ourplayhubSTARCLAIM is a free real-time strategy (RTS) game in the spirit of Galcon and Tentacle Wars. You link your planets, send fleets along the lanes, and try to capture the whole galaxy. It plays instantly in any browser — no download, no sign-up — on phone, tablet or desktop. This guide covers everything from the basic controls to advanced strategy.
The goal
Capture every enemy planet. Each match is a fast free-for-all against 1–3 AI rivals, and a round usually takes just a few minutes.
Controls
- Drag from one of your planets to another to open a supply lane and send fleets toward it.
- Slash across one of your own lanes (drag through empty space across it) to cut it.
- Tap a planet for a quick info card; tap your hero ship, then a planet, to move it.
- Keys: Q Overdrive (every hero) · E / W your hero's unlocked abilities · H help · M mute.
- Everything works with a mouse or by touch.
Planets
Every planet belongs to you, an enemy, or no one (neutral). Planets slowly grow units over time, and the more units one holds, the larger and tougher it becomes — it upgrades from Small to Medium to Large as it fills. Two kinds are special:
- Factory — generates units faster.
- Fortress — takes reduced damage from incoming enemy fleets.
Lanes & fleets
Linking one of your planets to another opens a lane that emits a steady stream of fleets — that is your pressure. Send fleets at a neutral or enemy planet to capture it; once you outnumber the defender, it flips to your colour. A strong planet can't be taken by a single weak lane, so concentrate several lanes on one target to break it. Cut a lane any time to redirect your forces or stop feeding a doomed attack.
Your hero ship
You field one hero ship at a time. Garrison it on a planet to boost it; it levels up as you capture territory, unlocking passive skills and items. Its active abilities are a per-hero kit — Overdrive is free on every hero, and the rest are unlocked in the in-game Shop with Stars you earn each match.
- Overdrive (Q) — supercharge the hero's planet so it generates and emits far more for a short burst. Free on every hero.
- Flagship — the starting hero. Unlock EMP (E) to zap incoming enemy fleets near the hero, and Shield (W) to block damage to its planet for a few seconds.
- Hornet — a second hero you unlock with Stars. Unlock Disruptor (E) to jam nearby enemy planets so they stop producing briefly, and Warhead (W) to strike the nearest enemy planet and strip its units.
You earn Stars every match — win or lose, more on harder games. Spend them in the Shop on the Hornet hero, these ability skills, and cosmetic ship skins. Everything is free to earn by playing.
Asteroids
Solid asteroids block lanes entirely — you can't link straight through them, so route around. Destructible asteroids let lanes pass but grind down every fleet that crosses; pour units through to wear one away and open a shortcut.
Difficulty & opponents
Choose Easy, Normal or Hard, and 1 to 3 AI rivals. With several AIs it's a free-for-all — they fight each other too, so the board can swing fast.
Strategy tips
- Grab nearby neutral planets early to grow your economy.
- Don't overextend — a planet drained to attack is easy to lose.
- Concentrate lanes to break a big planet; one lane rarely beats a full one.
- Use your hero to defend a frontline planet or spearhead a push, and time Overdrive for the killing blow.
- Cut the enemy's supply by capturing the planet feeding their attack.
Ready? ▶ Play STARCLAIM now — it's free and runs right in your browser.
More guides
- How to beat Hard mode — economy, lane concentration, hero timing and countering the Hornet AI.
- Heroes & abilities guide — every hero ability and exactly when to use it.
- Devlog — development updates and patch notes.