My Space Fleet is Invincible! — Let's Play Twilight Imperium Third Edition

I pass.

The L1Z1X Mindnet passes.

`Hrist is up.

Pass on Bureaucracy and pass on my regular turn.

severian is up.

One minor problem on the map, I moved the Dreadnought to Tar'Mann also.

We activate Darien, and produce some ships, exhausting Meer and Gral for 5 resources.

1 PDS Unit - 2 resources
2 Ground Forces - 1 resource
2 Fighters - 1 resource
1 Destroyer - 1 resource


COMMAND COUNTERS
Command Pool: 2
Strategy Allocation: 2
Fleet Supply: 3
Activations: 0
Total in play: 9/16

PLANETS (Resources/Influence)
Darien – 2/4
Arinam - 1/2, Blue Tech Specialty
Meer - 4/0*
Centauri - 1/3
Gral - 1/1, Blue Tech Specialty
Tar'Mann - 1/1

UNITS (Deployed/Total)
Space Docks: 1/3, Darien x1
Ground Forces: Tar'Mann x2, Arinam x1, Meer x1, Centauri x1, Gral x1, Darien x2
Shock Troops: 0
PDS: 1/6, Darien x1
Fighters: Tar'Mann x4, Darien x2
Carriers: 2/4, Darien x1, Tar'Mann x1
Destroyers: 2/8, Tar'Mann x1, Darien x1
Cruisers: 0/8
Dreadnoughts: 1/5, Tar'Mann x1
War Suns: 0/2

Googleshng is up!

Moved the Dreadnought, but you can only build 4 units at Darien (2 for the Space Dock, 2 for the resources there).

Actually, here's the full rundown on how Space Docks work, as this issue has come up a couple times:

� Space Docks can be built for 4 resources on a planet you've controlled for the entire round. You have to activate a system to build one, and it's the very last thing you do. Only one Space Dock can be built per planet.
� Space Docks cannot produce units on the same round they're built, by any means.
� In any given activation, a Space Dock can build 2 units plus the resource value of their planet (and +1 for Enviro Compensator, if you have it).
� If you have multiple Space Docks in the same system, you can build at both of them during the same activation. Building units is the last thing you do.
� You can't build units when there are enemy ships in the same system as your Space Dock; it's considered blockaded in that event.
� Ground Forces and PDS units have to be placed on the same planet as the Space Dock building them. Ships must have sufficient Fleet Supply.
� When performing a Transfer Action, you can build in one of the two systems being activated, but not both.

I think that's everything!

So many little rules, it sure is a FFG game. I'll update my action after work, but will still be building ships. Google can still do his turn if he wants.

I know, right? It's a little nuts trying to keep them all straight. My usual go-to for FFG rules summaries hasn't made one for Twilight Imperium. I might just make one myself.

Having stayed up all night researching new tech, the gigantic brains are now sleeping in. Pass.

The Federation will spend a CC from Strategy Allocation and use its special ability to place 2 Ground Forces on Arcturus.

COMMAND COUNTERS
Command Pool: 3
Strategy Allocation: 2
Fleet Supply: 4
Activations: 2
Total in play: 11/16

severian is up!

Alright, Action 1. Instead of buying 6 cheap units, I will purchase one mid-range unit.

Buying 1 Dreadnought for 5 resources, exhausting the same 2 planets.

UNITS (Deployed/Total)
Space Docks: 1/3, Darien x1
Ground Forces: Tar'Mann x2, Arinam x1, Meer x1, Centauri x1, Gral x1,
Shock Troops: 0
PDS: 0/6,
Fighters: Tar'Mann x4
Carriers: 2/4, Darien x1, Tar'Mann x1
Destroyers: 1/8, Tar'Mann x1,
Cruisers: 0/8
Dreadnoughts: 2/5, Tar'Mann x1, Darien x1
War Suns: 0/2

And for Action 2, I will activate the Orange Wormhole above Tar'Mann, and move the Carrier from Darien up there. On the way, he will pick up the 4 Fighters and 2 Ground Forces from Tar'Mann

And as the Carrier moves into the space, Googleshng's Jol-Nar will get a chance to fire upon me with their PDS. Now, since we have a Trade Contract, and have been nice neighbors so far, I hope that Diplomacy will rein true. Or is that a different game?

And with this, the Yin Pass, pending any possible PDS fire to my little Cruiser. Status Phase begins! Below is my full stats, before I do any Status Phase chicanery.

