Twilight Imperium Fourth Edition - NEW!

TWILIGHT IMPERIUM

I typically prefer board games to computer or video games. And I prefer Twilight Imperium to most board games. Trouble is, it's hard to get a group of people together to play board games, and especially one as long and complex as Twilight Imperium. But Twilight Imperium (hereafter referred to as TI) is more an experience than a game. Though it can easily take several hours to play, you hardly notice the time pass as you strategize your military, economy, technology, and expansion, and engage in diplomacy or war with the other players. There is enough to the game you could probably major in it, and there are a lot of variations and rules that have unclear interpretations; but figuring these out as a group is part of the fun. It's as close to real politics as you can get. Favoritism, bribery, and subterfuge all have a place here.

TI is set in space in an imaginary galaxy ruled from a central planet called Mecatol Rex. Each player plays the role of an alien race which belongs to a Galactic Council, and often meets together to vote on laws. But tensions are high, and each race is competing for political supremacy. Victory is won by gaining points, usually by fulfilling objectives. Strategies vary considerably, and depending on the race played and objectives drawn, tactics may be military, economic, technological, or diplomatic. Trade agreements and peace treaties may need to be formed or broken.

There are several factors which contribute to the unique game-play and replayability of the game. First, each race plays completely different. Playing the militaristic L1Z1X Mindnet (aka Borg) requires a different approach than playing the peaceful diplomats of the Xxcha Kingdom (aka Turtles) or the wily spies of the Tribes of Yssaril (aka Gollums). The map, created by tile placement, creates a unique board every game (here's a look-see):
Picture
Technologies vary and abilities vary; and the races and play styles of the other players will greatly affect the style of gameplay. And the cards. The cards! Objective cards determine how points are to be earned. Do you need to stab an ally in the back? Or collect technology? Political cards (laws which are passed by way of voting in Galactic Council) can change the rules of the game, or have other effects such as declaring one player an Enemy of the State. Action cards which skew your plans can be played at any time by anyone!

There is really too much to the game to describe in a short post. I'll try to expand this over time. For now let me leave you with a brief introduction to the game by the girls of Starlit Citadel:
Starlit Citadel presents 'Twilight Imperium'

The Races

TI starts with 10 playable races, which increases to 17 if you have the Shattered Empire and Shards of the Throne expansions. Each is unique in the value of its home system, starting fleet, initial technologies, and racial abilities and technologies. Thus, the race you play weighs tremendously on how the game will play out. Typically, races are selected by random draw; I personally don't mind full random (just draw one and play it), but usually play draw 3 races and then choose one of those three. This allows players to avoid playing the same race if they happen to draw it twice in a row, and also gives players a better chance to select a race that adheres more closely to their preferred play style. Click on the buttons below for a description of each race. (under construction-blue buttons are completed.)

The Game

TI has a LOT of components. It can be a little intimidating for someone new to the game to sit at a table with all the different options set out. But since I like all the options (yes, even Distant Suns), I don't really like to exclude anything. In this section I will try to itemize the various game components, including options, for the base game and both expansions (Shattered Empires and Shards of the Throne).

<<in progress-buttons in blue are complete>>