after the collapse of the last galactic civilization.
In this game, each player takes control of a different alien empire with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. As you explore the galaxy you will establish new colonies, build new fleets, make contact with other strange alien civilizations, and fight epic interstellar wars to determine the ultimate fate of the galaxy and achieve VICTORY BY ANY MEANS!
“The Harbinger War” – The Victory by Any Means Universe
Two centuries ago, the major alien civilizations of the galaxy rallied to defeat the Harbingers — a relentlessly violent species of machine “berserkers”. This victory was achieved by detonating a Precursor bomb at the Harbinger homeworld, destroying it in a single catastrophic explosion. The detonation of this Precursor weapon sent a shockwave that rippled through the fabric of hyperspace, destabilizing the jump lanes which then began disappearing one after another until interstellar travel became impossible.
As far as historians can tell, the entirety of the galactic jump lane network was affected by this Great Hyperspace Collapse. Since then, the jump lanes have remained dormant, and the survivors of the Harbinger War have been cut off from the rest of the galaxy. The old fleets were mothballed or scavenged for materials and the history of the interstellar age started to pass into history and legend.
Then, a year ago, the long range sensor buoys located at the edge of our home system — themselves antiquated remnants of that bygone age — began detecting something amazing: the jump lanes had returned! The long term effects of the hyperspace shockwave were starting to ebb, and the Great Hyperspace Collapse might soon be over.
The old fleets have been reactivated and our people are preparing to return to the stars. We are not sure what awaits us out there in the cold, dark void — how many other alien worlds survived the Collapse? Has the Harbinger threat been dealt with once and for all?
We have so many unanswered questions, but there is one thing we do know as we begin rebuilding our empire: it is time for you to take your people back to the stars.
VBAM introduces players to the alien empires and history of “The Harbinger War” and uses it to provide greater context to the players than has been available in previous editions of the game. Players will take control of an empire that is recovering from the horrors of the Harbinger War and the ensuing Great Hyperspace Collapse. This explains why these empires are just now taking back to the stars, and why they are emerging back into space at roughly the same time.
Importantly, this default campaign setting gives players a fixed point of reference to show them how the VBAM rules can be used in their own campaigns and settings.
Previous Editions
First Edition (2004-2015)
The First Edition was released in 2004 and included the Campaign Guide, Campaign Moderator’s Companion, The Menagerie, The Wars of the Boltians and Kuissians, Empire Rising, Stars Divided: Terran Civil War, Jovian Chronicles Edition, Fire As She Bears! Edition, and the 1793-1801 Caribbean Campaign Compendium.
Section Edition (2015-2024)
The Second Edition was released in 2015 and included the Campaign Guide and With a Purpose.
Third Edition (2024-Current)
The Third Edition will be released in 2024/2025 and will include Victory by Any Means.
Legacy Game Resources
Web Supplements
Campaign Guide Appendices – June 15, 2006
This multi-page PDF contains all of the materials from the Victory by Any Means Campaign Guide appendices, including maps, scenarios, source materials, forms, etc.
Campaign Maps
Nearby Stars Map – August 16, 2004
This map contains the majority of stars within 20 light years (ly) of Sol. Jump lanes were determined by comparing relative distances between stars. Makes for a good, ready-made campaign map.
Wars of the Boltians and Kuissians Maps – January 6, 2005
Updated version of the maps from the Wars of the Boltians and Kuissians source book. These maps are modified to make it much clearer who controls what territory on the map, which is of especial importance when the maps are printed in black and white.
Rules & Errata
Supply Rules Update – September 15, 2004
An update to the VBAM supply rules that included clarification on several topics, and also includes complete rules for cargo carrying capacity to aid CMs in determining just how much cargo a supply ship should be able to carry.
CSCR Unit Special Abilities – September 15, 2004
A work-in-progress list of different special abilities that can be applied to units under the CSCR combat system. This list should give CMs ideas for what can be used in their own campaigns, and possible cost guidelines.
Campaign Guide Errata – March 3, 2005
This zip file contains two PDF files. The first is a list of the major changes made to the rules and organization of the VBAM Campaign Guide between its original version and the new, revised version of the rules. The second PDF in the zip contains page rips from the newly revised guide. These extracted pages contain all of the new or substantially changed material in the guide. For those of you with a printed version of the guide, printing out select pages of interest in this attachment will give you ready access to the new material.
Original Version Table of Contents – March 3, 2005
This is a Table of Contents for the original (non-revised) version of the VBAM Campaign Guide.
Counters
Complete Boltian & Kuissian Counter Set – December 9, 2015
A set of counters depicting ships from the Boltian/Kuissian Universe. Counters and art by Paul Robinson.
Fiction
Operation: Prometheus – September 15, 2004
A fiction piece, written by Charles Lewis, set in the Boltian/Kuissian Universe.
Computer Software
Star System Generator – August 18, 2004
The VBAM Star System Generator, designed by Steve Brindle, is a fast and easy way to quickly generate VBAM star system statistics. The Star System Generator can generate up to 200 systems at a time. Once generated, the system stats can be viewed within the program or else exported into a text or HTML format for use outside of the program. The Generator also includes playtest versions of the Mid- and High-Detail Star System Generation results. Rules for these systems will be featured in the Campain Moderator’s Companion.