Skyfire: frequently asked questions

The basics

What is VGA Planets: Skyfire?

Skyfire is a free real-time card battler. You build a deck of seven starships, then fight three-to-five-minute battles against other players, launching ships with energy that builds during the match and trying to destroy the enemy homeworld. It is made by planets.nu and set in the VGA Planets universe.

What kind of game is it most like?

In format it is closest to Clash Royale: a small deck, a refilling resource, two lanes and short real-time matches. In setting and detail it is a starship game, with cloaking, minefields, carriers and twelve asymmetric races. There is a side-by-side comparison here.

Is Skyfire free?

Yes. It is free to play on every platform, with no advertising. There is an optional store; see the questions about money below.

Where can I play it?

In a web browser at skyfire.planets.nu/play with nothing to install, on Android from Google Play, and on iPhone and iPad from the App Store. All three are the same game on the same servers.

Do I need an account?

Not to start. "Play without an account" creates a commander saved on your device. To keep your progress safe and use it on other devices, sign in with Google, with Apple on an iPhone or iPad, or with an email address and password.

Do I need to know VGA Planets?

No. Skyfire is a separate game and explains itself as you play. If you do know VGA Planets, you will recognise the ships and races. More for Planets players here.

Playing

How long does a battle take?

Three minutes, plus up to two minutes of sudden-death overtime if the score is level. Destroying a homeworld ends it sooner.

How do I win?

Destroy the enemy homeworld and you win at once. If time runs out, the side that has destroyed more bases wins. If that is level, the first base to fall in overtime decides it. The full rules are here.

How many cards are in a deck?

Seven, all different, all from one race. Your starbase is always in play as well. You hold four cards in hand. Much later, reaching Fleet Admiral with a race opens an optional eighth slot for it.

How many races are there?

Twelve. You start with three and earn the rest. Each one is described here.

Which race should I start with?

The Solar Federation. Its ships are straightforward, they regenerate shields so mistakes are forgiven, and every new commander has it.

Is there a single-player mode?

There is the Simulator, where you practise against the computer facing any race you choose. There is no story campaign; the game is built around player-versus-player.

Can I play with friends?

Yes. Add a friend by call sign, then invite them to a 2v2 against another pair or challenge them to a friendly battle with nothing at stake. More about 2v2.

Is there chat?

No. Skyfire has no text chat, voice chat or emotes. The only thing another player ever sees of you is your call sign.

What happens if I lose my connection?

The battle keeps running and holds your seat. When you return you are put back into it. A dropped connection is not an instant forfeit.

Can I watch a battle again?

Yes. Your recent battles are kept in the Battle Log and can be replayed, and when a homeworld falls the game offers an instant replay of the final blow.

Progress

How do I get new ships?

Win battles to earn chests. Chests contain blueprints and megacredits, and the better ones can contain a hull you do not yet own. Which hulls can appear depends on your rank with that race. A few ultra-rare ships appear only in the very best chests.

How do upgrades work?

Each ship has ten tech levels. Collect enough blueprints of a ship, pay megacredits, and it is refitted with that tech level's weapons and a better engine, which also strengthens its shields. A ship's speed never changes.

What are the ranks?

There are 27 officer ranks, from Ensign to Space King. You earn merit by winning ranked battles, and you hold a separate rank with each race. Every promotion pays a chest.

How do I unlock more races?

Promotions at certain ranks pay a race token, which you spend to open the race of your choice.

What is the Starpass?

A star chart that resets every month. Every battle on the ladder, won or lost, earns a turn; turns move you across the chart, and each world you take pays a chest. It is free.

Money

What does the store sell?

Megacredits (the upgrade currency), wildcards (blueprints that count toward any ship) and tokens that unlock one ship or one race of your choice. It also has a free daily gift and a daily shelf of blueprints bought with megacredits you earned in play.

Does Skyfire have loot boxes?

Not for sale. Chests have random contents, but they can only be won or received free. Nothing bought with money is random.

Is Skyfire pay-to-win?

Paying speeds up progress; it does not buy anything a free player cannot earn. The honest long answer is here.

Are there ads?

No.