This plugin is all you need to learn and play High Frontier 4 All (HF4) board game! The goal of this write-up is to get you up to speed quickly.

Note that this is the OFFICIAL TTS module from the creators of the game:
- ALL modules are included and playable in this single plugin.
- ALL manuals are included.
- There's a scripted setup menu (by default all modules are packed out. The menu will reduce it to your taste). The gameplay itself is not scripted except for 2 deck tools (buttons) and some dice rollers.
- This is currently free, but you will have to buy TTS
- You can buy the hardware here[ionsmg.com].

Is this for you?
This dude on youtube says if the crazy (but totally realistic) map gets you curious, it may be right for you. If you're already tired by just looking at the map then it's probably not for you. I'll add to that, that if you're not willing to play 2+ to crazy amount of hour games then don't read further. For a proper experience you may need rather 4 or so hours. Note that the scenario, modules and player count will dictate how long it will take. From my few plays I think 3+ players hit the sweet spot for the auctioning mechanism. Note that you can play this in solo, coop and competitive mode. My first games are almost totally rule/sandbox exploratory so I was not bothered at all that we were playing competitive.


Where to start? TTS & HF4
- Buy TTS
- Subscribe to this plugin (free)
- Launch TTS from your steam client
- Create -> Single player -> Workshop -> High Frontier 4 All Official
Now you can view the whole table, the modules, the manuals etc.
Right-mouse spins. Scroll wheel zooms. WASD moves around.
Table starts wrong way around. You can click on the username top right -> Change color, and then assign another seat that's closer to the action. I recommend Green, Purple, Yellow depending on player count.

Read the “read me first” manual!

If this is your first time, and you just want to look around, select Space Diamonds or Race for Glory from the menu on the right of the map and click setup game. This will remove all other modules from the table and put it back in their respected boxes (you can right-click on a box and click search to see the content).

All you need to start learning/exploring now is to select your color/nation by clicking claim faction on one of the aqua counter LCDs. The LCD is far easier to use than working with pips for aquas. It really doesn't matter if the TTS chair color you chose is different from the faction color. Factions is a concept from HF4 whereas TTS insist on chair colors. To populate multiple playmats, just switch your player color again and claim faction. When playing the tutorial you can play all three factions from one seat/color. (The script/plugin doesn’t stop you from being player one and moving for player 2 or three)

Note that the plugin doesn't do anything with player count yet. So all playmats will remain regardless of the player count that you select.

At any time if you want to restart, click on GAMES -> (WORKSHOP) High frontier 4. Depending on how many plugins you have, you may not need to click on workshop.

Start learning HF4:
Read the “read me first” manual! It takes a very special human being to jump directly into the core game. If you like a challenge, I recommend you read through RtM tutorial (while playing it out in TTS) and then play a RfG game or two (find opponents in discord) before jumping into core. Alternatively if the RfG ruleset seems daunting, you can begin with Space Diamonds (SD) which gives you a taste of rocket movement.

RfG vs RtM:
Race for Glory (RfG) is the simplified set of rules (as opposed to core rules). Simplified may not be the correct term since the full core rules will unlock much more. Race to Mars (RtM) on the other hand is one of the scenarios using the RfG ruleset, but also refers to the super important tutorial for the RfG ruleset.

(Sadly the Race for Glory manual’s file name is race for Mars in the download section. It looks like the full document name is “RfG, RtM” kinda like a book with two parts.)

TTS Tips:
See full list of basic and advanced TTS shortcuts here[kb.tabletopsimulator.com]
Save camera positions with ctrl-# (number keys). Load camera positions with shift-#
F flips a card
Long click on a deck picks up the whole deck
Fast click and swipe on a deck picks up the top card
Hold alt while hovering over anything and it will give you full size (handy for viewing cards from afar)
Right-click on anything for context menu
You can drag a card to the bottom of the screen to put it into your hand. These remain visible regardless of where the camera is pointing.
Careful, you can manipulate other player's objects!
I prefer using the discord voice channel but the game could be played by typing in the text box on the bottom left.
For solo play, it may be handy to save your game to resume later or get around scripting issue (RtM). You don't HAVE to click on Save/Load button. Clicking on the 3 dots give you the option to overwrite (Save), or clicking on the icon will load.


HF4 Gameplay:
For auctions, the community often writes bidding in the chat. Just write how much you're bidding. X for pass.
Although solo exploration and learning is rewarding, I recommend joining the discord server for questions, spectating active games, and finding players for your games.
The pro's are very kind and help to teach new players. I recommend reading at least the RtM tutorial before asking for a teaching session from them.


Links:
HF4 on BGG[boardgamegeek.com]
HF4 on Discord[discord.gg]
ION Games on discord (find players here too)[discord.gg]
Official Manuals[www.dropbox.com]