Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition

1. Setup

Build the map by combining galaxy tiles to fit the player count, then each player picks a faction with its own abilities and sets up a home system and a starting fleet. Set out the strategy cards and objective cards, then start the game with the first strategy phase.

2. Turn flow

Every round goes in this order: strategy phase (pick strategy cards), then action phase (players take turns performing one tactical, strategic, or component action, and the phase ends when everyone has passed), then status phase (reveal objectives, tidy up cards). Once someone takes Mecatol Rex and removes the custodians token, every round after that adds an agenda phase behind the status phase, where all players vote on agendas.

3. Key rules

You take planets to gain resources and influence, and you score victory points by completing public and secret objectives. Once someone takes Mecatol Rex at the center of the galaxy, an agenda phase opens every round after that, and the votes there pass laws that affect the rules of the whole game.

4. End condition

The first player to reach 10 victory points wins immediately. There is no set round limit, and players spend a long time expanding, fighting, and negotiating while stacking up victory points.