Nine spacefaring crusader states will engage in a zero-sum (nearly) multidimensional tug-of-war for ownership over nineteen keystone worlds, sending ships from their fleets out into the cosmos up to ten times per game.
Any or all of these nine states can be controlled by an algorithm. As a human player, you must be able to visualize how algorithm-based opponents will behave throughout each nineteen-planet sequence of action resolution and also to visualize how you and your human opponents (if any) can affect the algorithm and send it spinning in a different direction.
(You could also set the nine algorithms against each other to see what happens.)
You will need to balance a healthy supply of ships in your reserves (i.e., NOT on the map) with a strong presence of control flags among the 19 worlds to avoid elimination.
Win by planting your 11th flag, by having 5 fleets in play at the start of a round, or by surviving all 10 rounds and having the highest score.
—description from the designer