Hi all, I'm hosting a 5 player game this weekend and I was wondering if you had any preset map ideas? I've looked at the offical preset map for 5 players with the A, B and C wormholes connecting the lower half of the galaxy and i'm not sure I like it. I've also seen the way the galaxy is set up for 5 players in the core rules. Notta huge fan of that either because either the planets are random or players choose where systems go, both don't lead to a very fair map. So if any of you have ideas to make a 'fair' 5 player map please share

As far as the positions go (referring to rules page 32 map setup) I move the starting positions around a bit. I move position 1 and 4 up one hex. This way there are four player positions equal. They each have a 2 system buffer on one side and a 3 system buffer on the other. They all also have 4 systems around them. This way only position 5 is different. It has a buffer of 3 on each side and only 3 systems adjacent. So, now instead of two partially disadvantaged, and 1 very disadvantaged, there is only one slightly advantaged.

If you do a preset, you can control how much of an advantage that one spot is. If you think the buffer is awesome, then give them fewer planets/resources. If you think it’s not a big deal, then give them the same. I like to put a noob there so they have a little more space and don’t feel as pressured.

For the system setup, I put trade stations and other nice systems next to Rex to entice fleets toward the center of the map. I give each home system access to about 4 planets. (which might be too much?) This is pretty random, but then I go back and make sure each has a similar combined green and red count. If everyone is around 5 to 7, then I don’t worry about it. I also check tech discounts. If someone has 4 and another has 0, then I adjust that around a bit. All the HS that have 4 adjacent systems get a red boarder system. The other one gets a red system somewhere over there but not attached to their HS. I use only the A & B wormholes and just space them so everyone can kinda get to one.

Whenever I preset, which I always do to save time, I make sure the player locations are random so no one thinks I setup a sweet spot for myself. Lol

Good luck and enjoy!