Small Star Empires: Dawn of Discoveries

About this expansion

Small Star Empires: Dawn of Discoveries is a board game for 2–4 players, with games lasting about 45 minutes. Set in a galaxy entering a turbulent era of technological breakthroughs, it challenges players to use powerful crystals to develop their civilizations.

At the start of the game, crystals in three colors are drawn at random from a bag and placed on the board, with one crystal set on each one-planet system. Several technology cards are also revealed, creating a selection of technologies that players can research by spending the crystals they collect.

When you colonize a system containing a crystal, you gain that crystal for future research. You can also build research stations on the board. If an opponent colonizes a system adjacent to one of your stations, both of you receive a research bonus and gain an extra crystal.

The available technologies support different approaches to developing your civilization. They include:

• Engine drives that enable special movement across the board
• Utility modules that can be used to colonize asteroids
• Weapons and shields for damaging or defending ships

Technologies may also score points at the end of the game, so choosing developments that fit your strategy is essential. Will you invest in peaceful research to further prosper, or pursue military research to subdue rival civilizations?

With its crystal-driven research system and competing paths to technological progress, Small Star Empires: Dawn of Discoveries puts the future of each civilization in your hands.