Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy

2020

Experience the thrill of leading an interstellar civilization in Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy. Explore star systems, wage wars, and strategize your path to victory with revamped gameplay and enhanced design.

200
minutes

2 - 6
player(s)

14+

Medium Heavy

About the game

Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy is an engrossing and highly strategic board game that combines elements of interstellar exploration, economic management, and epic space battles. This immersive game plunges players into a richly detailed, far-flung galaxy ripe for discovery and conquest.

Set against the vast expanses of outer space, the game’s backdrop is a sprawling, dynamic galaxy filled with diverse species and civilizations. Each player represents a unique interstellar civilization, all vying for supremacy and survival in the cold depths of space. The game’s theme and setting provide an endless array of strategic possibilities and narrative paths, making each playthrough a unique experience.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy is a massive strategy game that includes a multitude of components. Each has its own unique function and role in the gameplay:

1. Game Board: This is the central component of the game, representing the galaxy. It’s made up of hexagonal tiles that players explore and expand upon throughout the game. Each tile can contain a variety of features, such as planets or ancient alien civilisations.

2. Player Boards: Each player receives a board that represents their civilization. It includes spots for tracking resources, technology, and building/acquisition of starships, as well as managing their population.

3. Species Tiles: These tiles represent the different species present in the game. Each species has its own unique abilities and characteristics that affect gameplay.

4. Ship Part Tiles: These tiles represent various upgrades that can be made to a player’s starships. They add additional abilities or improve existing ones on starships.

5. Influence Discs: Players use these discs to claim and control sectors of the galaxy. They also serve as a way to measure a player’s influence and ability to control their empire.

6. Population Cubes: These cubes represent the population of a player’s empire. They are used to track the growth and spread of the player’s civilization across the galaxy.

7. Dice: The dice in Eclipse are used to resolve combat. Different types of dice are used depending on the type of starship involved in the combat.

8. Discovery Tiles: These tiles are drawn when a player explores a new sector. They can include beneficial resources or potentially dangerous alien civilizations.

9. Ambassador Tiles: These tiles are used to form alliances with other players. They can provide various benefits, but also come with potential risks if the alliance is broken.

10. Reputation Tiles: These tiles are earned through victorious battles and can provide additional victory points at the end of the game.

11. Technology Cards: These cards represent technological advancements a player can research. They can provide a variety of benefits, including improved ship parts, resource production, and special abilities.

12. Resource Trackers: These items are used on the player boards to track the production and expenditure of the three main resources in the game: Money, Science, and Materials.

13. Damage Markers: These markers are used to indicate damage to starships during combat.

Each component plays an integral role in the overall gameplay of Eclipse, creating a deep and complex strategy game that combines exploration, resource management, and combat in a competitive setting.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy is an intricate board game that requires strategic planning and deep understanding of the game mechanics. The following is a step-by-step guide on how to set up the game:

Step 1: Player Roles

Each player takes on the role of an interstellar civilization, competing for success with its rivals. Players will utilize resources, explore new star systems, establish colonies, and arm their starships throughout the game.

Step 2: Board Placement

Place the Galactic Center tile in the middle of the table. This represents the center of the galaxy.
The number of Sector 1, 2 and 3 tiles should correspond to the number of players. Shuffle each sector’s tiles separately and place them face down.
Each player then takes a Home System tile and places it around the Galactic Center at an equal distance from one another. The exact location depends on the number of players.

Step 3: Initial Resources

Each player starts with the following resources:

Money: 30 credits. This is the main currency used throughout the game.
Science: 5 research points. These are used to develop new technologies.
Materials: 10 material units. These are used to construct new ships and structures.

Step 4: Random Elements

There are some elements in Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy that add randomness to the game and make each playthrough unique:

Discovery Tiles: Shuffle all Discovery tiles and place them face down. When a player explores a new hex, they may draw a Discovery tile, providing a random benefit.
Technology Tiles: Shuffle the Technology tiles and place nine of them face up. These represent the current available technologies that can be researched.
Ancient Ships: Place the Ancient Ships randomly on the board based on the number indicated on each hex. These ships represent NPC enemies that provide additional challenges and rewards.

