Finally got my copy of Twilight Imperium 4th Edition sorted after a 3 hour rules check.

Got it as a gift last Christmas. Tried to set it up with my group a couple times, but we always got bogged down in the political phase and combat. Last night, I just sat down alone with the rulebook and a notebook. Turns out I had the timing for when you can play action cards completely backwards. Felt like a real dummy, but hey, it's done. Anyone have a good trick for teaching the strategy phase to new players without their eyes glazing over?

3 comments

3 Comments

alex8208d ago

Skip explaining the strategy cards at all for the first round. Just deal them out randomly and tell everyone they get a bonus for having it. Let them see the primary ability fire off once as an example. The paralysis comes from trying to make an optimal choice before they even know what the game feels like. Seeing Warfare pop a command token or Technology hand out a free upgrade makes the abstract text real. They'll get the strategy next round when they pick.

fionanguyen8d ago

How do you even start explaining the strategy cards? I just tell new players to pick the one that matches what they want to do right now, not the best one. Saves a ton of time on the first round.

tessalane8d ago

My group's first game took 40 minutes just for that first pick, so your method is genius.