CONSUMABLES
Action Cards: 3
Political Cards: 1
Trade Goods: 1

COMMAND COUNTERS
Command Pool: 1
Strategy Allocation: 2
Fleet Supply: 3
Activations: 3
Total in play: 9/16

PLANETS (Resources/Influence)
Darien – 2/4
Arinam - 1/2, Blue Tech Specialty
Meer - 4/0*
Centauri - 1/3
Gral - 1/1, Blue Tech Specialty
Tar'Mann - 1/1

TECHNOLOGIES OWNED
Hylar V Assault Laser
Automated Defense Turrets
Antimass Deflectors
XRD Transporters

UNITS (Deployed/Total)
Space Docks: 1/3, Darien x1
Ground Forces: Bottom Wormhole x2, Arinam x1, Meer x1, Centauri x1, Gral x1,
Shock Troops: 0
PDS: 0/6,
Fighters: Bottom Wormhole x4
Carriers: 2/4, Bottom Wormhole x1, Tar'Mann x1
Destroyers: 1/8, Tar'Mann x1,
Cruisers: 0/8
Dreadnoughts: 2/5, Tar'Mann x1, Darien x1
War Suns: 0/2

Trade Contracts
Yin 1 to Googleshng in exchange for Jol-Nar 1
Yin 1 to Lucas in exchange for Mentak 1

VICTORY POINTS: 1

Status Phase:

Planets Refreshed, Meer switched to normal

PLANETS (Resources/Influence)
Darien – 2/4
Arinam - 1/2, Blue Tech Specialty
Meer - 0/4
Centauri - 1/3
Gral - 1/1, Blue Tech Specialty
Tar'Mann - 1/1

2 Command Counters added, both added to Command.

COMMAND COUNTERS
Command Pool: 3
Strategy Allocation: 2
Fleet Supply: 3
Activations: 0
Total in play: 8/16

And one Action card drawn, number 83.

CONSUMABLES
Action Cards: 4

Action Card hand limit is 7, so no need to discard just yet.

Ready for Strategy!

Tempting as it is to maintain a policy of firing on anything that comes into range to just generally spread the message that we want everyone to keep away and let us study in peace, a carrier sitting in a wormhole whose other end connects to a planet already claimed by someone else, and stuck between me and a big ol' war sun whose owners I have not officially befriended is not the smartest thing to go blowing up for the heck of it.

I do have to wonder how you're taking two actions and immediately handling status phase stuff though. At least one other person hasn't passed yet haven't they?

He was revising his earlier action, then taking the one he was up for. Technically he had to wait until after my next action to pass, but it doesn't really mess anything up in this case.

Anyway, the Federation of Sol passes.

We are now in the Status Phase!

If you can qualify for your Secret Objective or wish to spend 3 CCs to claim the new Public Objective, do so before you move on to other things (before taking your 2 new CCs, for instance).

Here's a reminder of what you do during the Status Phase. I've struck steps that don't apply or which don't need to be done manually:

1. Each player may claim ONE Public Objective they qualify for, as well as their Secret Objective if they qualify for it; if any player reaches 10 points during this step, he or she wins immediately
2. Damaged ships are repaired
3. Command Counters on the board are removed to each player's reinforcements
4. Planets are refreshed
5. Each player receives 1 Action Card and 2 Command Counters
6. Command Counters may be redistributed between the Command Pool, Strategy Allocation and Fleet Supply
7. Strategy Cards are returned, and the game proceeds to a new Strategy Phase

Our current Public Objectives, both worth 1 Victory Point:

� I am blockading an opponent's Space Dock.

� I spend 3 Command Counters. (Googleshng, Sarcasmorator, Epithet)

Sorry, I looked at the list of everyone passing and thought everyone but me had passed. Sorry for jumping the gun! I think next time I'll wait for our Moderator to handle the administrative details.

That's fine, it wasn't a problem. However, I just took a look at your move again, and I'm afraid you can't move that Carrier from Darien because you activated the system on your previous action, when you built the Dreadnought, and ships can't move out of activated systems.

If you had done those two moves in reverse order (move first, then build) it would work out like you want. Since they don't directly affect what I or anyone else is doing this round, I don't have an objection to you reversing them, so long as no one else does.

The Federation of Sol will spend 1 CC from Command Pool and 2 from Strategy Allocation to claim the appropriate Public Objective.

I refresh my planets, then immediately exhaust Sumerian for 2 Trade Goods, as per its ability.

I draw Action Card 94 and 3 CCs, putting 1 in Strategy Allocation and 2 in Command Pool.

End of round status:

FEDERATION OF SOL — Sarcasmorator

SPECIAL ABILITIES
>As an Action, spend a Command Counter from Strategy Allocation to place 2 free Ground Forces on a planet you control.
>Receive 1 extra Command Counter during the Status Phase.

