Twilight Imperium: Third Edition

2005

Experience the dynamic strategy game, Twilight Imperium Third Edition. Take the role of galactic civilizations, aiming to seize power through warfare, trade, and technological progression. Perfect for experienced gamers seeking a complex, fast-paced experience.

240
minutes

3 - 6
player(s)

14+

Heavy

About the game

Twilight Imperium: Third Edition is an epic empire-building board game of interstellar conflict, trade, and struggle for power. It is a game that’s as vast as the space it portrays, offering a uniquely immersive gaming experience.

The game transports players to a galaxy far, far away, where they take on the roles of ancient galactic civilizations, each seeking to seize the imperial throne via warfare, diplomacy, and technological progression. This is not just a game; it’s a grand narrative that unfolds over several hours of gripping gameplay.

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

Setting up the game of ‘Twilight Imperium: Third Edition’ involves several key steps. Follow this guide for a comprehensive tutorial on how to prepare for a game session.

Step 1: Player Roles

Each player is going to represent a different alien race, each with unique abilities. To determine roles:

Shuffle the race sheets and distribute one to each player.
Players should read their sheet to understand their race’s abilities and starting technologies.

Step 2: Board Placement

Creating the game board:

Place the Mecatol Rex system tile in the center of the play area.
Shuffle the other system tiles and arrange them face down in stacks.
Each player draws a system tile and places it adjacent to Mecatol Rex. Continue this process until the galaxy is fully formed.

Step 3: Home Systems

Each player will have a home system:

Locate the home system tile that matches your race.
Place this tile on the edge of the galaxy, equidistant from all other home system tiles.

Step 4: Initial Resources

Initial resources include:

Planets: Each player gains control of all planets in their home system.
Spaceships: Each player starts with a certain number of spaceships in their home system, as indicated on their race sheet.
Technology: Each player starts with the technologies listed on their race sheet.
Trade Goods: Each player starts with a number of trade goods equal to their race’s trade contract value.

Step 5: Random Elements

The following elements are randomized each game:

Objective Cards: Shuffle the objective deck and reveal the top six cards.
Action Cards: Shuffle the action deck and deal two cards to each player.
Politics Cards: Shuffle the politics deck and place it face down next to the game board.

Once these steps are completed, you are ready to begin playing ‘Twilight Imperium: Third Edition’. Enjoy the game!

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

During a player’s turn in Twilight Imperium: Third Edition, they may perform one of several actions. The choice of action can have significant strategic implications, affecting the player’s position, as well as the overall state of the game.

Strategy Phase

During the Strategy Phase, players select one of the available Strategy Cards. The choice of card determines the player’s initiative order for the Action Phase, and also grants a unique strategic action, which may be performed during the player’s turn in the Action Phase.

Action Phase

In the Action Phase, players take turns in initiative order. On a player’s turn, they may perform one of the following actions:

Tactical Action: This allows a player to activate a system, move ships into it, and potentially initiate combat with other players’ ships. A Tactical Action can also allow a player to produce units at a friendly space dock.
Strategic Action: This involves playing the Strategy Card chosen during the Strategy Phase. Strategic Actions can have a wide range of effects, such as allowing a player to claim additional resources, or to change the political landscape of the game.
Transfer Action: This allows a player to move ships and/or cargo between two neighboring systems that they control, without activating either system.
Pass: If a player chooses to pass, they cannot perform any further actions for the remainder of the Action Phase, but may still respond to other players’ actions where appropriate.

Status Phase

During the Status Phase, players perform a series of steps in order to prepare for the next game round. These steps include: refreshing planets, scoring objectives, and drawing Action Cards. The Status Phase is also when players can repair damaged ships and replenish their fleets.

Assembly Phase

In the Assembly Phase, players may influence the political landscape of the game by playing Political Cards. These cards can introduce new laws and edicts that change the rules of the game in some way, potentially providing advantages or disadvantages to certain players.

Each phase and action in Twilight Imperium: Third Edition can have profound strategic implications, and players must carefully consider their options at every turn. The choice of Strategy Card, the timing of actions, and the management of resources and fleets can all play a role in determining the winner of the game.

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

Twilight Imperium: Third Edition is a deep and strategic board game that challenges players to lead their civilization to galactic dominance. The game ends when a player reaches 10 victory points, or if the game round is completed after the last Public Objective card is revealed.

Players earn victory points through various ways, including:

Public Objectives: Each player can score points by fulfilling the conditions of Public Objective cards. These cards are revealed one per round, starting from the second round.
Secret Objectives: Each player has a unique Secret Objective card that only they can score. This card represents a specialized task that is unique to their civilization.
Special Objectives: These are objectives that are not available every game, but only when certain Strategy Cards are in play. For example, the Imperial Strategy Card allows a player to immediately score a Public Objective.

Before final scoring, players must prepare for the status phase. This involves several steps:

Qualify for Objectives: Starting with the player who has the Speaker token and going clockwise, each player declares which Public and/or Secret Objectives they qualify for and adjusts their score tracker accordingly.
Repair Damaged Ships: All damaged ships are repaired and returned to their upright position.
Refresh Planets: All exhausted planet cards are refreshed (turned face up).
Receive Action Cards: Each player draws Action Cards up to their hand limit.
Return Strategy Cards: All players return their chosen Strategy Cards to the common play area.

