VII Legio

About this board game

VII Legio is a 1982 space exploration game for 3–6 players, with sessions lasting about 60 minutes. One player takes the role of the game master and creates the galaxy, while the other players become spaceship commanders.

As commanders, players explore planets and encounter alien races. These meetings can lead to different outcomes, including capturing, fighting, negotiating, or trading. Completing missions earns command points, giving players a clear objective as they navigate the galaxy.

• Explore planets and seek out missions
• Interact with alien races through several possible approaches
• Earn command points by completing missions
• Return to base to gain promotions and receive larger ships
• Face hidden pirate ships and other dangers in space

Once a commander has gathered enough command points, they can return to the base, be promoted, and receive a bigger ship. These larger vessels are better suited to different types of missions, adding progression to the game as players advance through their spacefaring careers.

The galaxy is not safe. Hidden pirate ships move through space and attempt to destroy the players’ ships, while hazards such as black holes and spatial jump squares create additional threats and complications during exploration.

With one player managing the galaxy and the others directing their commanders, VII Legio combines exploration, mission completion, alien encounters, ship progression, and concealed danger. The game was also expanded by Tablin.