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Seize the Imperium -  Core Set logo
Seize the Imperium -  Core Set logo

Seize the Imperium - Core Set

A strategy card game of space conquest to determine the next Emperor of the Galaxy!

Requirements

60-90
2-4
12+

Description

Concept

Seize the Imperium is a strategy card game of galactic conquest for 2-4 players including head-to-head dueling rules, and 5-6 player games. You'll assemble armadas and armies to win the game, but also politics and table deals play a part, as you can make alliances to help or hinder other players on your path to the top.

Background

The Emperor has died after a long and bloodied civil war, and you represent one of the key factions of the galaxy, vying to be fill the vacuum. Use World cards to generate points to allocate Fleets, Troops, Orbitals, and Installations to conquer and defend. They will also give you Resource counters to employ powerful Characters and use specialized Tactics to assure your edge in combat, and guarantee victory. Conquer others or buy your way with enough Victory Points to become the next Emperor or Empress of the Galaxy! Only one can rule!

Set-up

Each player has their own deck of 70 cards (50 Asset cards, 10 System cards, and 10 Character cards) from one of four different deck strategies, including: hard-hitting Capital Attack, carrier-launched Fighter Strike, fast and explosive Drone Onslaught, or troop rushing Ground Assault.

This game has all 4 Starter Decks included (280 cards), and is ready to play by itself (extra Starter decks may be purchased seperately to make different decks).

We recommend new players pair Capital Attack and Fighter Strike for best matched first decks. Later, players can combine cards from other Starter Decks to make their own themes and strategies; although we recommend playing with the Starter decks as is, until you get the hang of it.

The Starter Decks each come with 2 Cheater Cards for the rules, and the full rulebook can be downloaded here or at seizetheimperium.com.

Game Play

Cards of the Imperium

The System Deck

Players will have a System deck of 10 World cards, starting with 3 cards, one faceup as your Throne World card, and the other two facedown in your Reserve System Area. These World cards will generate Resource counters during the game, and deplete to provide Allocation points to play cards from the other decks. Defending and adding more World cards up to 20 Victory points is required to win. As it gets more expensive to buy more World cards, the easier route will be to conquer the other players.

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The Character Deck

Players will have a Character deck of 10 Character cards, starting with 3 cards, one faceup, and the other facedown all in your Character Area. The Character cards are allocated using Resource counters generated by your World cards. They will have both passive and active abilities to influence play. Additionally they can be depleted to gain upgraded actions from your Reaction cards unlocking game changing combos. You can decide against paying for more than your starting card, but the other players will get the upper hand with their Characters.

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The Asset Deck

The Asset Deck of the players has 50 cards combining both Unit cards and Reaction Tactics cards. The Unit cards are allocated by depleting your World cards to generate Allocation points to pay for them, placing that card at one of those World cards. The Unit cards include Fleets, Troops, Orbitals, and Installations. These will be used to defend your Worlds cards and conquer the other player's World cards.

The Reaction Tactics cards are used during the Conquest Actions when you are trying to defend your World cards, or take them from other players. Paying with them from Resource counters generated by World cards, you can change the tides of battles, and grasp victory from an obvious outcome sitting on the table before each of you.

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How to Play

Game Set Up

Resupply Phase

Allocation Phase

Reallocation Phase

Military Phase

Victory Phase

Components

Component Quantity Photo
Deck Box (Top And Sides Printed) 1 Deck Box (Top And Sides Printed) component icon
Seize the Imperium - Master Card Set 1 Seize the Imperium - Master Card Set component icon

Vitals

Average Rating 4 reviews
Publish Date February 22, 2022
Edition First
Department Games
Tags conquest magic the gathering star realms Sci-Fi Science Fiction Strategy Deck Building Robots cyborgs starships
More Info Seize the Imperium - Core Set web site

Why buy this?

  • The Core Set contains all 4 Starter Decks!
  • Build your own decks to devise new winning strategies!
  • Create themes from your favorite sci-fi movies and TV shows!

Related Games

Downloads

Notes

  • This game contains a premium upgrade called UV Coating that makes the printed components more durable.

Accolades

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See It In Action

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Ratings and Reviews

Posted 3 years ago
Own It Played It Fun Priced Well High Replay Value Nice Artwork

I was a playtester as well, and played it at several Protospiels and the local group. There is an ease of play that allows new people in, but still complex enough that the games don't get repetitive. ...

Posted 3 years ago
Played It Fun High Replay Value Well Written Rules Nice Artwork

I was a playtester for this game for a long time. I love the artwork and the atmosphere of the game. The planets feel like unique locations, and the characters feel like they're part of a story. I als...

Posted 3 years ago
Played It Fun High Replay Value Nice Artwork

Fun game to explore a world neglected by many other game systems - space opera! The wide array or art, and artist styles, make card reveals a little joy in itself. The ability to replay is also a plus...

Posted 3 years ago
Played It Fun High Replay Value Well Written Rules Nice Artwork

Played it at Protospiel in Bloomington! It was really fun to choose which planets and people to play with to win. You can go a lot of ways with strategy, and you better spend your resource counters wi...

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