CONSUMABLES
Action Cards: 2
Political Cards: 0
Trade Goods: 2

COMMAND COUNTERS
Command Pool: 3
Strategy Allocation: 2
Fleet Supply: 4
Activations: 0
Total in play: 9/16

PLANETS (Resources/Influence)
Jord – 4/2
Vega Major – 2/1
Vega Minor – 1/2, Blue tech specialty
Lazar – 1/0
Sakulag – 2/1
Thibah – 1/1
Arcturus – 1/1
Sumerian – 2/2, Refresh Ability: 2 Trade Goods

TECHNOLOGIES OWNED
Antimass Deflectors
Cybernetics
XRD Transporters
Enviro Compensator

UNITS (Deployed/Total)
Space Docks: 2/3
Ground Forces: 7
Shock Troops: 0
PDS: 0/6
Fighters: 2
Carriers: 2/4
Destroyers: 1/8
Cruisers: 1/8
Dreadnoughts: 0/5
War Suns: 0/2

UNIT DEPLOYMENT
Jord: Space Dock x1
Jord space: Cruiser x1, Fighter x2
Vega Major: Ground Force x1
Vega Minor: Ground Force x1
Lazar: GF x1
Sakulag: GF x1
Beta Wormhole: Destroyer x1
Thibah: Carrier x1, Space Dock x1
Arcturus: Ground Force x3
Arcturus/Sumerian space: Carrier x1

TRADE CONTRACTS
Jol-Nar 3
Letnev 1

VICTORY POINTS: 2

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The L1Z1X Mindnet will not claim the objective.

The Mindnet takes 2 CCs, placing both in Command Pool, and draws Action Card 11.

End of round status:

THE L1Z1X MINDNET

SPECIAL ABILITIES
>The base cost of your Dreadnoughts is 4
>Your Dreadnoughts receive +1 during Space Battles, and your Ground Forces receive +1 when attacking during Invasion Combat
>You start with an extra Command Counter in Strategy Allocation

CONSUMABLES
Action Cards: 2
Political Cards: 2
Trade Goods: 3

COMMAND COUNTERS
Command Pool: 2
Strategy Allocation: 0
Fleet Supply: 4
Activations: 0
Total in play: 6/16

PLANETS (Resources/Influence)
[0.0.0.] – 5/0
Mellon – 0/2
Zohbat – 3/1, Blue tech specialty
Rigel I – 0/1
Rigel II – 1/2
Rigel III – 1/1, Blue tech specialty
Quann – 2/1, Green tech specialty

TECHNOLOGIES OWNED
Enviro Compensator
Stasis Capsules
Cybernetics
Hylar V Assault Laser
Deep Space Cannon

UNITS (Deployed/Total)
Space Docks: 1/3
Ground Forces: 7
Shock Troops: 0
PDS: 1/6
Fighters: 7
Carriers: 2/4
Destroyers: 1/8
Cruisers: 2/8
Dreadnoughts: 2/5
War Suns: 0/2

UNIT DEPLOYMENT
[0.0.0.] – Space Dock x1, Ground Force x1, PDS x1
[0.0.0.] space: Dreadnought x1, Cruiser x2, Destroyer x1, Fighter x2
Mellon: Ground Force x1
Zohbat: Ground Force x1
Mellon/Zohbat space: Dreadnought x1 (with 1 GF), Carrier x1, Fighter x2
Rigel I: Ground Force x1
Rigel II: Ground Force x1
Rigel III: Ground Force x1
Rigel Space: Carrier x1, Fighter x3

TRADE CONTRACTS
L1Z1X 1
L1Z1X 1

VICTORY POINTS: 1

It's up to everyone else. I'd like to reverse those moves, but I'm fine with just passing if that's fairer with everyone.

It might be simpler just to pass, because another rule is that you can't pick up units from activated systems (forgot this when I made the last post), so those Fighters and GF would actually have to stay put. On the plus side, you'll get that CC back if you leave the Carrier in Darien.

Once you've confirmed your decision, I'll post up the final Round 2 map.

I will pass on that last turn.

OK, here's the end-of-round map:



Here's the big version.

And the reference map.

Oops, couple of mistakes on that map, it turns out. I'll post up an updated version tonight.

It's hard to keep up with you guys!

I do not qualify for any public objectives nor my secret objective. I have the Speaker Token.

THE EMBERS OF MUAAT

SPECIAL ABILITIES
>Your War Suns have a base movement of 1 until you acquire Sarween Tools and Deep Space Cannon; once acquired, base movement is 2
>As an Action, spend one Command Counter from Strategy Allocation to place 2 free Fighters or 1 free Destroyer in any one system containing one of your War Suns
>You may move through, but not stop in, Supernova systems

CONSUMABLES
Action Cards: 3
Political Cards: 1
Trade Goods: 1

COMMAND COUNTERS
Command Pool: 2
Strategy Allocation: 1
Fleet Supply: 3
Activations: 2
Total in play: 8/16

PLANETS (Resources/Influence)
Muaat (4/1)
Lesab (2/1, Green Tech Spec)
Resculon (2/0)
Coorneeq (1/2, Red Tech Spec)
Velor (2/0, Red Tech Spec)
Lisis (2/2)
El'Nath (2/0, Blue Tech Spec)