Now, you are ready to begin your journey in Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy. Remember, the game is not only about warfare and conquest – successful civilizations will need to balance their resources, strategic planning, and diplomatic relations to achieve victory.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In the board game ‘Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy’, a player’s turn consists of several potential actions and strategic choices. The actions taken during a player’s turn will greatly influence the game’s progression and outcome. The game is designed to be strategic, and each choice has its own set of potential benefits and consequences.

Action: Explore

When a player chooses the Explore action, they draw and place a new hex tile from the bag. This expands the game board and potentially reveals new resources or enemies. The player can choose to orient the tile in any direction, providing strategic control over the galaxy’s layout.

The player can discover new resource planets, which can be colonized for additional income.
They may encounter ancient civilizations, which can be fought for rewards.
It may also open up new routes for expansion or attack.

Action: Influence

The Influence action allows a player to exert their control over sectors of the galaxy. They can claim new sectors, reinforce their hold on existing ones, or withdraw from sectors.

Claiming new sectors increases the player’s resource income and strategic reach.
Reinforcing control over a sector protects it from enemy influence.
Withdrawing from a sector can be a strategic move to conserve resources or avoid conflict.

Action: Research

The Research action allows players to advance their civilization’s technology. Players spend science points to purchase technology tiles from the common pool, improving their civilization’s abilities.

New technologies can improve a player’s combat abilities, economic efficiency, or exploration prowess.
Advanced technologies also score victory points at the end of the game.
The strategic choice of which technologies to pursue can shape a player’s overall strategy.

Action: Build

The Build action allows players to construct spaceships, orbital structures, or monoliths by spending resources. The strategic use of the build action is crucial for both territorial expansion and military dominance.

Spaceships are used for exploration, combat, and defense.
Orbital structures can enhance a player’s economic or research abilities.
Monoliths provide substantial victory points at the end of the game.

Action: Move

The Move action allows players to move their spaceships between sectors. This action is key for exploration, territorial control, and engaging in combat with other players.

A successful attack can result in gaining control of an opponent’s sector.
Movement can also be used defensively to reinforce threatened sectors.

Action: Upgrade

With the Upgrade action, players can improve their spaceships by replacing their existing components with superior technologies they have researched. This can greatly enhance the effectiveness of a player’s fleet.

Upgraded ships can have advantages in combat, such as increased firepower or durability.
They may also gain unique abilities, such as faster movement or the ability to carry ground troops.

Each of these actions provides a myriad of strategic choices for the players. The interplay between these choices shapes the dynamic and complex gameplay of ‘Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy’.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy is a game of interstellar civilization, featuring player-controlled actions such as exploration, expansion, exploitation, and extermination. The game lasts for nine rounds. At the end of these nine rounds, the game concludes and the final scoring takes place.

Before the final scoring, players should make sure they have completed all actions for the ninth round, including resolving any combats and updating their influence discs. Once all actions, combats, and updates are resolved, the final scoring begins.

Victory Conditions:

The main objective of the game is to have the most victory points (VPs) at the end. Victory points can be earned through a variety of ways throughout the game, and the player with the most points after the final scoring is declared the winner.

Control of Hexes: Each player earns VPs equal to the number of hexes in their controlled territory.
Discovery Tiles: Players earn VPs as indicated on the Discovery Tiles they have collected.
Technology: Players earn VPs equivalent to the total number of different advanced technologies they have researched.
Monoliths: Each Monolith a player has built is worth 3 VPs.
Reputation Tiles: Players add the VPs from their Reputation Tiles. The amount of VPs on each tile varies.

Once all VPs are calculated, the player with the highest score is the winner. In case of a tie, the player with the most hexes in their territory wins. If there is still a tie, the player with the most discs left on their Influence Track wins. If a tie persists, the victory is shared.

It’s important to note that the game can also end prematurely if a player places their last influence disc on the Influence Track. In such a case, the game ends immediately and scoring is conducted as described above.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy is a game of epic space exploration and conquest. The scoring system reflects the different paths to victory a player can take, awarding points for territory control, scientific advancements, and military strength. It’s important to note that the game only concludes after nine rounds. Here’s how the points are awarded:

1. Territory control:

Each player receives 1 point for every hex they control. A hex is considered controlled if it has at least one of the player’s discs or ships.
Controlling the Galactic Center hex grants the player 3 points.