At the end of the game, the player with the most victory points wins. In case of a tie, the player with the most resolved Public and Secret Objectives wins. If there is still a tie, the player with the most leftover resources on their planets wins.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

The scoring system in ‘Twilight Imperium: Third Edition’ is based on the accumulation of Victory Points (VPs). Players earn VPs by achieving objectives throughout the game. The first player to reach 10 VPs wins. If multiple players reach 10 VPs in the same round, the player with the highest initiative order wins.

Acquiring Victory Points:

Victory Points can be gained in the following ways:

Public Objectives: These are objectives that are available for all players to achieve. They are revealed round by round and can be claimed by any player during the Status Phase if they meet the criteria.
Secret Objectives: At the beginning of the game, each player is dealt a secret objective that only they know. These objectives can be fulfilled and revealed during the Status Phase for points.
Imperial Strategy Card: This card allows a player to immediately claim a public objective if they meet the requirements, also granting the player 2 VPs. However, it can only be used once per game by each player.

Tie-breaking Rules:

If two or more players reach 10 victory points in the same round, the tie-breaker is determined by the player order. The player closest to the speaker (who has the lowest initiative order) is declared the winner.

Additional Scoring Considerations:

It’s important to note that objectives can only be claimed during the Status Phase of the game, with the exception of the Imperial Strategy Card. Furthermore, each public and secret objective can only be claimed once per player.

Finally, failing to meet an objective after claiming it will not reduce a player’s VPs, but they will not be able to claim that objective again in future rounds.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Twilight Imperium: Third Edition is a deep and complex strategy board game with a variety of unique and intricate rules. Here are some important rare rules, special rules, exceptions, and clarifications:

Special Systems: The Mecatol Rex, Home Systems, and Asteroid Field systems all have unique rules. For example, the Mecatol Rex system cannot be claimed by a player until they have fulfilled the necessary prerequisites, such as being the current holder of the Imperial Strategy Card.
Trade Good Rules: Trade goods can be used in a variety of ways including research, production, and commerce. However, they cannot be used to substitute for strategy counters or to pay for retreats.
War Sun Units: These are the most powerful units in the game. They require a specific technology to build, and they can move through and end their movement in supernova systems.
Retreat Rules: When retreating, a player must announce their intention to retreat at the beginning of the combat round, before any dice are rolled. The retreat does not occur until the end of the combat round.
Transfer Actions: This action allows a player to move ships between two adjacent systems they control. This is the only way to move ships without activating a system.
Political Cards: Political cards are drawn when the Politics Strategy Card is chosen. The player who chooses the card becomes the Speaker, but they do not automatically control the outcome of the political agenda. All players get to vote on the agenda.
Space Dock Rules: Space docks can only be built on planets, and only one space dock can be built per planet. Additionally, space docks do not count towards a player’s fleet supply limit.
Objective Cards: Objective cards are revealed throughout the game and provide players with ways to earn victory points. Some objectives are public, meaning they are available to all players, while others are secret and only known to the player who drew them.

It’s important to note that these are just a few of the many intricate rules and exceptions in Twilight Imperium: Third Edition. The game’s complexity and depth are part of what makes it so engaging and rewarding to play.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies for ‘Twilight Imperium: Third Edition’

1. Utilize Diplomacy Wisely: In Twilight Imperium, diplomacy is your best weapon. The ability to negotiate and form alliances can dramatically shift the power dynamics. Remember, alliances are not binding, use them to your advantage but don’t be surprised if they break.

2. Expand Slowly but Surely: Rapid expansion can leave your territories vulnerable. It’s better to slowly expand while making sure your borders are well defended.

3. Diversify Your Tech: Having a diverse tech tree can help you adapt to different situations. Don’t focus on one tech line, diversify and be prepared for any eventuality.

Beginner Tips for ‘Twilight Imperium: Third Edition’

1. Learn the Rules: Twilight Imperium is a complex game with many rules. Make sure to familiarize yourself with them before starting a game.

2. Practice Makes Perfect: This game requires a lot of strategy and understanding. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t win your first few games. Practice makes perfect.

3. Use Your Race’s Strengths: Each race has their own strengths and weaknesses. Make sure to use your race’s strengths to your advantage.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in ‘Twilight Imperium: Third Edition’

1. Ignoring the Politics: Politics plays a big role in Twilight Imperium. Ignoring it can leave you at a disadvantage.

2. Overexpansion: As mentioned earlier, expanding too quickly can leave your territories vulnerable. Expand slowly and ensure each territory is defended.

3. Neglecting the Tech Tree: The tech tree is important for your expansion and defense. Neglecting it can leave you vulnerable.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay in ‘Twilight Imperium: Third Edition’

1. Plan Your Moves: Twilight Imperium is a game of strategy. Plan your moves ahead of time and think about the consequences of your actions.

2. Use Your Actions Wisely: Each action you take is important. Make sure to use them wisely and think about how they will affect the game.

3. Keep an Eye on Your Opponents: Always keep an eye on what your opponents are doing. This can help you anticipate their moves and prepare accordingly.