TECHNOLOGIES OWNED
Enviro Compensator
War Sun
Sarween Tools

UNITS (Deployed/Total)
Space Dock - 1/3
Ground Forces - 8
Fighters: 4
Carriers: 1/4
Destroyers: 1/8
Cruisers: 1/8
Dreadnoughts: 1/5
War Suns: 1/2

UNIT DEPLOYMENT
Muaat - 1x Space Dock, 2x Dreadnought, 1x Destroyer, 2x Ground Force
El'Nath - 1x Carrier, 2x Fighter, 1x Ground Force, 1x Cruiser
Lisis/Velnor - 4x Ground Force (2x Lisis, 2x Velnor), 1x War Sun, 2x Fighters
Coorneeq - 1x Ground Force
Lesab - Control Marker
Resculon - Control Marker

TRADE CONTRACTS
1 Letnev
2 Sardakk N'or

VICTORY POINTS: 1

Just to double check, having already grabbed the Spend 3 victory condition, I'm done with it, right? I can't just horde CCs and drop 3 more on it every turn?

Drawing card 59, and adding my 2 CCs to Strategy Allocation.

End of Round Full Status Report:

CONSUMABLES
Action Cards: 2
Political Cards: 0
Trade Goods: 1

PLANETS (Resources/Influence)
Jol – 1/2
Nar – 2/3
Capha – 3/0
Arnor 2/1
Lor 1/2 (Red Tech Specialty)
Starpoint 3/1
New Albion 1/1 (Green Tech Specialty)
Mehar Xull 1/3 (Blue Tech Specialty)

COMMAND COUNTERS
Command Pool: 1
Strategy Allocation: 2
Fleet Supply: 2
Activations: 0

UNITS
Jol/Nar - Space Dock x1, Fighter x2, Ground Forces x2 (1 on each)
Starpoint/New Albion - Ground Forces x1 (New Albion), PDS x1 (Starpoint), Carrier x1, Dreadnought x1
Mehar Xull - PDS x1, Ground Forces x3, Carrier x1, Fighter x1, Dreadnought x1

TRADE CONTRACTS
Yin 1
Sol 2

TECHNOLOGIES OWNED
Hylar V Assault Laser
Deep Space Cannons
Magen Defense Grid
Antimass Deflectors
XRD Transporters
Cybernetics
Enviro Compensator
Sarween Tools

VICTORY POINTS: 2

That's correct. Each player may claim each Public Objective once, and only once (except in the case of objectives that end the game, since the first player to claim one wins). And only the player who holds a Secret Objective can claim it, even after it's revealed.

Placing my retrieved counter back into my tableau, and evening out the distribution.

COMMAND COUNTERS
Command Pool: 3
Strategy Allocation: 3
Fleet Supply: 3
Activations: 0
Total in play: 9/16

Spending 1 CC from the command pool and two from Strategy Allocation to purchase a Victory Point

Drawing Action Card 38 and two CCs, placing one in Command Pool and one in Strategy Allocation.

COMMAND COUNTERS
Command Pool: 2
Strategy Allocation: 1
Fleet Supply: 3

CONSUMABLES
Action Cards: 2
Political Cards: 2
Trade Goods: 2

PLANETS
Quinarra – 3/1
Tren’lak – 1/0
Ashtroth 2/0
Abbadon 1/0 (red tech specialty)
Loki 1/2
Perimeter 2/2
Vefut II 2/0 (red tech specialty)

UNITS (Deployed/Total)
Home space - Fighter x3, Cruiser x1
Quinarra - PDS x1, GF x1, Space Dock x1
Perimeter space - Cruiser x1, Dreadnought x1, Carrier x1
Perimeter - GF x3
Vefut II - Carrier x1, Fighter x1, GF x1

TECHNOLOGIES OWNED
Hylar V Assault Laser
Deep Space Cannons

TRADE CONTRACTS
Mentak 1
Muaat 2

Victory Points: 2

We're not quite there yet (`Hrist and Lucas still have to make their Status Phase posts), but for the Strategy Phase the order for choosing will be as follows:

1. Egarwaen (SPEAKER)
2. Epithet
3. Lucas
4. `Hrist
5. Sarcasmorator
6. Googleshng
7. Severian
8. L1Z1X Mindnet

The L1Z1X remain out of the normal order for the same reasons as before. Keep in mind that while I'm playing them as mostly benign expansionists, I may have them go after any totally undefended planets I see within range to simulate some of the threat a real player would present. So mind your borders!

Before I post my status, I just want to make sure I'm absolutely clear on this: the public objectives stay on the table for the rest of the game and can be claimed whenever we want*, right?

*Where "whenever we want" means "on any turn during the appropriate phase," of course.

They do indeed!