2. Scientific advancements:

Players receive points equal to the number of different advancements they have. The scoring for advancements is exponential, meaning the more unique advancements a player has, the more points they receive. For example, having four different advancements gives 10 points.

3. Military strength:

Players receive points for each square on the Reputation track they’ve reached by winning space battles. The more battles won, the higher a player climbs on this track and the more points they receive.

4. Discovery tiles:

Discovery tiles, which can be found by exploring new hexes, may grant additional points. The points vary based on the specific tile.

5. Monoliths:

Each Monolith built gives 3 points. Monoliths are advanced structures that can be built on controlled hexes.

6. Traitor card:

The player holding the Traitor card at the end of the game loses 2 points. This card is given to a player when they retreat from a battle.

After nine rounds, the player with the most points is declared the winner. If there’s a tie, the following tie-breaking rules apply:

The player with the most hexes controlled wins.
If there’s still a tie, the player with the most Discovery tiles wins.
If there’s still a tie, the player with the highest position on the Initiative track (which represents turn order) wins.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy is a complex game with many detailed and unique rules. Here are some important points:

Resource Management:

Even though players cannot trade resources, they can agree to pass on taking certain actions to save resources for others. However, this agreement is not binding.
If a player runs out of resources, they must immediately halt any ongoing actions that require the depleted resource.

Ship Upgrades:

When upgrading a ship, the player is not required to fill all available component slots. However, a ship must always have at least one Drive and one Hull.
Upgrades can be done in any order during the Upgrade action, allowing players to remove old parts before installing new ones.

Combat:

In the case of a tie in initiative during combat, the player with fewer ships goes first. If there is still a tie, the player who is earlier in the turn order goes first.
When a ship is destroyed during combat, its miniature is immediately removed from the game board, but its ship part tiles are only removed at the end of combat.

Exploration:

When exploring, a player can choose to not place the drawn hex. However, they will still need to face any Ancients or Discovery markers present on the hex.
When a player controls a hex with an Influence Disc, they cannot remove that disc if it would cause the player’s influence track to be full.

End of the Game:

The game can end prematurely if the Influence track or the ship part supply of any player is empty at the end of a game round.
At the end of the game, players score points for the hexes they control, their Reputation tiles, and their species’ special abilities.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy is a game of vast interstellar civilizations competing for success. Here are some tips, strategies, and common mistakes to avoid when playing this board game.

Advanced Strategies:

Research and Technology: Investing in research and technology early in the game can provide significant advantages later on. Technologies like Advanced Robotics or Advanced Economy can help you outpace your opponents in resource production.
Expansion: Space is massive, and Eclipse is no different. Expand your civilization but be careful not to overextend as it can leave your borders vulnerable.
Combat: Don’t shy away from combat. Even though it’s risky, it can yield substantial rewards. The key is to know when to engage and when to pull back.

Beginner Tips:

Resource Management: Resource management is one of the most critical aspects of Eclipse. Make sure to balance your resources effectively, utilizing them for both expansion and technological advancement.
Adapt to Your Civilization: Each civilization in Eclipse has its unique attributes and abilities. Learn how to make the most of your chosen civilization’s strengths and compensate for its weaknesses.
Understanding the Game Phases: Eclipse is played in rounds, each consisting of several phases. Understanding the sequence and purpose of each phase is crucial to optimizing your strategy.

Common Mistakes:

Overexpansion: While expanding your civilization is important, overexpansion can leave you vulnerable to attacks and spread your resources too thin.
Neglecting Research: Many beginners neglect the research aspect of the game. However, investing in technology can give you significant advantages in the long run.
Ignoring Defense: It’s easy to be caught up in expansion and forget about defense. Make sure to build up your defenses to protect your territory.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Plan Ahead: Eclipse is a game of strategy and foresight. Plan your moves ahead, considering not just the current round but the future ones as well.
Balance your Strategies: A balanced strategy involving research, expansion, and defense often leads to success. Don’t focus too much on one aspect at the expense of others.
Communication: Negotiating with your competitors can be a powerful tool. Forge alliances when necessary, but be ready to break them when the time is right.

Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy

About the game

Setup and rules summary